Online Q&A with Temple Grandin Saturday to Focus on Transition to Adulthood

April 5, 2012
By Autism Society

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, authors Chantal Sicile-Kira and Jeremy Sicile-Kira will join  Temple Grandin, Ph.D. on  a free online Q & A , Saturday, April 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. PST  at AutismCollege.com to answer questions about autism and the transition to adulthood.

What can parents do to help prepare their children with autism to become productive members of society? How can we prepare society for the growing numbers of children and young adults with autism?

To answer these questions, Chantal and Jeremy wrote the recently published A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence (Macmillan), each from their own perspective. Chantal is one of the leading authorities on autism, adolescence, and the transition to adulthood, and  author of five  award-winning books. Jeremy is severely impacted by autism yet graduated from Torrey Pines High School at the age of 22 in 2010 with a GPA of 3.78. He gave a commencement speech using voice output technology. He is a one of three national Youth Advocates for the Autistic Global Initiative, a project of the Autism Research Institute.

Temple Grandin Ph.D., is the subject of the Emmy-award winning HBO documentary “Temple Grandin,”  a professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, and a person with autism. 

Temple is enthusiastic about answering questions from the community on April 7 on how best to prepare your child for the realities of adulthood. “One of the most difficult times for many individuals on the spectrum is making the transition into adulthood.  This is an area that is sadly neglected despite the fact that it is hugely important,” says Temple.  I have had teachers and parents tell me many sad stories where a young adult loses a job or drops out of college because they were not prepared for a world away from home.”  

According to Easter Seals, only 22 percent of  individuals with autism over the age of 16 are engaged  in paid employment, as compared with 75% of individuals who do not have autism. Chantal and Jeremy want people to know not just the realities, but to be empowered by the possibilities, as well.  “All of us on the spectrum are different from one another and our wants and hopes are as well. It is important to recognize that when planning our lives,” writes Jeremy.

To register for the event, go to www.autismcollege.com.