FAST FACT
Research Survey of Comorbid Conditions for Adults and Adolescents with Autism
According to a study in JAMA in 2014, 60% surveyed had at least two health or mental health conditions in addition to their autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, and about 75% took prescription medication regularly for a health or mental health issue.
When comorbid disorders were noted, they occurred as follows: ADD/ADHD (53%), Anxiety Disorders (51%), Intellectual Disability (38%), Behavioral or conduct problems (37%), Depression (24%), Seizure disorder (13%)
FAST FACT
In Canada, among children and youth 5-17 years of age, 1 in 66 have been diagnosed with ASD. 56% of children and youth received their diagnosis by age 6 and more than 90% were diagnosed by age 12.
FAST FACT
ASD does not discriminate, it affects all nationalities, creeds, religions, races and both sexes.
FAST FACT
Research demonstrates that job activities that encourage independence reduce autism symptoms and increase daily living skills.
FAST FACT
Over the next decade, an estimated 500,000 teens (50,000 each year) will enter adulthood and age out of school-based autism services.
FAST FACT
Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 30 to 61 percent of children with autism.
FAST FACT
Roughly 25 per cent of Americans living with ASD are employed and no more than six per cent are competitively employed.
(Carolyn Dudley, David B. Nicholas and Jennifer D. Zwicker, What do we know about improving employment outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder?, Sept 2015)
FAST FACT
Individuals with an ASD have difficulties with reciprocal social interactions and interpersonal communication, and may demonstrate unusual or repetitive patterns of behaviors. We use the term “autism spectrum disorders” because the symptoms can occur in any combination and can range from very mild to quite severe.
(Hendriks, Employment and Adults with ASD, 2010)
FAST FACT
Everyone with ASD is unique – don’t assume that the strategies and accommodations needed for one person will necessarily work for another.
FAST FACT
Accommodation may be as simple as wearing noise cancelling headphones, being seated in a quieter area, adjusting local lighting to be less bright/glaring, using direct and clear communication processes.
LEGO® Hangouts
Are you a Manitoba resident, over the age of 21, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, with an interest in computers?
During Covid-19 pandemic, we will not be holding Lego Mindstorm meetups. Please contact us directly to inquire about applying to the Level IT Up training and assessment process and someone will get back to you soon. We hope to move to a digital delivery model by late spring/early summer.
Success Stories
In 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, Damon was laid off from his job at a call centre after 5 y of full time employment with glowing performance reviews. This came as quite a blow to his self-confidence and required major changes in his work/life schedule and balance. While Damon qualified for the Canadian…
