Laura, I appreciate and value your writing and how much you are giving back to the autism/neurodiverse community by sharing your journey and hard earned learning. The first sentence of this post took me aback:
“With the right help in school and at home, most autistic students should be thriving in mainstream classrooms by the time they get to high school.”
I have a 25-year old son with autism and have worked for a social services organization that supports individuals with special needs throughout their lifespan. This statement is factually false for the individuals with autism across the spectrum. Your belief is based on your son and individuals who have higher cognitive skills and lean toward the Asperger’s side of the spectrum.
Some individuals with autism are capable of performing well in mainstream classrooms, not most. Not all individuals with mild to higher functioning autism belong in college…or want to go to college. This goes for the neurotypical population as well. Some can benefit more from transition programs that prepare them for supportive and/or competitive employment like my son.
So words matter as you know. I would avoid generalizations can that both mislead or hurt families with children on the spectrum.
Hi Nancy -- Thanks so much for you comment. I hear you.
I actually put a lot of thought into that first sentence. I thought about starting off with statistics to back up that "most autistic students" statement, but I took it out for stylistic reasons. Okay, so let me do it here...
Actually, the statistics now show that slightly more than half of all children with autism have average to above average IQs. That's because they've gotten rid of the Asperger's label and now put everything together in one category. Also, parents have gotten better about getting their lower needs kids labelled and diagnosed. Autism without an intellectual disability is the highest growth area in autism in my state, and I assume, around the country.
There are a lot of flavors of autism, for sure, and I think it's important to provide support and resources to ALL kinds of autism. The academically gifted kids have plenty of other struggles. I hear from their parents all the time. I have to give my support to them one week, and then talk about other flavors of autism another week.
I'm working on a book right now. I have a chapter for kids who are going to Dartmouth, and a chapter for kids who would like a social/work/trade routes. I think it's possible to talk about all of that. I don't understand why that would hurt or mislead any parent.
Thank you for your response. Slightly over half is not equivalent to “most”. I don’t know whether your book will have end notes, but I would provide a reference for your statistic.
What I would really like to see statistics on is the longer term benefit of community college for young adults with autism in terms of job placement, earning potential, etc.
Our son never wanted to go to college and couldn’t wait to work. (His sister on the other hand just graduated from medical school and is training to become a pediatric neurologist.) I’ve seen quite a few individuals on the spectrum with moderate IQs (75-85 approx) who went to college, but ended up with the same jobs that they would have had without college. If parents have the financial resources for this and if their kids gain confidence, social skills and greater independence, it’s great. But as with neurotypical kids, college is not the answer or path for everyone.
A hundred million times agree. College is not for everyone. My oldest kid is typical, but probably should have gone a different route. Everybody should follow their own route after high school -- college, work, or whatever. High schools should do a better job of promoting all options.
Some autistic kids might thrive in college, whether in a special IDD program or a typical college. I want them to know those options. Other kids should have different options, and I want them to know those options, too.
For the kids who love college, parents can treat it as a day program. Honestly, all 20 somethings are having trouble on the job market right now. Kids with autism are having an even worse time. College might be a great place to hide out when there are few options for employment. It's affordable if parents know how to work the system.
Your son is lucky to have you, too! Fighter moms are the best!
Laura, I appreciate and value your writing and how much you are giving back to the autism/neurodiverse community by sharing your journey and hard earned learning. The first sentence of this post took me aback:
“With the right help in school and at home, most autistic students should be thriving in mainstream classrooms by the time they get to high school.”
I have a 25-year old son with autism and have worked for a social services organization that supports individuals with special needs throughout their lifespan. This statement is factually false for the individuals with autism across the spectrum. Your belief is based on your son and individuals who have higher cognitive skills and lean toward the Asperger’s side of the spectrum.
Some individuals with autism are capable of performing well in mainstream classrooms, not most. Not all individuals with mild to higher functioning autism belong in college…or want to go to college. This goes for the neurotypical population as well. Some can benefit more from transition programs that prepare them for supportive and/or competitive employment like my son.
So words matter as you know. I would avoid generalizations can that both mislead or hurt families with children on the spectrum.
Hi Nancy -- Thanks so much for you comment. I hear you.
I actually put a lot of thought into that first sentence. I thought about starting off with statistics to back up that "most autistic students" statement, but I took it out for stylistic reasons. Okay, so let me do it here...
Actually, the statistics now show that slightly more than half of all children with autism have average to above average IQs. That's because they've gotten rid of the Asperger's label and now put everything together in one category. Also, parents have gotten better about getting their lower needs kids labelled and diagnosed. Autism without an intellectual disability is the highest growth area in autism in my state, and I assume, around the country.
There are a lot of flavors of autism, for sure, and I think it's important to provide support and resources to ALL kinds of autism. The academically gifted kids have plenty of other struggles. I hear from their parents all the time. I have to give my support to them one week, and then talk about other flavors of autism another week.
I'm working on a book right now. I have a chapter for kids who are going to Dartmouth, and a chapter for kids who would like a social/work/trade routes. I think it's possible to talk about all of that. I don't understand why that would hurt or mislead any parent.
Hi Laura,
Thank you for your response. Slightly over half is not equivalent to “most”. I don’t know whether your book will have end notes, but I would provide a reference for your statistic.
What I would really like to see statistics on is the longer term benefit of community college for young adults with autism in terms of job placement, earning potential, etc.
Our son never wanted to go to college and couldn’t wait to work. (His sister on the other hand just graduated from medical school and is training to become a pediatric neurologist.) I’ve seen quite a few individuals on the spectrum with moderate IQs (75-85 approx) who went to college, but ended up with the same jobs that they would have had without college. If parents have the financial resources for this and if their kids gain confidence, social skills and greater independence, it’s great. But as with neurotypical kids, college is not the answer or path for everyone.
Ian is very lucky to have you as his Mom!
A hundred million times agree. College is not for everyone. My oldest kid is typical, but probably should have gone a different route. Everybody should follow their own route after high school -- college, work, or whatever. High schools should do a better job of promoting all options.
Some autistic kids might thrive in college, whether in a special IDD program or a typical college. I want them to know those options. Other kids should have different options, and I want them to know those options, too.
For the kids who love college, parents can treat it as a day program. Honestly, all 20 somethings are having trouble on the job market right now. Kids with autism are having an even worse time. College might be a great place to hide out when there are few options for employment. It's affordable if parents know how to work the system.
Your son is lucky to have you, too! Fighter moms are the best!