Rural Autism ECHO: Strategies for Improving Health Care for Autistic Patients in Rural Georgia

March 25, 2026:  Support for Autistic Young Adults

Presenter:  Jennifer Wertalik, Ph.D, BCBA

• What should caregivers and physicians think about as autistic teens transition into young adulthood?
• Outcomes for autistic adults: likelihood of achieving independent living, employment, education, etc…, and practice that could encourage independence.
• Finding support for autistic adults
• Mental health and autistic adults
• How to discuss sensitive topics with autistic people (sexuality, interpersonal conflict, work stress, etc…)
• How to talk to caregivers about changes in an autistic adult’s needs

Workshop:  What challenges to caregivers face as autistic children become young adults?  How can you detect mental health symptoms in autistic adults?  How to determine what occupational skills an autistic young adult can/should learn?