So, earlier today I pulled up Google Play Store apps for autism to better understand if there are tools out there that can help in any meaningful way, even just a tiny bit. What I actually noticed, which was surprising to see, is that most, if not all, apps upon typing "autism apps" in the search bar are strongly targeted towards kids who are diagnosed with autism or on the verge of getting doing so.and parents who have concerns about their child or children that are on the spectrum. From what I've noticed, there is an extremely apparent gap in tools that help specifically support autistic adults (likely someone like you reading this post). It's a main concern and revealing to the point where autistic adults are almost entirely ignored when it comes to support on either platform, and just support in general? But why is this?
The main issue, I think, lies in the natural perception of those around us who are not neurodivergent (Or to be specific, autistic) that they see the neurological difference as something temporary or something that is only around when you are a kid and no longer apparent for the remainder of your life. This is simply NOT TRUE. Most apps on both the Google Play Store and Apple Store specifically target parents whose children are diagnosed or on the verge of diagnosis on the spectrum due to their concerns for their personal development, but when it comes to adulthood, nearly zero tools in terms of personal support are to be found. This likely is due to how most autistic adults are perceived in the world and how their concerns and issues they very often face are often treated as a small issue or ignored entirely, and that most developers of these apps simply are under the impression and/or belief that autism simply "stops" at 18. This is not true, as being autistic is a lifelong experience that will never go away (Which obviously isn't a bad thing!). But so many people that are outside of this perspective often ignore this or simply aren't aware of this, leading to these apps easily dominating both platforms, with autistic support into adulthood being pretty much entirely ignored or not taken seriously, even.
Definitely a major and unfortunate concern. In the U.S, up to 85% of autistic adults are estimated to be unemployed, and while of course that is simply just an estimate and easily could be a lot lower, considering it's that high is already a major concern about how the tools that are currently present, if any, are simply not enough or barely put a dent into providing a good amount of support to autistic people out there, with their problems being ignored, brushed off, and even in some cases mocked online, leading to the support and understanding of such to be severely devalued. Social communication, for instance, has been (and still very much is) a critical problem that also lacks accommodation. Which can easily combine with issues in the workplace being very challenging and very uncomfortable on the sensory side of things, leading to most autistic people simply resigning from uncomfortable work positions despite very much wanting to work. It's been a major concern for years, and both platforms have yet to show any real considerable support, leading most autistic adults (including myself) to struggle a lot in today's society.
For instance, easily, more support and awareness of how autistic people's struggles are ACTUALLY struggles and simply not something to be brushed off. The majority of the app store's apps are simply targeting kids, and ONLY kids, which makes a lot of people on the spectrum like myself feel an immense lack of support, which often leads to burnout, a very common scenario. Some simple, yet very effective ways to help strongly combat these struggles would be
I'm sure you are also like me, who is also neurodivergent and constantly faces struggle after struggle after struggle, with not a whiff of support in general, whether it is in a tool format or in real life, where most of the struggles manifest and build up to something immensely difficult and frustrating. This is something I am immensely proud and confident to start building that will hopefully benefit not just me, but as many autistic adults as possible, by providing a simple tool and solution from someone who genuinely understands the problems from the lens of someone who is actually autistic. Masking, burnout, and shutdowns are very common and clearly displayed (Directly or indirectly) scenarios that we often face, which often get ignored, and I definitely believe for sure that there is a way to greatly minimize that stress, even if the environment around us refuses to acknowledge it as such, whether the problems are spoken out loud to those who may perceive those struggles as minor or not apparent at all. No neurotypical fuss, assumptions, or beliefs. Simply a tool that can help and can make the very constant struggles or perceiving life in a different way a lot more manageable, as it should be. <3
Thank you, as always, for reading! :)
