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What Happens When Our Kids Leave School...for Good?
As a parent to two boys with autism, I think about what their futures look like after high school...constantly. My eldest son, Kyle, will be a junior in high school this year. We have actively been planning for his future for the past year. Kyle is lucky in that he has made massive gains through his autism since his "gloom and doom" diagnosis 13 years ago. He is very bright, practically a straight-A student in all of his classes, and will begin a 3-D Computer Animation program at East Valley Institute of Technology, EVIT, next week. Kyle most definitely needs to polish those social skills and increase his independence, but he is on his way (his subtle sense of humor is a big plus, too). To better his skills, he is currently taking cooking lessons with Chef W Rieth at Square One and has even done a cooking demonstration with Chef W at the Farmer's Market in Gilbert.
I count my blessings with Kyle. He has worked so hard to overcome his challenges and I marvel at his strength. Kyle's journey causes me to constantly reflect on what the future holds for other children and young adults with autism. Like Kyle, many of those on the spectrum will not qualify for long-term Medicaid, ALTCS, or Social Security Disability (and rightly so!). Neither will he and others like him need to be placed under guardianship at the age of 18 (it is not even a consideration for Kyle). However, without the really active involvement of a parent constantly pushing him to the max, he would likely be lost.
Kyle is not prepared yet for a job, or to navigate college. He is one of thousands of people on the autism spectrum that could fall into a huge crevasse after high school: He does not qualify for further government services, but he is not prepared to tackle the challenges of the world on his own. However, he absolutely has the skills and the potential to be completely independent. Kyle can and will be successful in a career of his choosing; he will be a taxpayer, not dependent on the system. I will make sure of it. Our family has been working on his transition out of high school and into adulthood for years. I state these facts about Kyle so openly because I want the same for as many individuals with developmental disabilities as possible. Have you investigated what you will do for your child's transition? Please do not count on the school system or the state to do it for you, as they are failing miserably at it (thus the 90% unemployment rate of people with autism).
There is a bright spot on the horizon! Those in education and government are slowly waking up to the transition needs of people like Kyle:
Senator Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., in the U.S. Senate recently introduced a bill "that would fund research to determine the most effective
interventions and support services for young people aging out of the school
system. The legislation calls for the creation of a national strategic action
plan and would provide grants to train “transition navigators” who would help
youth with disabilities access the supports they need to live independently.
"Currently, many individuals with disabilities lose access to needed services
when they finish high school.
"Though Menendez highlighted the increasing number of individuals with autism
who are entering adulthood in bringing forward his proposal, the bill he
introduced addresses the need for housing, employment, transportation and other
services for individuals with all types of developmental disabilities.
“For too many young people with autism spectrum disorders, the end of high
school means the end of the support and skills training they need to succeed in
the new world of adulthood,” said Menendez in unveiling the legislation known as
the Assistance in Gaining Experience, Independence and Navigation Act of 2013,
or the AGE-IN Act. “We need a national response to ensure that resources are
available to enable these young adults to lead the productive, fulfilling lives
they deserve.”
Here is a direct link to information about this legislation on Senator Menedez' website:
Please take a moment to email your senators to ask them to support Sen. Menendez' legislation.
In Arizona, our Senators are Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jeff Flake. To contact Sen. McCain, follow this link: Contact Sen. John McCain
To contact Se. Jeff Flake, follow this link: Contact Sen. Jeff Flake
To find your senators in another state, please follow this link: Find my U.S. Senators
Thanks to the disability scoop for sharing the efforts of Senator Menendez!
