BTN.com staff, January 1, 2015

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One out of 68 children born in the U.S. have some form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). And billions of dollars and thousands of medical professionals have been marshalled to help affected kids meet that challenge.

However, very little resources have been devoted to treatment and support for adults with autism. As a result, many ASD sufferers who made great strides in behavior and confidence in their adolescence find themselves adrift when they cross the threshold into legal adulthood and find themselves without any specialized care.

Braden Gertz, a young man with autism living in Columbus, is one of the fortunate few who has access to a system designed for people like him. The Center for Autism Services and Transition (CAST) at The Ohio State University?s Wexner Medical Center provides services that help Gertz and other patients with similar challenges live as productively and independently as possible.

[btn-post-package]Today, Gertz lives in his own apartment, does his own grocery shopping and serves as an early childhood education specialist at Ohio State?s Nisonger Center for developmental disabilities. In that role, he helps children with autism by developing lesson plans, helping them with arts and crafts, and making sure they play safely.

?I love working at the Nisonger Center because I love kids,? Gertz said. ?It makes me happy because it gives me something to do. I?m teaching kids with autism to live a happy life.?

Watch the one-minute video above to learn more about the CAST center and how it?s helping Gertz and other adults with autism live a happy life, too.