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Segment on independent living for adults with autism on PBS'

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alex
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10 Aug 2016, 11:22 am

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/giving-a ... nt-lives/#

Quote:
JUDY WOODRUFF: Tonight, we begin an occasional series about people living with autism and other spectrum disorders, A Place in the World.

While reporting the history of autism for their book, “In a Different Key: The Story of Autism,” co-authors John Donvan and Caren Zucker found a program in Phoenix, Arizona, that expands options for people living with autism.

This is the first of two reports.


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TheBadguy
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10 Aug 2016, 2:28 pm

My concern with this is PBS, also fell into the same problems everyone falls into. I'm on the spectrum, but I know how to ride a bus. I know how to work.

That doesn't necessarily mean my life is successful. I've never been able to hold down a job. I do not have a home. I do not have any finances. But if someone sang me a catchy song on how to ride the bus, I'd walk out and leave because I am not on the lower end of the spectrum.

I'm intelligent and don't always appear outwardly Autistic because I don't know how to cook, ride a bus. I appear Autistic in different ways, but have always been complimented to be very very smart. Even gotten weird compliments like, You should become a politician.

And I'm like, no. Nobody wants me as a politician because I am blunt as hell.

Not only that, and despite me being a 26 year old male I still also think PBS hasn't focused on any females on the spectrum.



adoylelb90815
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10 Aug 2016, 2:54 pm

The main concern I had with that segment is that it just focused on males on the spectrum, and only briefly mentioned that there are females as well who have autism and will have it for life. I'm one of those who despite being higher functioning, has had difficulty getting a steady job. Because of that, I've been on SSI and live with family because there's no way anyone can live in a safe neighborhood with that income. Another thing is that this segment didn't even mention that people who are high functioning can get a driver's license, so not everyone on the autism spectrum relies on buses and other public transportation.



BirdInFlight
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11 Aug 2016, 5:15 am

It's really good to see something addressing the fact that little kids don't stay little kids forever, and that there is help being given to those transitioning into having to know life skills that may help them live their adult lives.

It's true this doesn't address those people on the spectrum who don't need this kind of help, found jobs and apartments themselves, but within even those successes are struggling with various things.

However, it's a good segment as a reminder to society that children don't stop being autistic when they grow up.