I’m worried about my sons future too. He is very similar, even down to the phone issues. I’m hopeful, but anticipating him living at home for quite awhile.

I have a 20 year old son with Asperger’s Syndrome and it is still a daily challenge and downright hellish at times. He is in college, albeit the slow but sure path, can drive (first one his therapist knew of) which helps us a great deal. However…..

- Every disagreement is argued into the ground due to literal interpretation.

- He will not answer the phone unless he knows exactly who it is.

- He will not call anyone on the phone unless he knows them personally (i.e. will not call college when there are problems or talk to professors)

- I still buy his clothes because shopping makes him nervous and the clothes have to feel soft (tactile sensation issue).

- Cannot send him on errands where someone might ask a question he cannot immediately answer.

- Still only eats a small variety of foods.

- Has not yet ever had a job, although he has volunteered.

- Sabotages job applications where he’s afraid of having to work with the public (duh!)

That being said, we know that if he had the means to be self-sufficient, he could take care of himself so far as food prep, laundry, banking (so long as he doesn’t have to call anyone), grocery shopping are concerned. Someone else would probably have to handle the bill paying. I’m hoping some nice young woman, who thinks he’s cute and eccentric, will take him off of our hands.

Or else he’s living with us for the rest of MY life, at least.

And I’m going to Blogher 2009!
Pop and Ice´s last blog ..Anniversary Flowers

The amount of false hope attached to those words scares even me. My son is mainstreamed in school, but will always require supports of some sort.

And you know what? That’s okay. Even CEO’s of companies have “support”. They are called Personal Assistants.

The reality is these children will always struggle to conform to society’s standards and will in most cases not be appreciated for their wonderful gifts.

That’s why, to me, throwing those words around is dangerous because when you are a new parent AND you face this daunting mountain, a cure sounds like the missing component. What happens when your child doesn’t respond? What happens if the end result isn’t what the book said it would be? Why can’t it be a journey THROUGH Autism instead of trying desperately for a “cure”?

I REALLY wanted to like her book. I related to so much. But I had to take the title into consideration and I couldn’t reconcile the fantastic message with the potential empty promise.

All she had to do was change a few words.

I loved Leeann’s book – not so much for the ‘cure’ but for the big picture – I could relate to like 99% of it, and that was kind of scary and cool to me, as if I was reading a book about my family in so many ways.

My son is making huge improvements. Some may say recovery. Definitely not “cured”. He’ll always be Alex and always have autism spectrum disorder (HFA). The word “cure” is such a hot button. Bonnie and I were talking about this and we both agreed that we wonder how kids who have been undiagnosed will fair down the road, especially when they are so young. Will their autism truly be a thing of the past or with them forever? I don’t know. So much is unknown. I do know that my son is a huge blessing and gift and I continue to be amazed by him. I don’t want to “change” him, I want him to be healthy and happy.

Actually, right now what I want most of all is for him to SLEEP! 11am and wicked T-storms.. forgeddaboudit!!!