The great transition

The great transition

The world is witnessing an incredible social phenomenon of historic significance taking place right before our eyes. While the events surrounding this massive change may not attract international attention, the impact will have lasting consequences. Thousands of teenagers on the autism spectrum are moving quickly toward adulthood, with much anticipation and uncertainty. Institutions like colleges, financial services, government agencies, and assisted living are starting to take notice. With millions of young people around the world living with autism, addressing their long-term needs will be a focus in the coming years. While the transition to adulthood is not unique in and of itself, the sheer number of people on the autism spectrum is striking at this point in history. Unlike previous generations, our world today is more accepting, open, and tolerant of people with disabilities of all types. Additionally, due to the wide range of abilities found in the autism community, unique talents are often viewed as complementary in educational and employment environments.

The maturation of the autistic community will have a significant impact on key sectors of society as we move into the mid-21st century. Sectors such as healthcare, financial services, technology and housing are among the industries that will see countless changes. Employment is an important concern for adults on the spectrum who want to live, but future hiring trends will be tied to technological changes more than we realize. As a result, technology is the central focus for autistic people entering adulthood, and the impact on future lives is enormous. The connection between the tech industry and the autism community is indeed strong, as evidenced by the support of some industry leaders. Solutions are currently being sought to improve the quality of life of people with autism.

Tech giants Microsoft and Google are pioneering initiatives to find ways to improve eye contact and socialization among autistic people, dramatically changing their life experience. Health care delivery will also change significantly as autistic adults enter the system without the protective shield of parental care. Additionally, the need for community-based healthcare will soon become a hot topic as individuals on the spectrum seek independent living options in assisted living, group homes, and assisted living. Certainly, the way in which members of the autism community receive medical care needs to change, as issues such as communication barriers, transportation, sensory deficits, and situational anxiety need to be addressed.

The remaining quadrants of the autism transition involve areas that are related to each other but are treated as separate topics. The first concerns the complex issue of financial planning for adults with special needs. As members of the autism population age, some inherit the proceeds of trusts and retirement accounts set up by parents. However, the future for many others is much more uncertain as the funds intended for long-term financial security are simply not available. This is a tremendous opportunity for the financial services industry to educate autistic families about the intricacies of money management.

The final piece of the puzzle is accommodating millions of adults on the autism spectrum as parents age and are no longer able to provide home care. Siblings and other family members will take on the role of caretaker in many cases - but not always. As previously mentioned, the assisted living industry is beginning to recognize the potential of long-term housing for autistic adults from a business perspective. The industry must collectively leverage technology and create an environment that improves the quality of life for autistic residents. Additionally, independent life decisions must take into account sensory and perceptual concerns in order to fully realize the benefits of life.

Inspired by George David Williams