Get to Know Each Other Forum

Hi fgaillard, and welcome.

Thank you for sharing your encouraging words about how well children on the spectrum can do. They DO grow, change, and mature. I was thinking of your words last night when I attended a talk by two adults on the spectrum. One was 48 years old, and had been called "mentally retarded" as a child. His parents had even been told to institutionalize him. He now holds a good paying government job. The other was 26, and had also struggled throughout his school years, but was now working four 10 hour days in a good paying job.

Neither had become not-autistic, but both had made huge strides since childhood. They reported out of control behavior as children, and losing jobs as adults, but learning throughout the process. Both had learned about their own issues, and how to manage them, as well as about the laws protecting them and the resources that could help. They had become able to advocate for themselves, as well as organize their work lives to minimize their deficits and maximize their strengths. They were both living meaningful and productive lives. It was so inspiring to see their hard won success.

Of course, there are many different levels of functioning. Not everyone will someday live independently, but everyone can make progress. We have just posted an article, in fact, that discusses how even adults with autism can benefit from behavioral interventions once directed only at children:

http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/therapies_treatments/beyond_childhood

Hi! After a long road and years of saying something just isn't right a prominent university has just diagnosed my son with ASD. It answers everything and nothing all at the same time. I am wondering how to find local support groups? I feel like I bought a plane ticket to Rome and just got of the plane in the middle of the Amazon jungle. I'm lost and hot on the trail to learn and do everything I can all at the same time. Through all this a man I married (not my sons dad) took off unwilling to stay the course. While many say forget him for all he's done and I most certainly will, it doesn't make things any easier. I need to find support fast! Thanks for any information and words of wisdom from parents who have walked in my shoes. Your advice is priceless and valued.

Welcome, Momteaches. I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles, but very glad to hear your son has received a diagnosis. Although things are still not easy, having a firm diagnosis in hand often makes understanding what is going on and getting help much more doable.

Usually, parents find two things help them the most when they are just starting out: learning about ASDs and learning from those who have already walked the road before them.

To learn about ASD, I hope you will use this website, especially the Newly Diagnosed, About ASDs, and Challenging Behavior sections. Not only can you gather valuable basic information there, but you can refer others you are trying to educate there, or print out information for them, whether they are relatives, teachers, or neighbors.

Newly Diagnosed Info: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/newly_diagnosed/
About ASDs: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_asds/
Challenging Behaviors: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/challenging_behavior/

To find local support, services, and education for themselves so they will be better advocates(about things like the law determining the rights of a child with special needs in the U.S. education system), parents often turn to advocacy organizations.

Some helpful resources include:

Autism Speaks: http://www.autismspeaks.org
(Check out especially their Family Services guide, which has links to all sorts of local resources by state: http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/fsdb/index.php)

The Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=newsite_homepage
(Check out their local chapters and support groups, as well as their Resource Directory called "Autism Source.")

Sometimes local organizations also exist. Here in Maryland, for example, we have an organization called "Pathfinders for Autism" that provides local help. Remember, too, that the group that diagnosed your child may have some ideas about local resources. Attending a local autism conference or fundraising event (like a walk) is another good way to hook up with others and find out what is going on in your area.

Remember that you are not alone, and not the first one to have to figure all this out. My best wishes to you as you start your journey.

Hello! I'm an individual with autism, and I am so happy to be on this site! It's like my support group for people with autism!

I am difficult to get to know

however, i am willing to cooperate with people like myself

Welcome to Tiffany and Calypso33.

Thank you for joining us on this autism research-focused site.

Tiffany, just in case you hadn't discovered it yet, there is a section of our website focused on adults with autism spectrum disorders, here: http://iancommunity.org/cs/adults/

Some other sites that are also focused on adults with ASD are:

http://www.wrongplanet.net

http://www.grasp.org

Hello,I am new herelearning to navigate this place,I am moderatly easy to know although Ido have My stubbern streak,good to discover You Guys

Welcome to IAN, Treehugger.

It is nice to have you here.

In case you didn't know, I wanted to tell you that we are working on expanding the "Adults with ASD" section of our website. We just put up a new article about if, how, and when to disclose to others that you have an ASD. See: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/adults/