Article: Exploring Predictors of Postsecondary Outcomes for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. By Nasamran and others. In Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 2017, 52(4).
There is more and more research directed at what is happening to ASD kids when they graduate high school. The good news, according to this article, is that the number of people with an ASD pursuing postsecondary options (college, trade, employment, etc.) seems to be increasing significantly. The downside is that ASD individuals without an Intellectual Disability (i.e., High-Functioning ASD) achieve less postsecondary education and employment than their neurotypical peers and most people with other types of disabilities. Get this: at least one study found that people with ASD with Intellectual Disabilities (i.e., low-functioning ASD) outperformed their High-functioning counterparts in postsecondary outcomes.
This study confirmed that both academic achievement and social skill development were predictive of postsecondary outcomes in individuals with a High-functioning ASD diagnosis. This is, consequently, the same for all people-good grades and strong ability to interact effectively with both peers and people in authority are a huge benefit to people in college and the work world. This is a reductionist statment, but grades and politeness matter, even for people on the Spectrum.
What is science saying are some of the best ways to assure your ASD child is prepared? See previous/future posts.