“They Don’t Stay Little Forever…” – Preparing for Adulthood with ASD

Most of us are so deep in the fight—EHCPs, diagnoses, school placements, Tribunal appeals—that we barely have time to breathe, let alone think about the future. But here’s the truth no one tells you early enough:

👉 Our children with autism grow up.
And when they do, the whole system changes.

Support doesn’t automatically continue after 16 or 18. New assessments, new criteria, adult social care, college or employment options, benefits changes—it’s like starting all over again… just when you thought you were getting somewhere.

Here’s what you can start thinking about early, even if your child is still in primary school:

✅ Make sure the EHCP includes Preparing for Adulthood outcomes by Year 9 – It’s the law, but many LAs skip it.
✅ Start gathering evidence for things like independence, travel training, managing money, or support needs at home
✅ Get familiar with adult services – Education, health, social care… they all work differently after 18.
✅ Think about benefits – PIP (not DLA) and adult ESA/Universal Credit are a whole new world.
✅ And most importantly: talk to your child about their hopes, goals, and fears. Their voice matters.

Let’s not wait until they turn 17 to realise we needed to start this years ago. You’re not failing if you didn’t know this—it’s just one more thing the system doesn’t make clear.

We’re here for all of it—from first diagnosis to adulthood.
💛 Come by and see us at AskEllie.co.uk for help navigating what’s next.