Aspies For Freedom

My son J.S, is now 33 years of age has never been formally diagnosed with AS.  During his youth and young adulthood he had been diagnosed with OCD and Tourette's syndrome, but I always felt that there was something else involved.  When I first read about AS I knew that the symptoms described him perfectly.  

His IQ is in the genius range.  He has a BS in computer science and worked as a computer software technician with a major company for four years.  His sister found the job for him.  Since his lay off from the company he has been living off his savings alone in his childhood home (four years).  During this time he has not sought work.  He volunteers as a computer tech for the local police station, but otherwise is alone.  I live 1200 miles away.

Although I have sent him much information about AS he absolutely refuses to admit that this is his problem.  I am very much concerned about his future.  He money will not last forever and I feel that his mental state he extremely precarious from his self-imposed isolation.

I would be very much interested in ideas from others, both parents and adults with AS.[/color][/size][/font]

That's common. It doesn't matter if he's unwilling to accept it. It's not like there's some magical cure out there for him, (or even like he would need one if there was).

My dad's probably an undiagnosed aspie, and my brother, too.  I thin it'd be helpful for them to realize that, but they apparently aren't ready for it.

I can see why. Most of us have had childhoods full of accusations that we're weird, bad, cold, strange, etc etc, in other words, not acceptable or lovable as we are. Being told that we have autism (somethign commonly associated with retardation, not speaking, head banging, and constant rocking) isn't exactly welcome news, especially if you're unaware that some autistics are extremely high functioning and go pretty much undetected through life.

I would just let it go, and let him know that you do care about him and love him for precisely what he is., that you don't see him as "defective" or wish he were "normal".

Recommend him to this site. This site is full of people who have accepted who they are at ages as young as 13 (that's me), which should help him accept himself too. Also, we happen toi enjoy the company of each other, and he will probably enjoy our company, and discover just how wonderful it is to be autistic.

I would try and look at things from another point as well now i don't know you son but maybe he does not have Asperger's. I am not calling mothers but i am claiming disability living allowance cause of my mum for a disability i don't suffer from well none of the symptoms in the description.