Autism spectrum disorders in adolescence and early adulthood: Characteristics and issues

Issue title: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Transition and Employment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Schall, Carol M. | McDonough, Jennifer Todd

Affiliations: Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Autism Resource Center, Richmond, VA, USA | VCU RRTC, Richmond, VA, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Carol M. Schall, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Autism Resource Center, P.O. Box 843020, Richmond, VA 23284-3020, USA. E-mail: cmschall@vcu.edu

Abstract: Much has been written about the diagnostic characteristics that distinguish autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from other disorders of childhood for toddlers and elementary school age children. There is a paucity of description of the characteristics and needs of youth and young adults with ASD. This paper presents a description of the characteristics of ASD in adolescence and young adulthood and presents three case studies to illuminate the issues confronting individuals with ASD, their families and support providers.

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0503

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 81-88, 2010