‘It’s even scarier’: Autism moms on children becoming adults
Supports are often easier to find for children than for adults with autism, leaving a 'gray area' after high school as families seek independence for their grown kids.
For families with neurodivergence, resources and support are often easier to find for children than adults. On this episode of “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” two moms of adult children with autism spoke about the challenges they’ve faced, the “gray area” of adulthood, and efforts to help them become independent as they get older.
“It’s a huge transition when you leave high school,” said Jean Leiker of the Central New York chapter of the Autism Society of America. “It’s challenging. I joke around and say ‘I feel like a cruise director’ sometimes because I try to find enriching, purposeful activities to fill his days. As much we struggle with challenges, often behavioral, when our kids are younger - I think it’s even scarier when they get out in the real world.”