Teens and Adults

As your child enters his adolescent years, expect him to find this time period challenging, if not downright difficult. After all, even kids who aren't on the spectrum are daunted by the formidable transition between childhood and adulthood, and it's even trickier for those who are autistic.

Autistic teens are befuddled by physical and hormonal changes in their bodies, by developing social circles and by increasing contact with the world at large. They're also wrestling with complicated emotions.

Adolescence is when, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, they “may become painfully aware that they are different from their peers,” a realization they may not be fully prepared to face. As a result, they may appear to regress, acting out and exhibiting behaviors, such as hitting or rocking, they may have conquered long ago.

Riding an Emotional Rollercoaster

Your child may lean on you more as he navigates the years ahead so prepare for the rollercoaster of emotions on which he may soon embark. Let him know that you're there to guide him through any situation he may find uncomfortable. Ask the opinions of his teachers, who will help him master new skills so he'll be better equipped to interact with his peers and take on bigger responsibilities.

Teen mentoring programs such as the one run by the University of Washington Autism Center can teach him or her how to be more comfortable in social situations so he or she will know how to move in environments that may not be as familiar as home or school. You may also want to consider sending your child to a summer program especially designed for autistic teens, such as the Talisman Camp or the Stone Mountain School, both in North Carolina, where he can meet other teens on the spectrum.

With ample support and encouragement, your child stands a good chance of overcoming the initial pressures and in time, he'll learn how to adjust to his shifting landscape.

Stepping into Adulthood

Once your child is an adult, his options will depend on how high functioning he is. When he has “aged out” of public school, a vocational training program may be the next best step.

Depending on his capabilities, he may excel at jobs that require enormous amounts of concentration but limited intense interaction with others, such as computer programming or graphic design. Or, he may prefer to do something more repetitive, such as filing. If he's academically rigorous, college may be the answer. (Temple Grandin, an autism activist who's on the spectrum herself, is a renowned professor of animal science.)

In short, he or she is only truly limited by his or her own abilities and interests, which holds true whether one is autistic or not.

Managing the Adult Years

Rearing a child on the spectrum is difficult enough. But planning for that child's adult years may be even harder to manage.

If you're worried about that challenge, you're probably right to be: As with other issues related to the spectrum disorder – treatment, intervention – more research needs to be done on how to support autistic adults so they can thrive and lead full lives.

That said, there is cause for encouragement: For one, the care your child is receiving now can go a long way toward ensuring he or she grows up to become a capable, if not completely self-reliant, adult. Although it's hard to predict if she or he will grow out of the spectrum completely, early and multi-pronged intervention will greatly help him or her navigate the world.

Nevertheless, it pays to plan ahead, whether your child has been diagnosed with severe autism or is considered high functioning.

Financials First

To start with, make sure your adult child has been signed up for any and all of the government benefits to which he's entitled, including Social Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Paying for his or her future needs can become expensive, and if your child is qualified for the aid -- which is determined by the Social Security Office by examining his or her monthly income (contact your local branch for more information) -- he or she has every right to avail himself of it.

Also look into your insurance plan to see if it will cover the steep cost of long-term care. Though you may encounter obstacles because of your child's pre-existing condition, consider switching to another carrier if the one you currently have offers lackluster benefits.

Be sure to make provisions for your child in writing. That means drawing up a will that clearly delineates what will happen to him or her – including who should be his or her guardian (check first with the person you name, of course) -- should you and your partner no longer be around to provide care.

If you have significant assets, consult a financial planner or estate lawyer who can help you set up a Supplemental Needs or Special Needs Trust that will specifically address how your child can benefit from your bequeathal without compromising any governmental aid. Financial experts can also advise you on the tax advantages of the Intervivos Special Needs Trust, which will allow your child to tap into it while you're still around.

And if you don't yet have a nest egg built up for your child's future, it's never too late to start; your accountant or financial planner can help you investigate the myriad ways you can begin to put away money.

Home Away From Home

Next, examine your child's options when it comes to adult living arrangements. If he or she is unable to live alone, you may want to start thinking about which establishment would provide the best fit.

For a more homey feel, a “skill development” home may be a good choice; it's usually the residence of a family that embraces people with disabilities. A “supervised group home” will foster your child's independence, while ensuring his or her basic needs – meals and housekeeping, for example – are met by trained staff members.

Adults who are profoundly autistic may need to enter a facility where they can be supervised and tended to around the clock. Though it may be heartbreaking to consider this option, it may help to know that many of them now provide excellent care and are not at all like the neglectful or clinical institutions of the past. The key, of course, is picking the right one for your child.