50,000 ASD kids turn 18 each year; "school-based support simply ends"
- Apr 15
- 1 min read
April is Autism Awareness Month, and on Tuesday, we focused on what comes next as your child grows into adulthood.
While there is a long list of autism services for kids and teens, access to autism care is often more limited as those teens transition into adulthood. And the numbers from the CDC tell the story. Every year, about 50,000 kids with autism turn 18, and they face what many call a services cliff, where school-based support simply ends.
More than 60% of young adults with autism are disconnected from work or education within just two years of leaving high school. Only 15% to 21% of teens with autism ever receive recommended health care transition planning.
Dr. Tisa Johnson-Hooper, a pediatrician who specializes in helping families navigate this transition, joined Local 4 Live to discuss it.
Video
Dr. Tisa Johnson-Hooper: I think the problem with transition is huge. . . .
I do see my patients have no place to go after they reach adulthood.
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