-
The Right to the Ordinary: Money, Choice, and Dignity for Autistic Adults
Andrew recently spent a night in New York City. It was a staycation — a Broadway show, dinner in Manhattan, an overnight stay at a Times Square hotel, and shopping for souvenirs. Andrew is a young autistic man supported by AABR, and during this particular trip, something new was in his...
-
Supporting Financial Literacy in Autistic Adults Through Neurodiversity-Affirming Life Coaching
Why Is Financial Literacy Important? Financial literacy, or the ability to understand and use personal finance skills effectively, can be a key factor in improving quality of life for many autistic adults. The ability to earn, save, manage spending, and avoid debt can significantly improve...
-
Scams, Spending, and Special Interests: One Autistic Adult’s Guide to Financial Independence
I will begin by making a few important disclaimers. First of all, I have no formal education or background in financial matters. Anything that I discuss is strictly from the perspective of my own personal experiences and an appreciation of the concerns and challenges presented by living on the...
-
Don’t Give Up: Lessons From My Decade on Social Security Disability
My name is Katherine and I am 37 years old. I have been receiving Social Security Disability and Medicare for the past ten years. I have a learning disorder, autism, mental health issues, and a host of physical conditions making it impossible to work outside the home. It was not an easy...
-
Adulthood Isn’t a Birthday: The Systems That Make Financial Autonomy Possible for Autistic Adults
I became a legal adult on a birthday. Financial autonomy took longer. Those two things are constantly treated as though they happen at the same moment. At eighteen, the law can recognize a person as capable of signing contracts, opening accounts, consenting to services, travelling, working,...
-
You’ve Never Seen an Untraumatized Autistic Adult. Neither Have I
What we think we know about autistic people may actually be a portrait of what happens to them. The email came in on a Saturday morning, about forty-five minutes before I walked into a room full of clinicians to present at the biggest psychotherapy conference I'll attend this year. A...
-
The Missing Middle: Recreation Access for Autistic Adults in New York
When autistic students finish high school or college in New York, the transition into adulthood often brings unexpected loss. What disappears is not only structured support, but also access to community, hobbies, and meaningful social participation. For autistic adults without intellectual...
-
Autistic Endurance: What Ultra Running Has Taught Me About Regulation and Belonging
Getting up at 4:40 a.m. most mornings is hard. I want to stay in my warm bed. I can find no logical reason to get up that early to run in the cold, but I need the miles. I am training for a 100k race, and it’s only a few short weeks away. My sleepy brain argues with me: can’t I just take a day...
-
Beyond ADA Compliance: Advancing Recreation Accessibility Standards for Autistic Adults
Recreation is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. For autistic adults, it is essential for quality of life, mental health, and social inclusion. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures physical access but does not address the unique needs of autistic adults. To truly provide...
-
Creating Inclusive Recreational Spaces for Autistic Adults: The Role of Parks, Community Centers, and Workplaces
In theory, the community center gym was accessible. The ramps were well maintained, automatic doors readily available, and the hours of operation were clearly posted. However, when Jessie arrived after work, the fluorescent lights were glaring, the music was blaring, and every machine was occupied....
