A few weeks before my son finished high school, I dreamed he died. It was a terrifying dream, but it didn't take long to decipher its meaning. You see, my son has autism.
The dream laid bare my deepest fears that there would be no life he could participate in once he left school. Alberta has a variety of programs for young children with autism, but adults with autism face a vast wasteland. With very few programs and fewer supports, most adults struggle to find meaningful community involvement.
A recent study by the Autism Society of Edmonton Area projected that by 2012 60 per cent of children with autism will not qualify for adult funding. Since that study, eligibility requirements have tightened, making it even more difficult to qualify for adult funding through Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD). There are no other sources of funding for this population.
Yet, with the right supports in post-secondary education and employment, the majority of adults with autism could make significant contributions to community life. Without appropriate services or funding, families are challenged to occupy every minute of every day for their adult with autism. Two-parent families consider cutting one parent's employment. Single parents face a harsher choice: Do I quit my job or leave my adult child with autism unattended? Retired families wonder where they will find the energy. All parents worry about what will happen when they can no longer care for their loved ones.
In the past two decades, the population of children with autism has grown from one in 10,000 to one in 110. The population of adults with autism will soon catch up and continue to grow. Now is the time to create post-secondary supports and opportunities that enable students with autism to continue their education. Now is the time to create employment training and supports that will help employees with autism understand job expectations and employers learn how to appreciate and get the best out of these employees. Now is the time for Albertans at all levels to create real opportunities for adults with autism to participate meaningfully in the fabric of our communities. Now is the time to transform nightmares into the reality of a good life.
Deborah Barrett, director, Community Awareness and Development, Autism Society of Edmonton
