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Recognizing and Addressing Loneliness in Autistic Seniors
Loneliness is a challenge many seniors face, but for autistic seniors, it can manifest differently and have unique consequences. Understanding these nuances is key to providing effective support and improving quality of life. Loneliness in Autistic Seniors Autistic individuals often...
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Equipping Communities for an Aging I/DD Population: Challenges, Solutions and Advocacy
As life expectancy increases, a growing number of individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are entering older adulthood. This demographic shift brings new challenges—and opportunities—for service providers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and...
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Navigating Change on the Autism Spectrum: My Journey to Grad School
When you live life on the autism spectrum, it’s easy to become so used to your own patterns that you miss the problems those patterns cause. You fail to see the obstacles that keep tripping you up, and why. I want to share a story of my own pitfalls when it comes to the autistic aversion to...
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“Autism Class”: Teaching Students in K-12 Autism Schools About Who They Are
The new student looks understandably full of questions. "Hi!" I say, intentionally gregarious. "What's your name?" Which we exchange...I then give them a sly facial expression and tone—we autistics are bad at reading non-verbal communication, but we usually live long enough to learn a thing...
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When Transitions Become Routine: Supporting Autistic Adults Through Daily Change
Routines and transitions are a big part of our lives. When my alarm goes off in the morning, I jump right out of bed and head directly to the coffeemaker. And while my coffee is brewing, I make my bed and then brush my teeth. Always in that order. By then, my coffee is ready. I slow down and take...
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Preparing for Aging and Transitions for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Understanding the changing needs of adults with disabilities as they age is important. A recent report predicted that the number of adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities over the age of 60 will nearly double by 2030, from 641,860 to 1.2 million. At Chapel Haven...
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Building Meaningful Lives: How Moving Forward Towards Independence Supports Neurodivergent Adults
Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein wrote; Change is Good... You Go First and understanding that change and the transitions it requires is a source of anxiety for much of humanity. Twenty-eight years ago, a group, all parents of neurodivergent children, were feeling the full weight of transition...
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Transitioning to Life as an Autistic Senior Citizen: We Need Much More Information
Making the transition into old age and becoming a senior citizen is challenging for almost everyone in our society. This was most colorfully expressed by the great Hollywood actress Bette Davis, who lived to be 81 years old and famously said that “old age ain’t no place for sissies”. Those of...
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Vocational Skill Building Improves Transition Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism and Low Vision
For many young adults, the transition from school to adulthood is a time filled with excitement and new experiences. For those with disabilities, it can also present unique challenges. Moving from a supported educational environment and accessing adult services is a big leap. What predicts greater...
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The Transition to Adulthood: Bridging Skill Gaps to Strengthen Community Inclusion
For autistic individuals, the transition to adulthood represents a pivotal developmental period filled with both potential and uncertainty. While for the most part, adolescence through special education programs often comes with robust educational supports and structured services, adulthood...
