Abstract
This
paper
analyzes
the
services
provided
to
Albertans
who
have
been
diagnosed
with
Autism
Spectrum
Disorder
(ASD)
as
they
transition
from
childhood
to
adulthood.
The
assessment
of
the
services
provided
will
be
based
on
a
review
of
the
existing
literature.
For
the
purpose
of
this
paper,
childhood
is
defined
as
the
time
when
someone
is
eligible
for
publically
funded
education
in
Alberta.
The
transition
to
adulthood
takes
place
when
the
person
is
no
longer
eligible
for
publically
funded
education.
For
some
students
diagnosed
with
ASD,
this
can
be
up
to
20
years
of
age,
or
grade
twelve,
whichever
comes
first.
This
document
aims
to
make
a
case
for
the
increase
and
modification
of
current
services
provided
by
the
Government
of
Alberta
for
individuals
diagnosed
with
Autism
Spectrum
Disorder
(ASD).
Individuals
diagnosed
with
ASD
transitioning
from
publically
funded
education
into
the
labour
market
require
greater
support
from
our
government
and
community.
It
is
in
the
best
interest
for
individuals
diagnosed
with
ASD,
the
greater
community,
government
and
economy,
to
include
all
productive
and
capable
individuals
in
the
labour
market.
From
a
financial
perspective,
once
public
investment
has
been
made
in
the
education
of
a
student
diagnosed
with
Autism
Spectrum
Disorder,
it
does
not
make
sense
to
discontinue
supporting
the
individual
as
soon
as
their
education
concludes.
Refereed
Yes
