Autism What about the future?

Autism 

What About the Future? 

Will he be able to live alone?  Will he have a job, would any business hire him?  Will he be able form and keep a relationship, will he be lonely?  What if something happens to me?

My son is cute, verbal, funny and fortunately on the high functioning side of the Autism Spectrum.  Every year brings new accomplishments as well as new worries.  At 12 years old, he is more aware of himself and that he is “different”.  He prefers to live in his “own world” and shows no desire for basic friendships.  However, he will tolerate and communicate with those who show an interest in whatever game or topic he is currently into.  Ok, honestly, who is going to want to hire, marry or tolerate a person like this?  He looks normal, without knowing him, he looks like the kid next door.  Sometimes I feel like, if he was severely autistic, at least people would “get him”.  That’s a horrible thought I know.  I do count my blessings everyday that my son can speak to me.  Every now and then I can con a  his version of a hug out of him.  My little guy has taught me important life lessons, patience being number one. Trivial problems are not really problems, just little stones you can kick out of the way. 

High functioning autistic children and adults seem to be stuck in an abyss of sorts.  No one seems to really know what to do with them as far as educating and nurturing them, especially after elementary school. Some of his quirks apparently just aren’t “cute” anymore.  I have probably read about it or tried it as far as therapies go.  A cure?  I’m just not looking for it anymore.  I just want him to be happy, healthy and a good person.  I like him the way he is.  He is unique and awesome.  Yes, I am sad some people won’t see him the way I do, but more and more do.

Since the autism rate seems to be rising every year, I’m going to at least hope people on the spectrum will be able to have their own communities and will have employment tailored to their abilities and I’m not talking about stocking grocery shelves.  I’m talking about tedious scientific work, that would make the “average Joe” nuts, but to a person on the spectrum, it would be satisfying.  Maybe the cause is genetic, perhaps environmental , I  have my own theories of evolution.  Perhaps Star Trek wasn’t far off.  Tyler is kind of like Spock.  Seems like he is unfeeling, but still there is so much in there that we don’t know about and it comes out little by little, we just have to wait patiently for when he’s ready to show or tell us. And when he does, I swear to you, it’s like a miracle has happened and the future seems quite a bit brighter.

Stephanie Adair

June 9, 2013