Just turned 18, what do I do now?

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Let's face all the autism support is really only for little kids. The rest of the autism demographic is left for dead. Some of the Autism facebook pages I look at on facebook are really just pages for moms to talk about their young children. Being 18 I am now a "grown man" despite the fact that most of us literally have 0 experience in the adult world and are still adolescents. I already see many 18 - 20 year olds acting like "adults" but throw tantrums when they don't get their way. I kinda only see this as an excuse to draft as many young men as possible for the old people in charge self serving agendas or for creepy old people to have sex with us. Some studies say kids not adults till 25 since we'll have fully matured all parts of our brains especially the ones that help us make decisions.

I'm really trying to avoid the workforce since it seems to be full of sychophants, psychopaths, brown nosers, and the ghetto culture needing to be employed as well. I really hope the apps I make take off.

are you diagnosed? did you have an IEP in school?

try contracting your states bureau of vocational rehab they can help you with finding a job that fits you

Exactly how long do you plan on avoiding the work force?

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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com

In order to really evaluate the world, you must actually experience it.

You seem to entertain preconceived notions which might not be correct.

Yes, there are "psychopaths, brown-nosers, etc." However, most people do not fit any one of those categories.

There's a "ghetto culture"--but it's not as prevalent as you think. You won't get a job if you act "ghetto."

Old people, usually, have better things to do than to have sex with young boys.

It's true: it does seem like 25 is the new 18.

The world is your oyster (meaning...there's lots of positive experiences to be had, should you choose to explore and learn).

Are you planning on going to college?

Well, sadly I can't say I actually disagree with anything you said, except maybe ghetto culture. I'm not sure what that is, so I really can't agree or disagree.

However, autism supports for kids usually go up to age 21 or 22, not 18. There are tons of what's called "transition services" for ages ~18-21. It is possible to find services for adults older than that, but it can be very difficult and exhausting depending on where you live.

As for the sycophant- and psychopath-infested work force, I think the best way to handle that is to get a career related to your special interests and hope that the specific workplace where you end up has a minimal amount of objectionable people. Stay away from professions like business and marketing and banking, and it should be easier to avoid them. I also recommend lots and lots of occupational therapy.

Good luck with your apps!

Hi Jermaine,

If you've just turned 18 and are not sure where to turn, how about checking out some vocational programs at community colleges if you're not ready for a 4 year college? Check out some financial aid loans and be sure to get into programs like nursing or computer programming.

Hey Jermaine,

I apologize if you thought I was criticizing you.

I just don't believe there are psychopaths and old perverts lurking in every corner, even in banking, finance, etc. Yes, there are those (but there are those in all walks of life)--but it's by no means a dominant state of affairs. Don't let the potential presence of these sorts of people deter you from succeeding in life.

I've lived 53 years, am on the autistic spectrum, and, by and large, have found a way not to be affected by psychopaths, perverts, brown-nosers, syncophants, etc. Experience teaches you to discern who these people are, and to avoid the effects these people could cause. My solution is just to do your work well and cover your butt at all times. And go to college. Unemployment is MUCH lower among college graduates than among people who have just finished high school--about 4% for college graduates, vs about 8% for those with only a high school
education.

I would also heed the advice of the previous posters as to vocational programs for people with ASD's. Take advantage of all that you could take advantage of. Many people with ASD's, despite the alleged figures, DO succeed in the world.

The only way to learn about the world, and to form a correct impression of it, is to actually go out in the world. Remaining isolated will keep you in a state of stark ignorance.

And I hope your parents, any older siblings, or any friends experienced in the world will assist you on your path.

I honestly looked for 'adult' based stuff and was grossly unimpressed. People care about aspie children, then when they're either lost courses or dealing with it themselves. I'm proud of how far it's come, but almost all the progress I've seen is restricted to children.
Doing searches on google results in: Child, child, child, child, ETC all help based around children and parents. I struggled to find any resources for adults until I found this site. There's so much I wanted to know, such as how it's seen in the government eyes. I gave up on finding out stuff like that, the government is extremely vague in their usual attempt to ensure nobody will seek their help, let alone (*shudder*) financial aid and the 'advocates' seem to act as if Autism is for those under 17ish.

(I even tried asking (*shudder, again*) in person, after a 3 hour wait I was seen by a government employee. She made it clear that unless I wanted to be put on disability I wasn't going to get help. Literally can't even put 'autistic' onto my gov record without going on disability, apparently. Helpful.)

Also, I don't mean to necessarily say there's no resources for adult autism, I mean to say it's deep under the avalanche of kids resources.

Go fishing.

This is the truth: Going to community college is the SAME as going to a 4-year school, except it lasts 2 years. If you get a C average in a community college in a state university system, you're automatically admitted to the senior college.

I don't get how people think community college is the "minor league" of colleges. The curriculum, especially the first year curriculum, is the same at both community and 4-year colleges.

A man must make a living.

Having a portfolio to supplement your "piece of paper" is excellent.