More Emerging Areas: Adults with Autism

As mentioned in a previous blog, I am interested in the emerging area of health prevention and promotion. Looking at the AOTA’s emerging fields, I am also very interested in the population of adults with autism. In undergrad, I had the chance to do an internship at a place called Sunshine Industries, which is a place that employs individuals with disabilities when they graduate high school and finds meaningful employment in the community for them. Some work at Sunshine, but others have jobs in the community, like at Kroger. In recreation therapy, we would go as a group to the mall or to downtown for dinner. Many of the individuals at sunshine had autism. Before this internship, I did not think I had an interest in working with adults, now I am definitely interested in the field. For adults with autism, integration into the community is essential. We spent much of our time just helping them understand what things are and are not appropriate to do in public, and helping them find ways to “stim” that are considered more socially appropriate.

            I think autism is hard for people to understand because individuals with autism often look no different than everyone else. So, while teaching social appropriateness is important, I think it is equally or more important to educate the public on autism and advocate for adults with autism in the community, whether working in Tennessee or internationally. While I am trying to keep an open mind for what path/specialty I will go into after graduation, I would love to end up working with adults with autism at some point.

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