Autism & Support


Support and autism go hand-in-hand.  Did you know that support is different based on your needs?  Think about getting or having support like swimming.  Some people need a little more help with swimming, and that is okay!

What does support look like?  It can be anywhere from getting help with an assignment, having a tutor help you get through some assignments, it can be parental guidance (easing a little when the individual reaches adulthood), financial support from the government, therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, socializing, friends, community support, etc.  Whatever your needs are at is dependent on what supports you might need.  This can also be the same with caregivers.  Caregivers are the ones who tend to individuals with autism the most.  They are the parents/guardians who help provide the most support for individuals with autism.  Especially level 3 individuals who cannot communicate well in a verbal manner.  The caregivers for these individuals work from sun up to sun down.  Think of a 20-year-old individual who has a small vocabulary and uses quotes from movies, TV shows, and/or songs that they listen to to communicate or express what they are feeling.  Unfortunately, their support needs require more than just a life-vest.  They are going to need a life vest and someone who is experienced at swimming to help them at least be able to float.

Again, support looks different.  If you are autistic and struggle with this concept, know that it is okay to learn where your needs are at.  It is okay to learn how to swim with a life-vest or someone showing you how to swim and then letting go...IT IS OKAY!!!  No need to compare yourself to your peers who are your same age or it will make you worse and could make you sink.  Everyone swims differently.  Some need more time learning to swim, others don't.  Wherever you are at, don't push away the extra help! Sometimes our friends are offering support to "show us" how to effectively and safely swim so that we can do it on our own one day.





  

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