For many adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), living independently is an important albeit lofty goal. It’s a milestone that can mean a purpose-filled, self-directed life with much greater challenges than what neurotypical individuals experience when they move out of the family home, especially for the first time.
If you or a loved one has autism and/or I/DD, such a significant move requires planning, a system of supports, tools, training and a connected community. Patience and flexibility are also essential.
In the reflections that follow, we’ll explore what it means to live independently, what expectations you should have, what preparations are necessary—and what can get in the way of success.
What Is Independent Living for Adults with Autism and/or I/DD?
It’s important to know that independent living can be different for everyone—it’s up to the individual to define. Most people with autism and/or I/DD would agree that it means having choices over their daily life without constant supervision. That’s empowering—and can take different forms:
- Full independence: Living alone or with roommates without daily supports
- Semi-independence: Living in a place you can call your own with scheduled outside support
- Supported living: Living in a community that provides a range of daily, on-site supportive services.
However you define your independence, common features typically include access to transportation, employment, shopping and recreation, along with feeling comfortable with essential abilities like life skills, budgeting, working and making friends.
Why Can Independent Living Be Challenging for Adults with Autism and/or I/DD?
Challenges to living independently vary from person to person. Executive functions like task prioritization, retaining information and adapting to change can become hurdles due to the rigors of everyday life. This can also impact the ability to manage emotions and maintain focus—and the possibility of overload.
Individualized strategies to keep your life organized can help. This can include daily routines, activities you enjoy, scheduled phone calls with family or friends—any form of self-care that allows you to regulate and reduce stress.
Managing Daily Living Tasks
Managing everyday domestic responsibilities like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry and hygiene are fundamental to independent living. But sensory sensitivities, task sequencing and other issues can make errands and chores challenging for an individual with autism and/or I/DD.
Establishing practical strategies can help reduce stress, increase routines and build confidence. Schedules, checklists and automated reminders can provide order and predictability. Turning a big task into a series of smaller ones can make it manageable and less intimidating. Such frameworks can help make daily goals achievable.
To prepare for such a major life decision, many individuals choose a life skills training program like the First Place Transition Academy. Developed with Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), the Transition Academy is a two-year program that helps adults with autism build crucial independent living and career-readiness skills.
Financial Management
Living independently requires financial decision making, yet paying bills (including rent!), budgeting for necessities and saving money can be impacted by executive function challenges and anxiety.
Easy-to-use tools can help. Bill pay services ensure timely payments. Budgeting apps can provide visual management, real-time tracking and automatic savings, as well as reduce cognitive load. Some individuals may even find that their math skills come in handy.
It’s important to remember that money management is a skill. It may need to be learned gradually, fueled by natural consequences—and a support person or coach can help. Explore all your options!
Employment & Workplace Adaptation
A good job can teach skills, build confidence, foster relationships and provide purpose. For individuals with autism and/or I/DD, this can be life changing—yet many have never been employed due to lack of experience with communication and interview skills, work environments that are not neuro-inclusive and misunderstood job expectations.
Doors are opening, however, as more neurodivergent jobseekers enroll in employment training programs like Be Ready®. that can prepare you to succeed in the workplace by exposing skills, teaching job readiness and instilling confidence. It’s important to find the right opportunity. The job must align with your skills, the location must be accessible and the employer must provide reasonable accommodations.
Social Isolation & Building Relationships
It’s not unusual for individuals with autism and/or I/DD to experience social isolation due to lack of communication skills, as well as behavioral differences and intense efforts put into masking. It’s also important to note that isolation may actually work for some individuals. But if it’s accompanied by loneliness or depression, tools and strategies for changing course are recommended.
Exploring independence in a community with structured social and learning programs may be one solution. They can provide built-in mechanisms for building friendships and discovering new interests. Social skills training can also foster relationship building by improving communication and emotional regulation.
Navigating Transportation & Its Opportunities
The ability to go from one place to another is a key element of independence. It’s the ultimate freedom. Many people with autism and/or I/DD drive. But for those who don’t, unpredictable public transportation schedules, sensory issues in crowded places and executive function challenges can make transportation difficult. This can impact various other dimensions of an independent life: employment, shopping, social outings and healthcare.
Like so many things in life, practice helps. Getting on a bus or train with family or friends, learning routes and getting used to the crowds can help make using public transportation routine. A navigation app or visual map can simplify the process.
Start slow and steady. Get to know your immediate neighborhood first. Then as you get comfortable, venture out and explore—but stay within your comfort level. Navigating your environment shouldn’t cause anxiety.
Being Mindful of Sensory Sensitivities
With new environments come new sensory stimuli. Unexpected noises, lights and smells. Larger, more unpredictable crowds. All can result in overstimulation, added stress and difficulty coping in a new environment.
Your strategy: Create a sensory-friendly environment within your new home. Consider removing fluorescent lights and using dimmable lighting. Choose neutral colors for decor. Use rugs or acoustic panels to reduce the volume of room sounds. And keep your noise-canceling headphones on hand.
Self-Care: Maintaining Mental & Emotional Well-Being
Living in a world made for a neurotypical population can add stressors, so it’s important to make time for self-care. Establish calming routines that reduce burnout. Use special interests—fitness, movies, LEGOS® or video games—to promote recreation and relaxation. Stay close to your support network of family and friends—and use it to help you seek counseling if needed.
Tips for a Successful Transition to Independent Living
It always helps to ease into any new environment or living situation. If this is your first time living independently, here are some things to consider:
Set realistic goals. Remember, you and your support community define what success looks like. Make your goals achievable and spread them out—you don’t need to check them off all at once.
Build your life skills early. Make sure you feel comfortable doing laundry, preparing meals, cleaning your space and taking care of your personal hygiene.
Advocate for yourself. You know what makes you feel comfortable—and what makes you feel uncomfortable. Speak up and let people know.
Celebrate every win. As you reach milestones—your first new friend, your first bus ride, your first month on your own—let your friends and family know, then pat yourself on the back. As they say at First Place–Phoenix, “One first leads to the next!”
Be safe and have fun. Your family and friends are cheering you on!