Comments on: Not a Fairy Tale and Not a Tragedy: Autistic Adults

By: Elaine Mack

Elaine Mack — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:08:34 +0000

I can not find biomedical therapists or behaviioral therapists for my adult son who has Asperger’s Syndrome. I live near Atlantic City, New Jersey. Can you help me?

Thank you

By: Karen DeGroot Carter

Karen DeGroot Carter — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:09:14 +0000

Kristina, I’m in awe of all you do to help raise awareness. You go so far beyond simply listing current stories in the media. I’ve highlighted your blog (again) and this post in particular on my diversity blog, BEYOND Understanding. Best always, K.

By: HCN

HCN — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:13:22 +0000

Here is an article on Asperger’s and the workplace (particularly computer specialists), that you might find interesting:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&articleId=9072119

By: Michelle Dawson

Michelle Dawson — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:39:52 +0000

Jen wrote, “there are no services for autistic adults in Canada”

Yes–little or nothing. Why? Here’s one reason: autism advocates here have rejected the existing scientific consensus (a high, stable rate of autism) and instread promoted the autism “epidemic.” In doing so, they are anti-scientifically denying that most older autistics exist.

E.g., FEAT, a powerful autism advocacy group fully supported by Mr Doherty, has widely distributed a “fact sheet” promoting the autism “epidemic” and claiming that few autistics (1 in 10,000) existed 10 years ago. This has resulted in political leaders being certain that most or all autistic people are young children. In this way, autism advocates in Canada have told governments that they have little or no obligation to notice much less provide services for older autistics.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:12:19 +0000

From the Salt Lake Tribune, a report on the Family Work Center, which has been open for 50 years and provides employment for disabled adults.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:13:25 +0000

@Jen,

I hope the home where your uncle is can provide him with the supports he need for the long term. What would be the first organization, agency or other group that you think should be first turned to?

@Harold L. Doherty,

As a college professor, being able to assist college students on the spectrum has been an unexpected and important vocation, as important as the teaching I have done and continue to do for my son. Very best wishes—-

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:10:41 +0000

Finding care for my autistic, 54 y.o. uncle was a nightmare as there are no services for autistic adults in Canada. I was finally able to convince my province’s social services that I, as a sufferer of chronic illness (SLE, RA AND MS) was too ill to give Peter the care he needed as he had been abused and neglected by his own family. He has found a haven in an old folk’s home where he gets the medical care he needs and many a patient ear to listen to his “stories”. In fact, I can’t even find a doctor who will care for Peter and his autism and his history of abuse. No one wants to take on the challenge. A sad state indeed.

This is an issue that needs to be addressed NOW: before the kids grow up and, like my uncle Peter, are left without the social structure they so badly need.

By: Harold L Doherty

Harold L Doherty — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:59:58 +0000

Yes the life situation of autistic adults will be of concern as I have blogged about in the past.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=CzDMaRud1QrjpBDjpgmuOeQ59Cz9BpOMRZSZgwBB506ZBLS8bS&bbParentWidgetId=B8wu4iZ7dr873Su

It is nice that Mr. Ne’eman and other high functioning PDD spectrum adults who can attend college and write internet essays can be heard about their situation. I hope that the various task forces take into account the needs of the severely autistic persons whose parents and care givers actually understand their requirements and speak for them. And give them those parents and care givers an audience.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:53:33 +0000

Even one-quarter of the energy etc. would make a difference.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:39:36 +0000

I wish that HALF of the energy, commitment, passion, effort, etc. that goes into the anti-mercury-in-vaccines campaign (a campaign that, whatever its merits, seems to have been largely won) would go into making sure there are services and a safety net for adults with autism.

For example, I was stunned by the silence of the autism community when Social Security was under attack a few years ago. If everyone who works puts their social security contributions into private accounts, where is the money for SS disability payments going to come from? And if there’s no more SS-disability, what happens to the people who depend on it? That silence really turned me off of the national autism organizations. If they’re not going to fight for something like that, what good are they?