WeAreAutism.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Autism

Dani

They have houses for kids with autism after they turn 21 and can no longer attend high school in our community. I don't know if it is the same where you live or not, its different everywhere around the world of course. These houses usually have a married couple that help the kids get small jobs and keep up with their meds but these houses for made for the kids to become independent and have normal lives. I know thats hard to picture but it can happen.

I hope you have heard of them if not I'm sure you could found out a lot of info about it online.

 

43 months ago

Ryan

I'm an adult with Autism and while I unfortunately don't have a license to drive, I do manage to take care of myself.

I don't know what level of Autism your daughter has but have hope.

Take care and God Bless

 

43 months ago

Joanna

It's sad you don't have hope for your child. My daughter is turning 6 at the end of AUgust and I ahve a lot of hope for her. If I don't who will? You should have goals for your child and help your child to realize them please don't give up on your child.

43 months ago

Joyce

While it may be hard to think beyond the hear and now and only imagine the worst case scenerio thats not healthy or beneficial to you or her. My daughter will be 4 in August. Shes Moderat on the spectrum and although she speaks little now and has a hard time undressing herself without help she gets more skills every day. I think about the huge strides shes made just in the 2 years since her diagnosis and im fulled with tremendous hope. While a couple years ago I couldnt imagine her on her own or even dating those are things I can think of now as her interaction with others has gotten better. there is ALWAYS hope.

43 months ago

mom

My husband I worry about the future for our son.  We have deided to hope and work towards the best possible outcome and plan for the worst.  We are meeting with a financial planner to set up an account dedicated to the care of our son.  It will be very hard to put money away but in the event he needs care after we are gone it's the only thing we can do.  I mean I have worked at nursing homes and long term care facilities,I can't bear the idea that when I am gone he could end up in a place like that.  So it really is a win,win senario. The money is there if he needs care and the money is there if he doesn't-who knows he may laugh one day that we worried so much about his future.

43 months ago

marissa

when my son was 4 I called the dept of mental retardation to put him on the waitng list for services like a personal assistant, residential etc, he was on that list for 12 years, he is 19 now lives at home with me goes to a day program so i can work and has a personal  assistant on weekends and afternoons,so when we are ready he can go into supported living and have 1 roommate and 24 hour supervision, so it will help if you plan ahead.

43 months ago

Kelly

I actually do work for a non-profit agency that has a 24 hour site based program for supported community living. This is available to our consumers after they turn 18 and are on the MR waiver, and are ready to live independently. The thing that I feel really is bad for our kids-those that are not considered MR- is that they can't receive the SCL services, and only get respite services. I have heard rumors about an autism waiver here in Iowa, but have yet to see it happen. As for my daughter, since she is not MR (her IQ was last evaluated at a 71), I plan to keep her with me. Although she's only 13 right now, I really don't see her living independently, as she needs constant reminders for self-care, even though she can do most of it on her own.

43 months ago

Melissa

My son is 18 now. And yes I do still worry about him when I am no longer around. But I also know that through all these years of hard work, support and positive reinforcement he will do wonderfully too. Why 10 years ago I was really scared. Everyone was telling us the outlook was not good. We went through more care givers than I can shake a stick at. He was having so much trouble and difficulty that we were told, in all liklihood, we would have to seriously consider residential confinement for his safety and the safety of others. They made it sound like there wasn't much hope for the future. But I CLUNG to hope! I was determined to put those thoughts aside and ONLY cross that bridge if necessary. 

That was 10 years ago. No, his Autistic Spectrum Disorders/Aspergers will never go away. But today I AM convinced he will do awesomely! I never once gave up hope! He will be graduating next year from high school with a B-average and a regular ed. diploma! I have him enrolled in an excellent community organization here who will help him transition after school. We will be looking at possible jobs and maybe even a group home where he will have a bit more independence from me but still have help as he needs it as he will always need help with self-care and such. And that is his choice :o). He thinks he would like to try it and I am fully supportive of his every step! It's been a long hard road and will still be tough, but with patience, perseverance and lots of hard work, support and positive reinforcement I know he will do fine. That's not to say I still won't worry lol, but at least I know he will have a great quality of life. Now he may find he doesn't like a group home and want to come back and that's fine to. But I at least want him to try it so that should the day come when I am no longer here or able to care for him it won't be such a drastic change.

I feel it is so important to encourage them along the way. As I've said before, realistically I won't always be here and he needs to get used to others helping him along the way. I have also made a legal plan/outline/will for his future for that day when I am no longer around or able to oversee his care. This is to ensure his needs will always be met. I know no one likes to think about those things, but they are necessary.  

 

43 months ago

jdp6720

I believe their is a difference in giving up hope and and planning for all posssible outcomes.  When I see my son now at 4, I am concerned about his futrure too.  I do not know any adults with Autism so that is why I signed up here today.  I hope to meet them.  Anyway , there is definatley a lot of diagnosed cases now and Autism is gathereing more attention in the media.  I have not seen this relate to any real help for my child or us parents yet, but I see progress can come from this too.  It is us who will have to make things happen together for our children.  That is our only hope. 

42 months ago

Furious

I have hope for my sons. There is a lot of help for them and autistic kids are very smart.  I have hope for my sons to get a job and live on their own and even to go to college.

42 months ago