What to do when the school bus stops coming at 22 years

What options do families have for their adult children with autism after they turn twenty-two? Support services for adults with autism are few and far between, if they exist in some places at all - so scarce, that school districts are usually very little help in offering guidance to parents of what to expect for their child. Will the student be able to work independently, through supported living, or need an adult day program? And what are the housing options, - besides very limited?

Consider that autism is a lifelong disorder requiring careful treatment specific to people with ASD.  And that the wave of people with autism about to age out of the California school system is only a few short years away. What to do? I think we may have a problem here! 

As this is Autism Awareness month, it is increasingly important to remember that autism doesn't go away after 'early intervention', which has been the focus of attention in recent years. Although most children do get better over the course of their lives with intense services, the autism remains, however it may manifest itself. I was very heartened to learn of a senate bill introduced by Senators Durbin (D-Il) Casey (D-PA ), and Menendez (D-NJ): the Autism Treatment and Acceleration Act 2009 (ATAA) http://www.autism-society.org/site/news2?page=NewsArticle&id=13301.  ATAA would create many services for adults with autism- vocational, employment, housing and transportation to name a few. This is something for all of us to get behind!