What does your child want to be when they grow up?  It seems so far off, I know, but what sort of job will they be suited for?  What are they interested in or motivated by?  Often parents aren‚Äôt sure about the answers to these questions but they‚Äôre very important things to think about.  In therapy, not just in Occupational Therapy but in Speech Therapy  and Physical Therapy as well, a pediatric therapist works on all kinds of skills.  If your child does have ideas about future jobs and career interests, then we can help you both get there.  We can teach the basic skills s/he‚Äôll need and help to make that transition more seamless and successful.

Children with autism are shown to be less likely to live independently as adults.  This is compared with all variety of children with disabilities.  They are also less likely to hold a job as an adult as well, even if they held a job while in high school.  Having a job or daily responsibilities is an important factor in enabling people to see themselves as valuable to society.  All children and adults should be encouraged to feel so valuable and productive with their lives.  

There are many job and community services and organizations available to children with disabilities, if they are pursued.  Knowing where you want your child to end up, or what they‚Äôre interested in, is a very important step in helping them to have a successful future.

The North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services can help direct your child once they‚Äôre in high school.  http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dvrs/

Please see the following article summary for more information on job status and living situations of people with autism:  Young Adults With Autism Less Likely to Have Jobs, Live Independently: MedlinePlus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_140783.html