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The Post School Outcomes of Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2016

Michael Burrows ,
Jerry Ford  and
Verity Bottroff
Michael Burrows
Affiliation:
Flinders University of South Australia
Jerry Ford*
Affiliation:
Flinders University of South Australia
Verity Bottroff
Affiliation:
Flinders University of South Australia
*
Correspondence to: Dr. Jerry Ford, Department of Disability Studies, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, S.A. 5001
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Abstract

This study presents a broad picture of the post school outcomes of 28 young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder living in South Australia. Findings from the study suggest that the majority of the participants still have a long way to go to reach the goal of meaningful participation in the economic and social life of their local communities. Most of the young adults had limited social networks and were highly dependent on their families for tangible and emotional support. While many of the participants were regularly Involved in structured recreational and leisure activities, the majority were unemployed and still living with their families. Individuals with higher levels of cognitive functioning generally had better outcomes than those identified as functioning at a lower cognitive level. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for practice and further research.

Type
Research Article
Information
Australasian Journal of Special Education , Volume 25 , Issue 1-2 , 2001 , pp. 34 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © The Australian Association of Special Education 2001

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