The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Diagnosed with Aspergers at the age of 14, Jonathan offers a unique perspective to find creative solutions for long term planning. Breaking out of the Bubble offers insights into a number of transition related topics including flexible thinking, expanding the comfort zone, managing failure and achieving long term independence goals. Why are some adults on the spectrum independent and successful while others struggle—sometimes for their whole lives?  This presentation offers an explanation and explores the topic of transition and long-term planning in ways that apply to parents of young children as well as adults on spectrum.

Measuring success can be difficult, as each individual has a different definition of success and different methods of quantifying it.  Jonathan believes that, while there is no way to guarantee success, the right plan and proper supports can increase an individual’s opportunities for success and reach the goal of achieving their maximum level of independence.  This philosophy applies across the spectrum and is applicable to any age.

“Breaking Out of the Bubble” addresses key areas in planning for success and independence in adulthood:

Failure – Children on spectrum often have a very different experience in learning how to experience failure, manage the outcome, and put it into context for future opportunities.  The consequences are often more significant for a child on spectrum and, as a result, they grow up with far fewer experiences than their peers.  As they get older, their support network fades, and many have to learn those lessons the hard way, as adults.  The impact can be long-lasting.  “Bubble” offers tips in managing the response to failure and giving both children and adults opportunities to fail safely and in ways they can learn from.

The Comfort Zone - Jonathan sees many autistic individuals, both children and adults, functioning inside a “bubble” where they are safe, in control, and function in ways that are routine and predictable.  Their steps outside of that comfort zone are small, short, and rarely supported in ways that allow for further development into the “grey area” where an individual is challenged.  “Bubble” provides concepts and ideas to begin getting out of the comfort zone and learning to function in the “grey area” which is not only key to thriving in adulthood, but also the area where we learn the most.  Jonathan shares stories of his experience learning to drive in his late 20’s and the way that being pushed slowly but firmly by his instructor, from side streets to the freeway, lead him to overcome a lifelong challenge.