Yes, many autistic people can work full-time, and many want to, but significant barriers exist, leading to high rates of unemployment or underemployment; success often depends on finding the right fit with workplace flexibility (remote, project-based) and accommodations, as traditional 9-5 roles can cause burnout due to sensory overload or energy drain, while some thrive with routine and focused tasks.
Furthermore, individuals with Autism generally succumb to health complications approximately 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population. Longitudinal studies that followed people with Autism for over 20 years found that the average life expectancy ranges between 39 years and 58 years.
Young adults on the autism spectrum are less likely to be employed than their peers with other developmental conditions after leaving high school. Those who do work tend to have part-time, low-wage jobs. Only 21 percent work full-time, according to one study.
Yes, people with autism can absolutely live full, "normal" lives, achieving careers, relationships, and independence, though "normal" looks different for everyone, with many finding success by leveraging their strengths, developing coping strategies, and getting the right support, such as early intervention, therapy, and an inclusive environment that accommodates their unique needs. While autism is a lifelong spectrum, it doesn't prevent a rich, meaningful life, but it often requires understanding and tailored support to navigate social challenges, sensory sensitivities, and other individual differences.
With specialized skills in one or several of these areas, a person with ASD that is encouraged to capitalize on their strengths and taught in ways that appeal to their thinking patterns, may become a very successful individual who is capable of doing things that even you and I might not be able to do.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
The researchers found that of 890 individuals who met the inclusive definition of autism and had IQ scores available, 59 percent had an average or higher IQ score. Of the 453 individuals who met the narrow criteria, 51 percent had an average or higher IQ score.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, autism is considered a permanent disability. As such, there are some people — both children and adults — who can qualify for benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Computer science is a good choice because it is very likely that many of the best programmers have either Asperger's syndrome or some of its traits. Other good majors are: accounting, engineering, library science, and art with an emphasis on commercial art and drafting.
So, if you have autism and it affects your daily living activities, such as cooking, washing, dressing or mixing with other people or your ability to get around, you should definitely consider making a claim.
According to Tibor N. Farkas and his colleagues, hiring and keeping a job are the main challenges associated with integrating autistic people into the workplace, due to their communication and social skills deficits.
Among the causes of death, 27.9% were due to injuries, with suffocation being the most common, followed by asphyxia and drowning. The increased risk of drowning among autistic individuals has been confirmed by two additional studies.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.
The DSM-5 introduced three ASD levels of severity: level 1 (“requiring support”), level 2 (“requiring substantial support”), and level 3 (“requiring very substantial support”).
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Long-term effects of autism can include:
High-functioning autism (HFA) is a term used to describe individuals on the autism spectrum, or those diagnosed with ASD, who have average or above-average intelligence and good verbal skills but still experience challenges related to social interaction, communication, and behavior.
Special skills typically fall into a narrow range of areas. A recent study2 suggested that more than 70% of autistic children and adults had a special isolated skill in memory (52% of the sample), visuo‐spatial abilities (32%), calculation, drawing or music (about 17% for each area).
Research indicates that autistic individuals tend to favor the slower, more analytical deliberative processing. They produce more logical, cautious responses and are less swayed by emotional biases such as framing effects. This reasoning style allows for consistent reasoning and excellent problem-solving abilities.
Children with autism may exhibit rigidity, inflexibility and certain types of repetitive behavior such as: Insistence on following a specific routine. Having difficulty accepting changes in the schedule. A strong preoccupation with a particular interest.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
There's no single "hardest" age for autism; challenges shift across developmental stages, with preschool (2-5) often tough due to noticeable differences in social/language skills, elementary (6-10) marked by growing academic/social demands, and adolescence (11-17) frequently being overwhelming due to complex social pressures, puberty, and identity formation, say Bluebell ABA Therapy and Blossom ABA Therapy. While early childhood (ages 3-6) sees initial progress for many, this often stalls around age six, a critical turning point where increased support is crucial, according to research, notes The Transmitter.