Reading

From the readings I plan on giving my textbook to a parent of a client of mine. We know that he will not be successful on his own as he currently shows no desire to eat, keep clean or do anything that is not either computer or movie related.

As we look to where and what he may do once he graduates from high school, we also wonder where he will live and how will he ever support himself as he lacks ambition as well. This young man is personable enough, but does not do ANYTHING at all without being told to do so.

He also calls everyone he meets a "friend", yet I have tried to teach him that not everyone is a friend. He can never remember his "friend's" names and I have tried to stress that this is almost a requirement if one is a real friend....

As a support to this emerging individual, I wish that he had more natural male supports that would step up to the plate and educate him where as my being female he does not respect me part of the time. We both get frustrated when he asks me questions that I can not answer and he will not go else where to ask these questions that he feels are valuable.

Maine needs so many more services for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. These individuals need places that they can be themselves and not stick out. They also need to learn more advocacy skills that so many schools do not encourage.

Class - 12/9/2007

Wow!!! Listening to Andy's ideas and history was incredible. I always admire those that fight to be part of the population even when the population/society is not so kind.

I have been to another presentation with another young man on the spectrum and he presents with a gentleman to law enforcement officials. The young gentleman spoke of how he was treated by those of the justice system and the problems that he had - one of which was having girlfriends that were minors. (You can get more information on this presentation from the Autism Society of Maine)

From this presentation I would like to continue reading biographies of those on the spectrum. I have read a few, but not many and everyone is so unique and such different ideas and programs, that I think it would be great to be well rounded in what has worked for others and keep all this in mind when others come along or the various options out there.

I have also been thinking about something else that I had heard once - someone on the spectrum could not get their drivers license and so they finally asked someone what exactly yellow onthe stop light meant - he knew that green meant go and red meant stop, but did not know for sure what caution meant.

Once it was explained that he could stop before entering the intersection, he did get his license the next time.

We take so many things for granted - I enjoy meeting people with different thinking processes and learning more from them!!

Check out a community for those affected with ASD -

www.foggyrock.com

and

www.iabida.com