Updated June 29, 2014.
Most of us spend little time planning out our lives. We choose a college just a few months before applying; we choose a major at the last minute. We may take a first job that isn't quite right, and then switch careers, relationships, and locations many times. This approach works well for some people, but it's likely to work poorly for a person with autism.
In order to get the services, supports, opportunities, and funding required to survive and thrive with autism, it's important to start planning early for the transition to adulthood.
It's equally important to work WITH an autistic teen or young adult to think through possibilities, processes, and outcomes.
Yes, things may change as you go along. But having a plan means peace of mind, both for the individual with autism and for his or her family and/or caregivers.
What Is Life Mapping?
Life Mapping is a process whereby anyone -- autistic or not -- can look backwards and forwards to visualize where you've been, what you value, what your goals are, and how you'll arrive at those goals. Most of the time, Life Mapping is facilitated by someone who has been trained in the process -- a life coach or someone with a similar background.
Typically, life mappers create a sort of visual web with themselves at the center. Radiating from the center point are spokes labeled with important aspects of any life: career, relationships, spirituality, lifestyle, education, health, family, and so forth. Next to or radiating from those spokes are specific goals or directions such as "Get a college degree in graphic design," or "Start up my own construction company." And next to or radiating from the goals are strategies for achieving those goals ("Graduate high school with honors," etc.).
Some people get much fancier with their life mapping, actually creating a "map" showing their lifespan over time, complete with mountains to climb, resting places, destinations, and more.
How Is Life Mapping Different for People with Autism?
If you've read articles about planning for the future of an autistic adult, you've almost certainly notice that the articles are intended for the parents of the autistic adult. Parents are asked to consider finances, housing options, state and federal subsidies, health insurance, and other issues -- and make decisions on behalf of their child. Even decisions about career direction, recreation, and spirituality are generally made by parents on behalf of their child. In some cases (particularly when the individual in question has significant cognitive challenges) , this works; in just as many cases(particularly for higher functioning individuals who feel the need for independence and self-direction) it doesn't -- and families find themselves struggling for direction, resources, and basic agreement.
In order to better serve the needs of young adults with autism, many organizations and districts offer a process called person-centered life mapping. Another similar approach is calledMAP (Making Action Plans). In both cases, while parents and other adults (including a facilitator) are involved with the life mapping process, the individual with autism is the central and most important member of the team. MAP involves five steps:
- Describing your history
- Describing your dreams
- Describing your fears
- Describing your own strengths, weaknesses, and personal qualities
- Describing your needs
At the end of the MAP process, there is a document which lays out a clear direction for the young adult with autism -- though of course such a document is only a start. When it is used correctly, the MAP can then become the bones of much more detailed plan intended to help the individual's hopes and dreams come true.