Autism is a neurological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. Autism affects the way an individual perceives the world, making communication and social interaction difficult. It may also result in repetitive behaviors or peculiar or intense interests. The symptoms of autism, and their severity, can vary considerably in each individual on the autism spectrum. It is sometimes said: If you’ve seen one person with autism; you’ve seen one person with autism.

An individual with autism may display some or all of the following characteristics, which may represent challenges from a certain perspective, or strengths from another:

• Difficulty understanding language, gestures, and/or social cues
  
• Literal or excessive speech, often with a concentration on a particular topic
• Difficulty relating or participating in a back-and-forth conversation or interaction
  
• Social awkwardness
  
• Intense or odd interests
  
• Repetitive behaviors such as pacing or hand flapping or rocking
  
• More or less sensitivity to light, sound, smell, taste or touch than usual
  
• Anxiety, abnormal fears and/or lack of appropriate fear of real dangers
  
• Difficulty managing transitions, changes in routine, stress, frustration
  
• Strong visual skills
  
• Good rote and long term memory (facts, statistics, etc.)
  
• Adherence to rules, honesty
  
• Intense concentration or focus, especially on a preferred activity
  
• Understanding and retention of concrete concepts, patterns and rules
  
• Musical, mathematical, technological and/or artistic ability or interest

The strengths and challenges that people with autism possess, affect many aspects of their daily lives.

Employment opportunities may include:

Jobs with a clear procedure to follow

• Library work
  
• Filing
  
• Digital imaging
  
• Filling orders
  
• Computer programming
  
• Assembly line work

• Data input
  
• Research
  
• Word processing

Supports that may need to be put in place include:

• Structured settings
• High levels of safety and support
• Visual schedules and cues
• Training for staff
  
  

• Supported Living – supports or services are provided to the individual in a home that they own or rent.
• Supervised Living – greater level of supports or services (than supported living) to individuals but still provides the ability to live somewhat independently
• Group homes – several individuals with disabilities living together in a home in a community and 24 hour support/supervision is provided
• Institutional placement – large residential facility that provides on going treatment for individuals with disabilities

Considerations/Accommodations - supports should be tailored to the individual, and can vary from minimal to constant

• Safety – may not have a good sense of danger, or the ability to reacting appropriately in dangerous situations. Safe neighborhood
  
• Self care – meal preparation, hygiene
  
• Medical needs
  
• Sensory needs – noise may be an issue (living near a fire station or train station)
  
• Transportation - should be near public transportation or within walking distance to employment and recreational opportunities as well as supermarkets, bank, pharmacy, restaurants etc.

Recreational/Community Integration may include:

• Sports/Fitness
  
• Religious organizations and affiliations
  
• Library programs
  
• Movie/Book clubs
  
• Parks
  
• Volunteer opportunities

Considerations/Accommodations

• Proximity to residence
• Transportation – near public transportation
  
• Safety – is the neighborhood safe
  
• Sensory needs