Some media representations of autism across the lifespan

David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, Eilis O’Connell, MA, BCBA, Preeti Chojar, MCA, and Smrithi Thyagarajan (Extern)
Association for Science in Autism Treatment

Each year as tens of thousands of children with autism turn 18, they and their families face an uncertain future due to changes in service delivery models, limited funding, and diminished services, supports, and resources for young adults with autism. Prior to spotlighting some of the recurring themes underlying media representations of autism across the lifespan, we would like to provide you with a quick overview of ASAT’s ongoing efforts to address lifespan topics. Over the last few years, we increased our commitment to generating and reviewing content relevant to adolescents and adults with autism. With that, we are continually expanding upon a dedicated page on our website focusing on lifespan topics. This page serves as a comprehensive resource for families and providers of adolescents and adults with autism.

Another one of our initiatives that we would like to highlight is ASAT’s Media Watch. Media Watch monitors mainstream media, particularly published information about autism and autism treatments. Understanding that every media contribution has the potential to reach thousands of consumers and service providers, we support accurate media depictions of scientifically sound interventions. We also respond to inaccurate information of proposed treatments reported and, at times, promoted by news outlets. Readers can review our 200+ published letters as models of professional interaction with journalists and media outlets.

We have a long history of following media representations related to lifespan issues in particular but in the last five years have doubled the number of letters we have authored surrounding lifespan topics. Over the years, we have observed some common themes which include, although are not limited to:

• The shortage of adult services, providers, and funding.
• Consequences associated with the limited resources for professional development in adult care systems.
• Efforts to prepare older students for life post-graduation (particularly with respect to employment).
• Concerns about the lack of services available to adults.
• Innovative entrepreneurships employing adults with autism.
• Follow up stories of the outcomes of individuals who received intensive intervention earlier in their lives.
• Impact of autism on family life in adulthood.
• Current necessity of effective treatments for adults with autism and related disorders.
• Use of non-evidence-based interventions with adults.

The journalism community is at the forefront of media portrayals of individuals with autism and their families. It is imperative that media representation continue to shine light on issues pertaining to adults with autism obtaining effective employment and interventions, along with stories about autism across the lifespan. This media attention can continue to illuminate the needs of adults with autism and how we as a community can support future efforts for effective, science-based treatments in adulthood.

In our ongoing effort to address lifespan topics, we have compiled a list of several dozen letters we have written over the last 15 years. These are organized topically below:

Intervention and Treatments

• ASAT Responds to The Atlantic’s “The battle over a controversial method for Autism communication (08/14/2016)
• ASAT Responds to abc.news.go.com’s “How A Child With Autism Became ‘His Own Man’ After Treatment (02/08/2016)
• ASAT Respond to ABC.net.au’s “Hope for Autistic Teens: How Applied Behaviour Analysis helped Ian Rogerson’s Son Overturn Bleak Prognosis” (1/08/2015)
• ASAT Responds to Bangor Daily News’ “Old Town Athlete Honor Student Shares Story of Overcoming ‘Bleak Diagnosis’ of Autism” (05/17/2014)
• ASAT Responds to the High Plains Journal’s “Family uses agriculture as autism therapy tool” (10/23/2013)
• ASAT Responds to NJ.com’s “Apple iPad, iPod Touch might help people with autism take steps toward independence” (1/3/11)

Diagnosis and Awareness

• ASAT Responds to Scientific American’s “We Need Better Diagnostic Tests for Autism in Women” – Association for Science in Autism Treatment (4/7/2022)
• ASAT Responds To Channel News Asia’s, “Commentary: Does the word ‘autistic’ make you uncomfortable? It shouldn’t, says the community” 7/11/21)
• ASAT Responds to Globeandmail.com’s “Embracing autism: Owners of Vancouver Canucks want families of autistic kids to receive support” (04/29/2016)

Transition from School to Adulthood

• SAT Responds to WSAZ News, “Journey Through Parenthood | Autism Acceptance Month: Life after High School” (6/23/2022)
• ASAT Responds to The Inquirer’s, “Falling Off the Cliff” (12/27/2017).
• ASAT Responds to Psychologytoday.com’s “Making Severe Autism Visible” (12/29/2015)
• ASAT Responds to bSci21.org’s “U.S. Dept of Ed: ABA Not Enough for Autism Treatment” (11/3/2015)
• ASAT Responds to Portland Press-Herald’s “Graduating to an Uncertain Fate” (06/15/2011)
• ASAT Responds to NY Times’”Reaching an Autistic Teenager” (10/17/2008)

Employment

• ASAT Responds to the Khaleej Times: “What’s next after school? Parents call for more employment opportunities for autistic people” (02/22/2022)
• ASAT Responds to “As Remote Work Becomes the Norm, Vast New Possibilities Open for Autistic People” (04/17/2021)
• ASAT Responds to Click on Detroit’s “Ford aims to boost hiring of employees with autism” (10/15/20)
• ASAT Responds to lohud’s “Spectrum Designs will provide opportunities for those on the autism spectrum” (01/26/2020)
• ASAT Responds to ABC News’ (AU), “Workers with Autism Recognized for Unique Skill Set, ANZ Recruiting Nine New Employees” (3/5/2018)
• ASAT Responds to Triblive.com’s “Pa. Autism Services Hope to Make inroads in workplace” (04/24/2013)
• ASAT Responds to MSNBC’s “1 in 3 Autistic Young Adults Lack jobs, Education” (04/07/2012)

Community Support and Needs

• ASAT Responds to Good Housekeeping’s “Costco is Hosting Sensory-Friendly Shopping Hours for People with Autism” (03/04/2017)
• ASAT Responds to CNN’s “Helping Patients with Autism Navigate the Stressful ER” (05/22/2016)
• ASAT Responds to Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s, “Mother ‘Distressed’ by Mental Health Services Proposal to Send Autistic Son to Detention Centre” (07/06/2017)
• ASAT Responds to TheStar.com’s “Groundbreaking Adult Autism Survey Reveals Mountain of Unmet Needs” (07/25/2013)

Family Experiences

• ASAT Responds to niyitabiti.net’s, “I Was Called a Witch and My Husband Quickly Divorced Me – Oritoke Aluko – Olukun” (10/10/2017)
• ASAT Responds to Autism Parenting Magazine’s, “Simple Ways You Can Help Strengthen the ASD Sibling Relationship” (2/15/2017)
• ASAP Responds to kswo.com’s “How Autism Affects the Whole Family” (03/14/2016)
• ASAT Responds to FoxPhilly.com’s “Parents of Autistic Children Worry What Life Will Bring When They’re Adults” (04/01/2013)
• ASAT Responds to TheAtlantic.com’s “The Economic Impact of Autism on Families” 07/13/2012)

Lifespan Challenges

• ASAT Responds to Psychology Today’s “Early Death in Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder” (10/22/2019)
• ASAT Responds to The Washington Post’s, “Nowhere to Go: Young People with Severe Autism Languish Weeks or Longer in Hospital” (11/14/2017)
• ASAT Responds to NBC News Dateline’s “On the Brink” (12/07/2015)
• ASAT Responds to Psychologytoday.com’s “NJ’s I/DD Community Strongly Opposes the State’s Transition Plan: Now What?” (04/15/2015)
• ASAT Responds to Des Moines Register’s “Autistic Man Struggles in Iowa’s Mental Health System” (02/23/2012)

Other related resources on ASAT’s website:

• Lifespan books
• Research Synopses related to adulthood
• Articles
• Outside Lifespan Resources

Citation for this article:

Celiberti, D., O’Connell, E., Chojar, P., & Thyagarajan, S. (2023) Some media representations of autism across the lifespan. Science in Autism Treatment, 20(12).

 

#Adults #Employment #Independence #Residential #SocialWorkers #Transitions