11-14-2006, 07:51 PM
Just Hoping, I have a slightly different take on this than most of the bright young people here. I'm an aspie, age 53 (I beat the one who was 52 :lol: ). I'm a lot like J. Yes, I'm AS, but not a high functioning AS, and never could do school well and could never hold a job. Trust me, if I could have made money being a janitor cleaning toilets I would have been happy. Why? Because it was a JOB and MY money. As it was, back then, there WAS no AS, so I got married to avoid being homeless. I have an adopted son who is PDD-NOS. I am VERY in favor of assisted living--an apartment for those with a disability isn't expensive and the simple fact is, I wont' live forever. If he's with us, what will he do when we pass on? He had a speech delay or I believe he'd be dxd. with AS, but his common sense isn't there about life decisions, nor is mine. I am sooooooooo naive. I'm surprised I'm still alive, but somehow I am in spite of how I take everyone at face value. I was a horrible driver too, but I learned to compensate, and am now a really good one. I did not mature, like some, between 25-35. I stayed very young and perhaps I still am. I could never live 100% on my own without Disability. I would also be really depressed if I still lived with my aging parents. Assisted living forces you "out there" with others and I need that kick. Remember, I only speak for myself, and what I hope to do for my son. Everyone has a valid opinion. but living in the US, there are many services available for your son. He has to want to utilize them.
Your story about meeting some girl in a bad neighborhood had me shaking my head. THAT I'd never do, but my friend's 29 year old Aspie did just that and got held up at gunpoint. He still lives at his home, and refuses treatment, insisting he had enough therapy and interventions and he's done. My friend is beside herself. She is 50, and wonders how he will fare when she's gone. I can only offer my empathy and my plans for my now thirteen year old son. I wouldn't put him in an apartment right after high school though. Maybe mid-twenties.
Your story about meeting some girl in a bad neighborhood had me shaking my head. THAT I'd never do, but my friend's 29 year old Aspie did just that and got held up at gunpoint. He still lives at his home, and refuses treatment, insisting he had enough therapy and interventions and he's done. My friend is beside herself. She is 50, and wonders how he will fare when she's gone. I can only offer my empathy and my plans for my now thirteen year old son. I wouldn't put him in an apartment right after high school though. Maybe mid-twenties.