In Their Shoes: The ‘Tsunami’ Of Young Adults Aging Out Of Autism Services

http://media.boston.cbslocal.com/CBSBOS_2704201523295600000AA.mp4 BOSTON – It’s being called “the coming tsunami” One in 68 children are diagnosed with autism. They get school support until age 22, but then what? In the next decade, a half million young adults with autism will need a place to live, and a job. It’s bringing a wave of anxiety to those who care for them, like Janet Amorello whose son Sam is 19 years old. He was born on July 4, 1995 – Independence Day. “I think he was born smiling,” Janet reminisced. When doctors told her that little Sam had autism, it was not a word she knew. In 1995 autism wasn’t what it is now. “I went home and I Googled it, and i got six hits. Can you imagine only getting six hits today?” Now, you’ll get 74 million hits with that same search, including many discussions about “aging out”. That’s the term for the guaranteed schooling and other services that disappear at age 22. Sam is two years away from aging out. Sam is 19, and will age out of autism services in a couple years. (Image: WBZ-TV) “Sam wakes up every day, and every morning he says to me ‘What’s the plan?’ And I’m kind of like in the same place,” said Janet. “I so get this now. ‘What’s the plan?’ I don’t know.” Advocates say there’s simply not enough housing and jobs for the coming wave of adults with autism. A recent study showed that about 30 percent of young adults with au...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Syndicated Local Autism David Wade In Their Shoes Source Type: news