Can a child with autism have a normal adult life, like getting married, having a job, etc.?
469151
Here are some books that might help:\nAutism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide by \nChantal Sicile-Kira, Temple Grandin\n\nAlso, a look at applied behavioural analysis, one of the most commonly used and reliable treatments is seen in the book\n\nApplied Behaviour Analysis and Autism: Building a Future Together ~ by Mickey Keenan (Editor), et al\n \nthere are many good Yahoo groups for people with your questions:\nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=autism&submit=Search\n\nYes, your child can have a normal adult life, with a whole lot of support from his family and friends.  The specifics of a driver's license depends entirely on his individual ability.  My non-autistic friend didn't get one until she was 30 years old, out of fear.  My autistic brother got one when he was 21, which is how long it took him to learn the skills he needed.
783531
I have a son with Autism. He brought into my life a new dimension, a new and different meaning of 'special'. \nWhat I mean is, the beauty in his sole, the love for me in his heart and the way I view the importance of various things in my life (environment) is even more grounded and realistic than ever.\nNothing is superficial. Nothing is taken for granted. \nI feel that it's not so much my environment that tends to influence my views anymore, but being blessed with my son has influenced my views on my environment.\nDon't forget that people with disabilities, whether thay can successfully communicate with you or not, still have a sole, heart and 'feel' just like you and me. Unfortunaltely, some people by-pass them in the playground or elsewhere, because they can sometimes look different. But get to know their soul, see what's in their heart and you'll be touched by something 'special' too.\n:)
477287
There are a couple of basic behaviors that autism spectrum disorders bring out in a person:\n\n1) Not understanding social cues - you have to let him know VERY clearly if you want or don't want something.  Any eye rolling, finger tapping, or shoulder shrugs may not even register with him.\n\n2) Obsession with specific topics - he probably has a few things that he could talk on and on and on about.  He will definitely have done his research and be hungry for any new information on whatever it is that interests him.\n\n3) When stressed, his ability to negotiate may be very limited - Stressful situations where a decision is called for (especially those where having to be rushed is part of it) could suddenly switch him into "overwhelmed" mode.  Until he's had a chance to slow down and calm down he may need very specific and clear requests made of him.\n\nAll this being said, a lot of your ability in able to handle a relationship with him will be in your acceptance that these things are NOT intentional for him.  He really is not TRYING to be annoying.\n\nWhat will help both of you is to have a high level of awareness and information around autism.  If he has acceptance of and knowledge about his autism, he will be more open to feedback and understanding of what helps him when he's stressed, etc.  Keep in mind that autism has NOTHING to do with a lack of intelligence.  He's probably very smart and able to put the pieces together if he's got specific and clear information.\n\nI am almost finished with my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology.  I also have a 13 y.o. daughter with autism spectrum disorder.  While she is very enjoyable, funny, smart, sweet, and creative - she can also get on my nerves.  I sometimes need to let her know that I need some time to myself or just need some silence.\n\nGood luck to the both of you.  I'm sure he's a fascinating guy, and hope the two of you can talk about and plan ahead how to cope with the annoying times.
137037
yes. you can have lots of the characteristics or just a few. no two autistic people have all the same traits.
223319
As the parent of a special needs child I can tell you the other answers are right to a certian degree but my personal experience has been you need to do a lot of the legwork yourself. They do have to abide by best placement for spec ed which is not always in your home district but this will likely be something you have to find first. \n\nHere are somethings that worked for me getting my son best placement.This is assuming you have your testing done and an IEP or 504 plan in place. \n\nFirst call your district special ed coordinator make an appt to sit down and discuss your childs issues and what would be best for your situation some schools have excellent facilities for physically challenged but not mental some have awesome autism classes but not learning disabilities etc. There may also be theraputic day schools or residential schools that may be an option that you did not know about.\n\n After you figure out where your child should be ask for a meeting in writing and CC every one involved with your child principal teachers therapist (depending on your childs particular need) school district rep spec ed rep and make sure you also take in support for yourself. This might be a social worker advocate service coordinator of friend or if you need any variety of them.\n\n Present all of you documentation testing education plan doctors recommendations ect this will solidify why they should pay to tranfer your child to a different district.\n\nAnd as a last resort (one I have threatened but  never had to follow up on but say it like you did it) is to get an education atty to represent your child. If you need more info contact your state bar assc. or local legal aid office.\n\nYou do have rights as does your child and you may need to be harsh to get what you need but do not wait for them to act first it is so much better to be proactive your child is one of thousands to them and the best thing to do is keep yours in the forefront.\n\nGood luck!
736153
Yes, I'm afraid it's a life sentence. That's the bad news. The good news is that the treatments are excellent, and there is no reason not to have a normal life, career and relationship.\n\nIt will take a while to get th eright meds for you, as we are all different, and it will take time for you to come to terms with the diagnosis. Be thankful you were diagnosed when you were - I had another 12 years before I was diagnosed.\n\nCome over to http://www.crazyboards.org or http://z9.invisionfree.com/Bipolar_Haven for some company
1171276
Biologically, yes, a normal person and a person with mental retardation can have a normal baby.  \nContrary to what mia t stated, the baby would not be a welfare target.  There is still one "normal" parent to care for the baby and another loving parent, who just happens to have mental retardation.  Also, just because some has mental retardation, that does not automatically mean they are incompetent.  Really, what's the difference between an IQ of 70 and 71?  \nI've met plenty of competent, caring people with mental retardation.
844445
Hi, I think autism and sensory disorders (trouble with balance) are inherited because quite a few people in my family are just like the people you are talking about. It could very well be Asperger's Syndrome because both boys and girls can have this and they do include all the problems that you mentioned. However...Asperger's Syndrome has no facial changes. It could be a different syndrome closely related though...lots of genetic syndromes can have symptoms that are very closely related to autism. Some syndromes even include what is called autistic like behaviors. Have you ever thought of getting the family...all of them tested at a geneticist? Also it could be a metabolic problem so you could also have everyone tested with a specialist in metabolics. The tests are usually just a simple blood test...nothing scary or anything. Good Luck!
406433
hey :) i work with children with severe autism. Autism is a developmental disorder and is the most common developmental disorder in a group called the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified . \n\nTho each child is individual most people with autism have impairments in social interaction, social communication, and imagination. This is referred to as the triad of impairments. \n\nI dont belive there is any direct research which shows autism is genetic, i think they are unsure about the cause.\n\nThere are lost of usefull websites on autism, and the autism awareness society. \n\nhttp://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer\nhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm\nhttp://www.learningdifficulties.org.au/autism.htm\n\nhope you find them helpful, all the best faerie rainbow dust x x x x x
1110311
"Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior."  Wikipedia\n\nAs to age, it used to be mostly very young children who were diagnosed with autism, but now it has become something of a catch-all diagnosis, and kids of all ages get the label.  The way I learned it in college, it meant a child who did not seem to grasp that other people were people, and instead treated them rather like objects.  They are very self-contained, which may be withdrawn or simply uninvolved with others.  Still, it seems there are mental health workers who can bring them out, get them interacting to some extent, and (perhaps more to the point) get their parents to appreciate their personalities and adapt to them.
503260
Hi.  My son is autistic.  He's twelve now, but was diagnosed at age 2 and a half. There are a few steps you can take.  If he was evaluated and diagnosed with autism, you should get a copy of the evaluation, as well as a copy of the official diagnosis.  I don't know when the child you want to assist was diagnosed, or how high functioning he is, but the very first thing you should do is try to get state funding for the various services offered.  You call your local agency necessarry for funding, and get an appt to do the whole application process. Where I live, the place I get funding from is called The Dept of Developmental Disabilities. Once you have funding, you will be assigned a case worker, who will talk to you about what services your child will need, and the best ones available. If you have the money to pay for these services yourself, that's ok, but it gets very expensive. Then go from there.From the way you described this child, I'm guessing you would do well with habilitation.(teaching lots of different things, mainly acedemics, some social behavior. Lots of public schools now have programs desined just for autistic kids. Look into that, because they learn so much in the classroom. For household activities, depending on what you are trying to teach him, I think you, and whoever lives with him, are the ones who need to teach that stuff. You need to be able to read his every thought, and act accordingly. If it's something he doesn't want to learn, he will resist and then he will associate that task with horrible feelings.  Know what he likes for rewards, and use a LOT of encouragement and positive reinforcement.General motor skills will often go for a physical therapist, and maybe an occupational therapist.  (one who specializes in the senses, and eases them into the various degrees of our senses) I know it's a lot to think about, and I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you. Good luck.
425405
yes adults can and actually many are because of aspergers, its a form of autism that until recently had been overlooked. how to be checked I am not sure I would recommend psycologist or neurologist.
423385
http://www.togetherforautism.org/\nhttp://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer\nhttp://www.thegraycenter.org/autismdisorders.cfm\nhttp://www.paains.org.uk/\n\nThese are support network sites for families impacted by autistic loved ones.\n\nSince you used the word "mum", I assume you're in the UK, so I have included a resource in the UK.\n\nMy brother in law is affected by a mild form of autism called Asperger Syndrome.  He is a successful one man dot.com retailer specializing in recording studio equipment for home based musicians and composers.  He's a homeowner and engaged to be married.\n\nGood Luck and God Bless
229480
(Not to sound mean or rude but) Leave him alone, the fact of the matter is that many individuals on the spectrum are already overstimulated and thus prefere to live in their own worlds that make sense.  The world of human interaction is scary and it takes a long time to try and figure it out with a lot of trial and error (but only when the individual is ready otherwise you unintentionally harming him).  I was 20 years old before *directly* asking for anything, otherwise it was done by comparison or hand leading.  If you want to encrouage & facilitate communication introduce to "peg booards" to request what he wants or (better yet) teach him to use a computer.  He will not only thrive but be far happier if you let him do things his way (within reason of course!) rather then forcing him out of his world but speaking a lot.
1119764
Here are some tips and suggestions that I hope will help you! I wish you all the best. Please keep in mind, as I'm sure you do, that not all children with autism are alike, and will have different needs. These are just guidelines, please consult an education professional who knows your child for the most accurate and relevant information for your family.\n\n- Recognize your child's strengths and interests and use these as opportunities for education (for example, if your child is very interested in Star Wars, you can teach math problems about Star Wars, make cleaning up into a game about Jedi powers, etc.) You never know when an interest may turn into a possible career option for the future (I recently read a book written by a man with Asperger's who made his childhood interest in "The Wizard of Oz" into seveal job opportunities! ["Demystifying the Autistic Experience" by William Stillman"]) (Source #1)\n\n- People with autism/Asperger's are often visual learners and learn well with pictures, charts, step-by-step written instructions, etc. (Source #1)\n\n- Consider reading books by authors with Autism/Asperger's (while these are often geared towards adults, I think they offer valuable information) Authors to consider include Temple Grandin, Edgar R. Schneider, Jerry Newport, Stephen Shore, and William Stillman (Source #1)\n\n- To motivate a child to use language, you could, for example if you know she wants juice, don't just give it to her becuase you know that's what she wants. Have her say, "juice," or if she is not ready for that yet, just the first sound of the word before you give her any juice. Gradually, very slowly, require him to say additional words such as, "want juice," then "want juice please," then "I want juice please, etc." before you give her the juice. Start with him requesting with one word for most of the things he wants (and keep this up for a long while), before starting to require sentences for any items. If you feel your child is not ready for this, please consider using the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as an early step before implementing the above procedure. (Source #1)\n\n- Make clear and objective descriptions of the behaviors that are concerning you. Then, make some notes whenever the behavior occurs. You could make a chart with three columns: (A) What happens before the behavior, (B) What the behavior was, and (C) What happened after or as a result of the behavior. You may find that it gets her attention from adults, or that it gets her a time-out (maybe she is overwhelmed in the situation and wants to be removed). If you see a pattern from the information you collect, you could teach her other ways to get attention or whatever she is gaining from doing these behaviors. These could include, tapping someone on the shoulder, asking for attention, handing someone a card that says, "attention please" or "all done" (to get permission to leave an area), etc. Also, make sure that you are giving her praise or a reinforcer (something she likes) when he is engaging in positive behavior. \n\n- "Many children with autism are good at drawing, art and computer programming. These talent areas should be encouraged. I think there needs to be much more emphasis on developing the child's talents. Talents can be turned into skills that can be used for future employment." (Source #2)\n\n- "Teaching generalization is often a problem for children with autism. To teach a child to generalize the principle of not running across the street, it must be taught in many different locations. If he is taught in only one location, the child will think that the rule only applies to one specific place." (Source #2)\n\n- "I interpret language literally. It's very confusing for me when you say, 'Hold your horses, cowboy!' when what you really mean is 'Please stop
122832
What do you need to know?\n\nMy niece has "strict" autism, as opposed to "Aspergers".  \n\nShe doesn't talk more than one word at a time, but understand a lot. (It's hard to know how much she understands since she can't tell us)  \n\nShe can't color in the lines, much less write.  I want to get a computer for her & see if I can get her to type.  \n\nShe is unusually affectionate for a child with autism, but it has to be on her terms.  She doesn't want people to come up & give here a great big hug, but she may give you a hug.  You have to give her some space.  She likes holding hands & carresses & seems to respond favorly to "sweet talk", (saying "I Love You" & such)\n\nShe just got potty trained (out of diapers) last year, but still has a bit of a problem with bowel movements.  She is nine years old.\n\nYou can add to your question so if this isn't what you were wanting, please clarify.\n\nSome people might send in links to an autism chat room.  I'd be interested in that, myself.
1139652
Asperger's Syndrome is a condition similar to autism, and the educational approaches work working with both are often similar. About the prognosis, I would say that it is often good, so don't despair! People with Asperger's Syndrome have won nobel prizes (Vernon Smith), become famous actors (Dan Ackroyd), or become successful computer programmers, scientists, etc.\n\nTo help your friend's child maximize his potential, I would recommend the following educational approaches. Since every child is different, these may or may not apply to your situation or work for you. I would encourage you to keep trying and find a system that works for you friend and their family. She may have already done so, but I would also recommend keeping in close contact with the child's teacher and school to make sure that he  is getting the support needed. Hope this helps! \n\n- Recognize your child's strengths and interests and use these as opportunities for education (for example, if your child is very interested in Star Wars, you can teach math problems about Star Wars, make cleaning up into a game about Jedi powers, etc.) You never know when an interest may turn into a possible career option for the future (I recently read a book written by a man with Asperger's who made his childhood interest in "The Wizard of Oz" into seveal job opportunities! ["Demystifying the Autistic Experience" by William Stillman"]) (Source #1)\n\n- People with autism/Asperger's are often visual learners and learn well with pictures, charts, step-by-step written instructions, etc. (Source #1)\n\n- Consider reading books by authors with Autism/Asperger's (while these are often geared towards adults, I think they offer valuable information) Authors to consider include Temple Grandin, Edgar R. Schneider, Jerry Newport, Stephen Shore, and William Stillman (Source #1)\n\n- I would also advise you to often require him to look at your or participate in some activity with you. Just anything so that he is engaged with you. If he does not respond, you could repeat your instruction, wait, then (if necessary) gently prompt him physically to give you a high-five by touching your hand to his or something like this. Then, when he does it, reinforce this behavior with lots of praise and perhaps a small portion of a favorite snack or something else he likes. It is importnat that he is engaged with a person or an activity (such as reading or a puzzle, etc) on a somewhat frequent basis. That being said, he also will most likely need some time where he is allowed to relax and "be engrossed in his own world." You may also want to develop a system where he can say one word or hand you a card with the word "break" written on it so that he can tell you when he is feeling overwhelmed and needs a break from the situation or activity. (Source #1)\n\n- To motivate him to use language, you could, for example if you know he wants juice, don't just give it to him becuase you know that's what he wants. Have him say, "juice," or if he is not ready for that yet, just the first sound of the word before you give him any juice. Gradually, very slowly, require him to say additional words such as, "want juice," then "want juice please," then "I want juice please, etc." before you give him the juice. Start with him requesting with one word for most of the things he wants, before starting to require sentences. (Source #1)\n\n- "Many children with autism are good at drawing, art and computer programming. These talent areas should be encouraged. I think there needs to be much more emphasis on developing the child's talents. Talents can be turned into skills that can be used for future employment." (Source #2)\n\n- "Teaching generalization is often a problem for children with autism. To teach a child to generalize the principle of not running across the street, it must be