How to Advocate for Young Adults on the Spectrum

“Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” - Janna Cachola

To advocate is to add a voice of support to a cause or a person. Advocating means raising awareness and connecting others with resources. When was the last time you had to advocate for someone? Maybe it was a close friend, parent, sibling, child or colleague. The most vulnerable populations, like young adults on the spectrum, need ongoing advocacy and support to be successful in a world where they are often overlooked.

Being proactive is important when working with young adults at any stage. When we are proactive then we allow for growth rather than stagnation to take place. Here are five tips for advocating for your young adult.

1. Get clarity about the specific needs for the individual

2. Read up to date resources that will help them thrive in society

3. Communicate with their support system

4. Provide opportunities for the young adult to have ownership/involvement

5. Find strategies to manage stress for yourself and the young adult

Your help is vital for young adults on the spectrum to reach their goals and get the assistance they need. Remember, mistakes will happen; slow down, regroup and work to take the next best step. Learn to regulate your own thoughts and emotions as you go through this process. You may find yourself getting lost in the Google matrix searching for resources, or experiencing overwhelming anxiety about the “What ifs?”. Be intentional about how, when and where you put your efforts because you won’t be able to solve every problem. Make realistic objectives and identify the path to get there. Be kind and patient with yourself as well, and remember, lead with love.

Here are a few resources that might be helpful:

Autism Speaks: https://www.autismspeaks.org/resources-autistic-adults

Hugs Café: https://hugscafe.org/

North Texas Performing Arts: https://ntpa.org/starcatchers/

Special Abilities of North Texas: https://specialabilities.net/