Autism Beyond Childhood: Why Adult Support Needs More Attention
Attributed to Dr. Gowri Ravi Chinthalapalli, Consultant, Child Development, KIMS Hospitals (Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences), Bengaluru
Autism, when heard, feels like a childhood condition diagnosed early, managed through therapy, and gradually “outgrown”. However, as a clinician, this perception is far from reality, as it doesn’t do away with age. As it is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, adults with autism need just as much understanding and support.
With kids, people are more aware of what they need. They help them in a very organised way. Parents are also very involved in their lives. Kids can get help like speech therapy and behavioural therapy. Schools often provide some support too. When they become adults, all of this help and support starts to disappear. A lot of adults with autism have to figure things out on their own in a world that is not made for people with autism.
One of the concerns in adults is that they do not get diagnosed. A lot of people who have mild symptoms do not get diagnosed when they are kids. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder may have a time with social interactions, talking to people, or dealing with sensory issues, and they do not know why this is happening to them. When Autism Spectrum Disorder individuals finally ask for help as adults, they might already be dealing with mental health problems like feeling anxious, being depressed, or feeling completely exhausted from autism spectrum disorder.
Finding a job is a challenge for autistic adults. Many autistic adults are very skilled at what they do and can do many things. However, they often find it hard to work in regular offices. Job interviews, talking to people at work, and dealing with sights and sounds can be very difficult. Without the right support, autistic adults might struggle to get or keep a good job, which can affect how they feel about themselves and their ability to take care of themselves. Autistic adults need assistance to find and maintain employment. Overall, employment remains a challenge for autistic adults.
Social isolation is a problem. Adults with autism need a lot of time to make friends and keep those friends. This can make them feel really lonely. Sometimes society does not think about people who are different. People forget that everyone is unique, and it puts a lot of pressure on adults with autism to be like everyone else. It should be the way around; we should make sure adults with autism have a place where they can be themselves and feel welcome. Adults with autism need to feel like they belong and that they have friends who like them for who they are. Social isolation is a problem for adults with autism.
There is also a gap in care for adults. Most healthcare systems focus on autism in children, which means adults have limited access to specialists who understand their needs. This gap delays the help and support for adults. Most healthcare systems are designed for kids, not adults. This can make it hard for adults to get the care and support they need.
Workplaces can also do more to help. They can make changes like:
- Being flexible
- Communicating
- Creating spaces that’re not too overwhelming
As doctors, caregivers and as a society, we have to change how we think about autism. We should not stop supporting people with autism as they grow up.
By helping adults get what they need, we can help them live more on their own, have satisfying lives and feel more respected. Autism support should not just focus on kids; autism support is needed for adults, too. Autistic adults need autism support throughout their lives.
