April is the month of spring showers, longer days and lighter jackets. But the month of April actually has more meaning to some of us Aunties because it is also National Autism Awareness Month.

Coined by the Autism Society in the 1970s, this month highlights the growing need for concern and awareness about autism. The United States recognizes April as an opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.  New research from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has noted that the 2012 statistic of individuals identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now a staggering 1 in 88 people.

Auntie, you may have a niece or nephew with autism or know a friend’s child, or a niece’s or nephew’s friend with Asperger’s syndrome, PDD-NOS, or other related developmental disorders like sensory integration disorder, etc. Hopefully, your nieces or nephews with ASD are getting the much-needed therapies recommended by their doctors. Some of the most common therapies that individuals on the autism spectrum need include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavioral analysis. Nieces and nephews with ASD often need hours of therapy after school or sometimes during the school day.  Progress can be a long journey.

Now that we’re more aware of how prevalent autism has become, and now that we know that young nieces and nephews with autism need intensive therapies and schooling to re-route the synapses in their brain, one significant question remains. What happens when young nieces and nephews with autism grow up to be young adults with autism?

Our society is on the cusp of a major challenge as these nieces and nephews turn 21 and age out of school. What will these young adults with autism do? Who will they spend time with, and how will they live independently?  You are just as essential in your teenage and adult ASD niece’s or nephew’s life as ever, Auntie, as they figure this out.

A 2009 survey by The Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Interactive Autism Network notes that, “Of those who did not currently have paid employment, 42% said they wanted to work but couldn't find work. Two-thirds said they also feared the workplace would be too challenging for them because of their ASD or other health or mental health issues.” So many things get in the way of individuals trying to find work, such as making eye contact, social etiquette and social skills, the inability to focus on specific tasks, and more.  Maybe since you know your niece or nephew very well, you know what occupation would suit them best.

But there’s hope down the road, Auntie. There are some companies that are employing diversity practices and hiring individuals with autism. These employers include: Walgreens, Lowe’s, Home Depot and CVS. Meanwhile, other companies like Aetna and Tyson Foods are exploring diversity models, so hope is bright for the future for our nieces or nephews with ASD.

So, remember National Autism Awareness Month, Auntie.  Remember to patronize stores that promote autism awareness. If you encounter an individual with autism this month, be kind. If you have nieces or nephews with autism, be their biggest supporter.  Finally, try to help someone with autism or another disability get a job, maybe even at the company you work for!


Published: April 24, 2012
Photo: Chrisroll