One of the most common misconceptions about autism is that people with the disorder are unable to live “normal” lives.

 

You have hopes for your child as a parent. This is natural and even beneficial, but when your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, those dreams may change. The diagnosis means you and your child will need to change how you and your child approach social situations, education, and daily life, but does this mean they will never be able to live independently? No, not always. Adults with autism can live independently, but only under certain conditions.

Various Degrees of Independence

It is critical to understand that a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder does not preclude your child from dating, making friends, attending college, getting married, becoming a parent, or having a fulfilling career. What an ASD diagnosis means is that your child will develop differently than people who do not have ASD.

Functional communication.

Communication is an important part of independent living, whether your child is at work, living with roommates or a spouse, or simply out and about running errands. If your child is having difficulty communicating, these skills can be taught and may not be a barrier to their independence as they grow older.

Skills for Independent Living

To assist your child in living a “normal” adult life (defined as one in which they are independent in all aspects of daily living), they will need to be able to dress, take the bus to work, go to the movies, meet new friends, and so on.

These abilities can take some time to develop. You can ensure that your child’s education includes the following independent living skills by having them assessed early on:

• Life skills: using the toilet, dressing, and eating
• Functional skills: shopping, catching the bus, or scheduling appointments
• Leisure or recreational skills: going to the library or engaging in group sports
• Job and vocational skills: time management and interacting with coworkers
• Social or interpersonal skills: social, job, and romantic interactions
• Technology skills: using a smartphone or making an online purchase

Right Support

Everyone requires life support; even people who do not have autism require some level of assistance from others. Different levels of support can accompany an independent person with autism, whether it is a spouse who is aware of some of their partner’s struggles as a result of ASD or a specialized caregiver who can assist your child living on their own.

 

People with autism are frequently capable of living independently. However, your child may need to be taught some important skills in order for this to be done correctly. Nurture Pods spends time with each of our patients to tailor our ABA therapy programs to their specific needs. We believe that even small changes in their lives can have a big impact on their communities. Contact us today for more information on our programs!

 

Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 2 May 2023