Making The Transition: What's It Like When Autistic Children Grow Up?

"About one in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder", the Centers for Disease Control say — and the choice to use the word "children", as opposed to "people" is kind of typical. Whether in the media or in personal conversations, the term "autism" is most often associated with the term "children", for some reason. But autism spectrum disorder is lifelong, and autistic children necessarily grow up to become autistic adults. 

1. Autism is a huge spectrum

Previously grouped under multiple diagnoses, what's now called "autism spectrum disorder" in the DSM-5 that clinicians use as a diagnostic tool encompasses a huge spectrum. Hence the term "spectrum"! This spectrum, common to so many, includes people who are indeed autistic but who have been able to pass as neurotypical (non-autistic) to the point that they weren't diagnosed with anything until well into adulthood. It includes people who cannot communicate without augmentative and alternative communication devices, which is a hurdle that in no ways means they do not have thoughts to share with the world. It includes people who are depressed or anxious, and asthmatic or wheelchair users, or epileptic, or have any number of medical conditions as well as being autistic. It includes people who absolutely thrive as long as they're in an environment they do well in. It includes people who have minor sensory issues and those with major sensory struggles. There's those who have mastered the rules of neurotypical social behavior and those who haven't. 

2. The transition to adulthood may be stressful for autistic people

The autism spectrum is partially defined by a love of routines and rituals and distress when faced with change. There's no change quite like the transition from childhood to adulthood — not just because of the inherent change involved, but also because in many jurisdictions, adulthood signifies aging out of support services an autistic person has relied on so far. Research reveals that parents of autistic children are really concerned about this transition, and rightfully so. The transition to adulthood is stressful and can lead to anxiety in all family members.

3. Adults with autism are often unemployed or underemployed

Various studies have shown that autistic adults are often either unemployed — at a rate of up to 50 percent, much higher than the unemployment rate among non-autistic people — or underemployed, meaning their jobs don't match their level of education, or sometimes that they're only able to get part-time jobs when they'd love to work full-time. This fact doesn't, research indicates, have anything to do with cognitive ability. Rather, autistic adults face challenges in the workplace because of social communication differences, medical issues that often overlap with autism like epilepsy, because their behavior is a bit different, because they're women, and also because they're not sure how to look for jobs. 

4. Autistic adults are often lonely

Several studies examining this topic have found that autistic adults find themselves socially isolated more often than neurotypical adults, having few friends in their lives. The ideas that autistic people aren't social, don't have empathy, or don't crave friendship are shockingly common, but they're not true. Autistic adults who do have meaningful social relationships are less likely to become depressed, and feel more satisfied with life. 

On the other hand, one survey found that 56 percent of autistic adults over the age of 26 were living with a romantic partner — and romantic relationships can do a lot to combat loneliness! 

A final word

Living in a world in which most people you encounter are fundamentally different from you — in the way you think, feel, need, and behave — is not easy in any way. It is no wonder that autistic adults are likely to face significant challenges as they begin to navigate this landscape more or less on their own. 

A supportive environment respectful of the needs of autistic people can, however, make all the difference. Autistic adults can thrive. They can hold jobs, including jobs at their (often very high) cognitive level that they're entirely satisfied with. They can form romantic relationships and start families of their own. To be successful as adults, autistic people often simply need to "find their tribe" and an environment that allows them to function optimally — pretty much like people who aren't autistic, but with some more stigma with real-life consequences along the way.