Autism Symposium Focuses on Young Adults

As young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face the challenges of completing school, exploring sexuality, and finding a job and a place to live, they are discovering that the road to greater independence is possible, but additional support may be needed, according to a keynote speaker at a recent symposium.

The third annual UJA-Federation of New York Autism Symposium, organized in collaboration with the Hilibrand Foundation and held April 22nd, presented the latest findings and insights into the issues young adults on the autism spectrum face, as well as services and support found to be needed to enjoy a more independent life.

"Early intervention, Jewish communal support, and better services through adolescence have empowered us to tackle the frontier of autistic youngsters aging out of traditional services," said Rina Pianko, chair of the Autism Committee of UJA-Federation's Caring Commission.

The conference, Emerging Into Young Adulthood With Autism: Community Responses to Urgent Needs, was attended by an overflow audience of nearly 250 people.

"Our commitment to building a community of inclusion and purpose for individuals with autism and to supporting their families is a priority for UJA-Federation," said Roberta Leiner, managing director of the Caring Commission.

Increased Prevalence

Guest speaker Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, presented the most recent autism statistics provided by the federal government. The new findings show that the average prevalence in 2006 in 11 states was about 1 percent of 8-year-old children, or about 1 in 110 children. This represents an increase of 57 percent between 2002 and 2006, said Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp.

"No single factor explains changes in ASD prevalence," she noted. "Some increase is due to better documentation in records. But how much is attributed to awareness, and how much increase is because of risk factors? We're starting to explore genetic susceptibility and other factors - the environment, toxins, and the older age of parents."

Autism spectrum disorders are an "urgent public health concern," said Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp, who spoke of the need to provide help to affected families, especially around areas of transition to adulthood.

Independence

"There is a dearth of studies for older individuals with autism," said keynote speaker Dr. Fred Volkmar, director of the Yale Child Study Center. "Most of the research on autism has been on younger children."

Dr. Volkmar cited challenges facing teens on the spectrum, such as higher rates of seizure disorders with the onset of adolescence, more accidents and injuries, and changing from a pediatrician to adult-based care. He also said, "More able kids develop depression in adolescence, and it's true for teens with autism as well."

Dr. Volkmar called for better approaches to social-skills training, better research, and better training for police on how to approach a person with autism. "The goal," he said, "is to have as much quality of life and as much independence as possible."

Healthy Sexuality

In addition, the symposium addressed sexuality issues for teens and young adults with autism.
"Sexual development, learning, and education are essential for young adults with ASD," said Dr. Shana Nichols, clinical director of the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.

She dispelled several myths about sexuality and people with autism, including that individuals with ASD are not capable of intimate, emotional relationships, and that teaching about sexuality creates more problems.

Dr. Nichols stressed that "social skills are the building blocks of sexuality," and individuals with autism may have trouble understanding social rules, nonverbal cues, and body language. According to Dr. Nichols the "Growing Up" Clinic at the Lindner Center teaches teens and young adults with ASD the social skills needed to develop healthy relationships, and to make dating less intimidating.

Dr. Nichols also emphasized the importance of keeping teens and young adults with autism safe from sexual abuse. "It's critical kids learn skills to make them less vulnerable, and what to do if something happens so they don't stay quiet," she said. "People with ASD are vulnerable because they have difficulty recognizing red flags and interpreting the thoughts and feelings of others."

Charles Hammerman, president and CEO of the Disability Opportunity Fund, gave a presentation on the current status of housing solutions for young adults with autism. And Randy Lewis, the father of a child with autism and a senior vice president at Walgreens, gave an inspiring account of Walgreens' success in employing people with disabilities.

The conference was also broadcast as a live link to eight Jewish communal organizations around the country with the help of the Jewish Federations of North America.