Out of everything I remember reading, hearing or seeing about autism, I don't remember there being much about autistic adults. Autistic children couldn't possibly just grow out of it or fade away into the ether. If I wanted to find out more, where should I start to look?
Hi! The information available about, for or provided by autistic adults is slowly expanding. Here are a few sources of information I'd recommend to get you started.
NAS Information for Adults
I feel that the NAS website in general is a good and comprehensive source of information. It's really encouraging that the leading Autism not for profit in the UK collaborates with the individuals it was established to support. You may want to have a look at the Self Advocacy Booklet to get an idea about how the characteristics of Autism can impact on different parts of life.
Autism and Empathy
This website features contributions from autistics and family members and seeks to debunk the common misconception that autistics are unable to recognise or express empathy.
Send In The Idiots by Kamran Nazeer
My favourite memoir written by an autistic adult. The author tracks down four of his now adult peers from the autism specific school he attended as a child. A good look at the diversity of Autism, the common co-morbidity of mental illness and how the expression of Autism can change in an individual as they approach adulthood.
Grey Blue Planet SOS
A short video made by a group of autistic Australian youth and their experience of school.
Atypical Autism Characteristics
Information regarding autistic girls and women was once as rare as information about autistic adults. The memoirs of people like Rudy Simone, Donna Williams and Wendy Lawson has helped to change that. The link contains a table of atypical autism characteristics that are commonly seen in girls.
I hope the above information is useful. Please feel welcome to contact me if you have any specific questions.
