Moderate Support • Ages 10-14 • Goal:
Be Active in Your Community
Action step 1.
Explore interests through community programs.
Community programs are good ways to explore interests and make connections outside of home and school. Try different programs to find out what you like best:
- Do you like to do things that have a lot of structure and organized activities? Or do you like to do things on your own?
- Do you like to be part of a group or to do things by yourself? Do you like to compete with others?
Learning about your likes and dislikes can help you think about what kind of job you may want in the future.
Resources
Action step 2.
Plan for supports before, during and after activities.
The right supports before, during and after activities can help you get the most from them. Activities designed for young autistic people can help you develop social skills and make connections in the community. Activities may need planning, like:
- Packing a bag the night before
- Scheduling breaks during the activity
- Having a healthy snack ready for when you get home
Resources
Words to know
Action step 3.
Transfer skills from home and school to community activities.
Skills needed to do tasks at home and school can help you get ready to be active in the community. You may need supports to do certain things on your own. Even with help, building skills promotes:
- Confidence. This means believing that you can do something.
- Motivation. This means wanting to do something.
- Teamwork. This means working with others.
You can transfer skills learned early on to a future job setting.
Resources
Action step 4.
Develop social communication and self-advocacy skills.
Social communication can be the most challenging part of employment for autistic people. Some schools and therapy programs use role play to work on interviewing and social skills. Connecting with the autism community and peer mentors can help you understand your needs and learn about self-advocacy.
Resources
Words to know
You’ve reached the end of the action steps for this support level and age group.
- To find services and providers in your area, visit our Resource Guide.
- For direct contact with a member of our Autism Response Team, call 1-888-AUTISM2 (1-888-288-4762) or en Español 1-888-772-9050.
- Send an email to: help@autismspeaks.org.
