Life 101: Learning To Live With Autism

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Autistic Students Learn Independence

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Life 101: Learning To Live With Autism

Young Adults With Autism Take Classes to Learn Life's Daily Skills

By JOHN DONVAN

Dec. 10, 2008-

At the University of Arizona in Tucson, students with autism walk along the

campus streets, seeking to blend in with the hustle and bustle of college

life. As they go about their day, these young adults don't reveal that

they're here as part of a transitional residential program to learn some of

life's most basic and essential lessons -- getting practice for those

difficult moments that make autism, autism.

For Forrest, a well-mannered young man from Dallas, tasks like remembering

money for his morning bus ride are a battle. When he reached for change one

morning and found his pockets were empty, he didn't know how to react. " I

forgot my dimes, " he said, staring down in disbelief.

Kai, who on top of autism struggles with brain seizure disorder, collapses

at a moment's notice on the sidewalk. , who is getting training in

public speaking, suddenly froze in front of a roomful of watchful eyes when

called upon to speak in class.

And then there's Mackenzie . Even in an art class, it's a struggle for

him to converse about anything but politics -- his obsession. But taking

college courses in politics proved to be too much for him, as did college

life in general, when he tried a while back.

Though autism, a developmental disorder that impairs social interaction,

communication and behavior, creates different obstacles for each of the

students, their disabilities are mild enough that they each have a real shot

at living independently.

At the university's Chapel Haven West program, young adults with autism are

learning coping strategies and developing the tools to be successful.

" Just friendships, job interviews, actually filling out resumes and bringing

them to a job, having a roommate, " said Betsey Parlato, president of Chapel

Haven. " These are all things that you and I take for granted, but for

someone with autism it's a monumental challenge. "

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In a social skills class, University of Arizona teaching assistants show the

students the " hidden rules " that help them navigate their surroundings and

interpret changing social cues.

" Not to stare inappropriately and that kind of stuff, " said Mackenzie. " And

about teacher-student relationships and that kind of stuff. "

" They have to be taught as if they have never seen before what kind of

behavior is, for instance, at a concert, " Parlato said. " Is it all right to

talk and laugh loudly at a concert? And then there's a distinction made --

well, what kind of concert? And they actually have to learn it. "

But it's not all classroom work. Guided by special education teachers like

Ken Hosto, the young adults get round-the-clock courses in taking care of

themselves. Hosto brings them to the bank for a tutorial on deposits and

checks. He helps them sift through produce to find what's fresh and then

guides them step-by-step through making their dinner at the off-campus

apartment complex where they live.

Later on, they get a quick lesson in home repair -- how to change a light

bulb. They end the evening with simple conversation, which for those with

autism is difficult.

This curriculum adds up to a course in Life 101. Upon graduating the life

course, Mackenzie hopes to achieve his dream of one getting a degree in

political science.

That's why he and all of the participants are working hard now, so that

someday they can be on their own -- with autism, or not.