Will we ever help adults with Autism?

We've all had a shockingly bad few years and it's time to bring some good ol' fashioned fun back into our lives.?We can't wait to get back to normalitus doing the things we used to take for granted without that constant whisper in our heads telling us another outbreak could happen and we're going into another lockdown.

So, for what I'm about to say, please don't think I'm in any way downgrading or ignoring what we've had to endure. I also hope this article doesn't sound unsympathetic, non empathetic, or disrespectful to anyone who has lost a loved one due to COVID.

Our routine & daily habits however are different now. We miss talking to folk in the street like we did a few years ago about, well, anything really.

However, for all we hope the hurt & frustrations we're feeling with COVID are temporary a lot, if not most people on the Autistic Spectrum feel like this all their lives.

A lot suffer from anxiety, feel excluded, not offered the right type of support from their local authorities, feel lost & lonely, they're bullied, ridiculed by some neurotypicals (not everyone of course, I mean the dickheads of this world) but, most worrying of all is people with autism these days are not offered the same kind of future as neurotypicals after they turn the age of 16.

And when their parents die they're sadly left in a system (if they don't have siblings) that really couldn't give two ****'s about them. And do you know something, I'm sick to the back teeth of the bull that's coming out of local authorities and corporate world mouths about supporting people with Autism because when we get to real brass tacks, it ain't happening.

Lots of Talk/Very little Walk.

To give an example, just try looking for adequate support or job opportunities for people with Autism in your local area? Genuinely get into it. And btw, don't just skim over, find something and think I don't know what he means! I mean really get into the weeds and do the homework. Now, you might find some solutions out there and, if you do, bravo. But, the reality is there's nothing but scraps. And, okay, if you live in a big city there's possibly a few avenues to consider but outside these areas, it's incredibly frightening.

And let's just say you understand how to find the right support or job for your Autistic family member. What about the people who can't do the research? Some, if not a lot of people who have kids with ASD don't have the skills to find their child the perfect role or support. Where's their help?

Does the system not realise how hard their lives have been and then at 18 it's a case of you're on your own... good luck!

There's a statistic banded around that only a small % of people with Autism have a job. Well, that's true, however I'm not surprised as other than Data Analyst or IT specific roles there really is nothing to go for. So why are we making this process impossible for people who desperately need our help.

Is it because we don't want them in our society? It's a hard thing to consider but why can't I think that?

Look, I know there are some really awesome people out there championing the cause but my fear is the noise being made still isn't resonating and people in power are not grasping how big an issue this is.

For starters, if you read a book on Autism it doesn't mean you understand Autism. I'm not saying don't research, it's fantastic you'd look into it but, as a starter why not speak to a parent of a child with ASD or go spend time with kids or adults on the spectrum to learn? There are local schools and services that I bet would love to speak to HR and Industry leaders.

Also, be mindful, Autistic people need you to understand they're individuals just like you. They're just wired a little differently, that's all. They're not like Rain Man (I've said this before in a previous article) neither are they built solely for computer programming. Some might be perfect for a customer service role or meeting and greeting the general public or stocking shelves or working in retail or warehouse operations or being a sales executive, a driver job perhaps... There's so much they can do and offer our society.

It makes me cringe when I read the following stating (*being facetious here, a horrible trait I know but on this occasion, I use it to make a point):

"Hey there world, we're a DEI compliant and caring company/organization. We've jobs available for people on the Autistic spectrum too. To apply for our latest Data Scientist roles fill in this 5-page online form. The location - it's in the Big City."

... even from a NeuroDiverse (ND) perspective that's ludicrous but solely concentrating on Autism here, in truth, most people with ASD wouldn't or couldn't apply.

I genuinely think we're entering a new level of exclusion for Autistic adults. I could add more but will remain PC. And why do I think that? Well consider this, how often do we exclude Autistic People in our daily lives?

• I mean if you see someone in a queue acting differently or not behaving as you does it irritate?
• Would you not want to bump into that person again because they made you wait in the shopping line perhaps a little longer?
• or let's say you didn't get an answer to a question as quickly as your mind told you how quick you needed them to give it!?

And that's just 3 basic scenarios.

I'm at the point where I'm seriously worried my incredibly gifted son is going to end up in a social services set-up ill-fit to meet his long-term needs. It's a tragedy because given the right support & opportunity he'd blossom into a Swan. As would so many of his peers.

Maybe I'm sitting here having a Bob Geldof moment, remembering when he dropped the?F-bomb?years ago at Live Aid in 85. However this is how a lot of parents of kids with Autism aged between 14-25 feel so why hide it.

So to all Diversity Equity and Inclusion professionals, Local Government Officials and Politicians, Prime Ministers, Presidents, CEOs, HR Directors, Hiring Managers I say this. You hold the key and you'll get so much back if you open the door. So please, please give Autistic people a chance.

Thank you.