It’s a question most parents in our position ask themselves, will our autistic child live with us forever?

While there is no hard and fast answer below is a string of thoughts and ideas which may help you answer yourself.

An autistic child and living at home

Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and continuous learning.

When raising a child with autism, one question that may arise is whether they will eventually move out of the family home.

Ultimately what we are asking ourselves also is, will they embark on an independent life.

The path to independence varies for each individual but I believe it is essential for us all to understand the factors that influence this transition.

Individual differences

As we know, autism comes with a wide range of strengths and challenges, making each individual unique.

Therefore, the likelihood of an autistic child moving out of the family home depends on many different factors.

These factors include their level of functioning, communication skills, and ability to navigate daily tasks independently.

Skill development

As children with autism grow older, fostering essential life skills becomes paramount.

Parents can focus on developing skills related to daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, and self-care.

Tailoring lessons to address specific challenges an individual may face can help them to become more self-sufficient.

These lessons can take place in a school setting or at home.

Within day to day life, we as parents can gradually build some building blocks towards independence.

This can start from our children just helping stir a pot, butter their toast or press start on a washing cycle.

Transition planning

The transition to adulthood can be a pivotal time for autistic children and their families.

Developing a comprehensive transition plan can really help in navigating the challenges associated with moving out.

This plan may include vocational training, social skill development, and exploring housing options that cater to the unique needs of individuals with autism.

A plan can start from a really young age.

Now of course I’m not suggesting you start to talk to an 8 year old about moving out but there are certain ways you can raise the subject.

Something as simple as pointing out houses you pass by and saying “what kind of house do you want when you’re older?” lays soft groundwork.

Supported living arrangements

For some individuals with autism, supported living arrangements may be a beneficial and realistic option.

These arrangements provide a level of assistance while fostering independence.

Group homes, supervised apartments, or supported living communities offer varying degrees of support tailored to the individual’s needs.

The access to such supported living arrangements will vary depending on where you are in the world.

Research on this topic will help you start to build a picture of what you think your childs options will look like.

Encouraging community relationships

It is easy for parents like us to want to wrap up our children in cotton wool to protect them from an unforgiving world.

The only issue however is that it encourages complete dependency on their parents.

We become their only source of support, comfort and entertainment. It can also lead to low self esteem.

Therefore building connections within the community is vital for social integration and independence.

Encouraging participation in community activities, clubs, or employment opportunities can enhance an autistic individual’s sense of belonging and self-worth.

This can end up paving the way for a more independent lifestyle.

Our own involvement

While fostering independence is essential, parental involvement remains crucial throughout an autistic individual’s life.

Offering ongoing emotional support, guidance, and advocacy ensures a smoother transition.

I appreciate that this sounds like a contradiction from the last section but I am trying to highlight how difficult the balance is.

We don’t want to cast our children out into the world without support, but holding on to them too tightly may also be detrimental.

Understanding and respecting the individual’s pace and preferences is key to helping your child thrive.

Do you want your autistic child to live with you forever?

This is about as personal as a question can get and each of us will answer it differently.

It is still something which requires a lot of consideration and thought.

Some may argue that it is a beautiful thing to have a family all together for as long as possible.

Others would argue that a child who never flies the nest will never have any independence.

It’s therefore worth thinking it through to yourself. What do you think is best for your child and best for you?

Summary – Will my autistic child live with me forever?

The journey towards independence for autistic children is unique and influenced by various factors.

With early intervention, skill development, and thoughtful transition planning, many individuals with autism can successfully move towards greater independence.

It’s crucial for us to embrace the individuality of our children, providing the necessary support while respecting their choices.

The goal is to ultimately foster a fulfilling and independent life.

Any tips or ideas?

We would love to hear from you if you have got any techniques or ideas for our readers to try.

Be sure to leave a comment if any of the above has helped or if you have any ideas we can add to this article.

Also be sure to search for any other articles you might find helpful.

Try for example searching below for topics like ‘meltdown’ or ‘communication’.