Preparing a Future Pathway to Navigate Adulthood with Confidence

Young autistic people transitioning from school to adulthood face a unique set of challenges. Having been part of a structured school environment, where routines, support, and specific accommodations are often in place, the real world can seem overwhelming and unpredictable. This is why it’s crucial to provide continued support to help autistic young people navigate life beyond school, ensuring they can lead fulfilling and independent lives.

At Options Autism, we talk a lot about building rewarding futures, and we recognise that for many young autistic individuals, the end of their school years is both an exciting and daunting milestone.

We are privileged to have established our Futures Team, made up of specialist advisors, who are part of a careers guidance service designed to meet the specific needs of pupils. As well as speaking to every student to ensure their voice is heard, our advisors source meaningful work experience opportunities and deliver guidance and training focused on helping pupils make an informed decision about their future. We work with employers so that our careers support benefits their business as well as our pupils.

It is important for business people to develop an understanding because, for autistic individuals, adulthood will present a different set of challenges. Many on the autism spectrum have difficulties with social interactions, communication, sensory sensitivities, and executive functioning skills—traits that can make life after school particularly difficult. Without proper guidance and support, these challenges can become barriers that hinder their ability to successfully transition into the workforce, higher education, or independent living.

But with the right support, autistic young adults can develop the skills necessary to advocate for themselves, make informed decisions, and gain greater control over their lives. This is important not only for their self-esteem but also for their ability to navigate adulthood with confidence. Teaching these skills early—such as how to ask for help when needed, how to communicate their needs effectively, and how to manage daily routines—sets the foundation for a successful adult life.

So we are firm believers that support should begin at an early age, because there is no better time to dream big and to develop a passion for what they are interested in. The advice our young people receive is very different, incorporating bespoke support which looks at the whole future picture for the young person. This is done in a way that is meaningful and impactful for each person and suits them for precisely where they are in their life journey. Traditional guidance sessions often don’t work for the neurodiverse young people we support because they wouldn’t adapt well to a typical interview situation, so we flex to the individual needs and often carry out careers sessions in different and unusual places, where they feel comfortable and safe, and which are more conducive to drawing out a positive conversation.

The Futures Team understands fundamentally that everyone’s needs, aspirations and outcomes will be different – one young person’s hopes will be different to the next – and the advisors therefore focus on where every individual is right now. There is always something out there for everyone and by concentrating on what people can do rather than what they can’t, we help them develop an understanding that the future is a positive place for them. Our advisors spend time in schools closely observing what each young person engages with and what they enjoy, and are then able to build a comprehensive picture of opportunities for each young person to explore.

Building Rewarding Futures is a two-part podcast, and is a fascinating part of our Autism Unpacked series. Find out much more, and meet some of the members of our Futures Team, here: www.optionsautism.co.uk/autism-unpacked-podcast/