Most young adults take their freedoms for granted – they can choose their friends, stay out late, learn to drive and decide what they want to do as a career. But for people growing up on the autistic spectrum, life is very different. Stuck in a strange limbo between childhood and adulthood, they are unable to make these choices.
This documentary follows three people with autism at pivotal moments on the rocky road to being accepted as an adult. They are all fighting for independence and responsibility, but being frustrated by the shackles imposed on them by their disability, their families and the preconceived ideas of mainstream society.
Twenty-three-year-old Oli has high-functioning autism (HFA) and is looking to find work. He is finding it tough as his condition means that he can’t communicate or deal with pressure in the same way others can.
Oli had a really tough time trying to be accepted in this neurotypical world, he managed to secure a placement at ASDA, bt was promised a full time position, then they left him for three months after contacted him and said we have a ten hour placement, because of his Autism he felt that he wasn’t wanted and became really depressed, so when ASDA contacted him he said they can forget it, they didn’t want him in the first place, as well as a number of health problems he had everything was getting on top of him. he did mention that if he was employed by ASDA he would be the most reliable employee due too his time keeping and also he wouldn’t throw any sick days like allot of people do.
Thomas has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is approaching 16, the legal age of adulthood. As he does so, he is demanding more independence and wants to escape his family. But the freedom he is after is not forthcoming from his parents.
this was really hard for Thomas starting a new college in an unfamiliar area, his routine had been changed, he started to settle in but at the very start had no friends at school, but later on in the programme, he managed to make fiends and they all formed a band, he is a great guitar player, also his younger brother 12 months younger also as autism, i think he is very gifted at music and allot of Autistics are, and think he will go a long way after he gets his qualifications in music Betec
Alex, 24, is looking for love, but when you have the type of autism known as Asperger syndrome, communicating and socialising can seem an impossible task.
it was great to see Alex been involved in a relationship with kirsty, but i think his mum should have give him more space she did admittedly said in the filming that she wanted Andrew to stay with her at home, and him to look after her one day, this is all in good, but he needs his own independence as a young Autistic Adult.
throughout the film it showed that only 15 percent of Adults are in employment in the UK, it all so said 50 percent still live at home with there parents.
this programme as really put Autism in its true account how Adults feel isolated and ignored by the neurotically society.
Yes, I can’t believe that Oli has not been offered work, I feel like the schemes that were meant to help him have not tried hard enough. They should have tried to get him a placement where his personality and knowledge will be appreciated, instead of just assuming that shelf stacking is appropriate for everyone on this type of course. But in the meantime, I’m shocked no one has come forward. Alex and Kirsty are so sweet, I hope it works out. But I think Alex’s mum should support him in getting a more independent life – I know she does, and she is obviously great with him, but I don’t think it is fair to put pressure on him about her not liking being on her own. I know she has done so much for him and I am sure he will always help her, but still.