Help- Facilities in the US that help adults with Asperger's

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Weather
Raven
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05 Jun 2007, 9:40 pm

Hi all,

I am trying to find any well known, reputable and reliable facilities and/or schools that deal with ADULTS that have Asperger's and Asperger's only. There is nothing here in Grand Rapids, there are no vocational or educational programs here for adults. They are starting to work with kids but like many of Aspie adults I am left out in the cold.

I need to know if there are any national centers that knows how to work on employment training and education or that can provide me with services for this particular disorder.

I am currently on disability and I am wanting to get off of it. But there is no support for me or any services. No one here knows what to do.

I would appreciate any help from forum members.

Thanks,

Weather



the-over-analyzed
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05 Jun 2007, 10:15 pm

Sorry I don't know of any places like that. I'm in Ohio and I find that most of the groups are geared towards parents of kids with AS, and not adults.

I think you show a good attitude but are you sure that you want to get off disability? I need to get on it.

I would be happy to give you tips for how you can start working if you would give me some tips for how to stop working and collect disability. I'm serious.



willem
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05 Jun 2007, 10:33 pm

Did you contact Michigan Rehabilitation Services?


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05 Jun 2007, 10:38 pm

Have you already put in an app for SSI and SSDI?

You want to try and get both because with SSDI you get Medicare and with SSI you get Medicaid. It's automatic. At least here in Michigan it is but it's probably the same all over the US.

You are going to need to give them copies of any evaluations that show that you cannot work. For example, any psychiatric and psychological evals. Anything that would be substantial proof that there is absolutely no way to work.

Usually you will be denied the first time, if this does happen you put in the application for a hearing. Then get a hold of a lawyer if you haven't already.

I would say it would be best to get a lawyer now if you haven't applied for disability yet. Try and see if you can get one that works pro bono.

That's all I can tell you for now, let me know how it goes.

Truthfully I really don't want to go back to work that much, I just want to be able to get a little bit of extra money but have that lee way where if it gets to be too much then I can quit without having to worry about my income.

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05 Jun 2007, 10:41 pm

willem wrote:
Did you contact Michigan Rehabilitation Services?


Last time I went they were so bent on putting me in menial work.

If I want to work, I want a fricking career not just a job flipping burgers or smiling needlessly to ornery customers.

There is Disability Advocates but again, there is nothing as far as job training and support on the job goes for adults with Asperger's. God, it's frustrating!!

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Murdal
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05 Jun 2007, 11:20 pm

I do wish you luck in your search. Most places are out to 'cure' the 'problem'. It is very unfortunate that there are few adult support networks in all 50 states of the United States. Most of the time, what you are looking for is only given through a public school system.



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05 Jun 2007, 11:54 pm

The same thing with the deaf.. There weren't alot of resources back then and my grandfather fought vigorously for awareness and such. In fact it was he and Gerald Ford who pretty much started the ADA. My mom has all of the paperwork at her mom's house.

There needs to be more awareness of adults with Asperger's and there needs to be more resources and services available.

I don't know why it is people like us that have to suffer the most :( :( :(

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sinsboldly
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06 Jun 2007, 12:06 am

Weather wrote:
willem wrote:
Did you contact Michigan Rehabilitation Services?


Last time I went they were so bent on putting me in menial work.

If I want to work, I want a fricking career not just a job flipping burgers or smiling needlessly to ornery customers.

There is Disability Advocates but again, there is nothing as far as job training and support on the job goes for adults with Asperger's. God, it's frustrating!!

Weather



I didn't find anything either. I had to take out loans and go to school, to college. I got a degree in Sociology and have never used it, but I have had my resume placed on the OK pile rather than tossed into the round file because of it.
Once I went to college I followed a career as a computer technician because that was where the money was, after that declined I have educated myself again into elder health insurance and medicare and have a job as a claims investigator - again, because that is where the money is.

I found vocational rehabilitation had no idea how to deal with AS because the moment you mention Autism as referring to an Adult, you get a response of mental retardation. God bless my mentally ret*d brothers and sisters, but that is not my challenge. I learned to shape shift until I could mimic NTs and try to keep my meltdowns private. I don't look to outside sources because I don't think I can communicate to people just how different it looks from inside here.

good luck to you, remember you are your own best advocate.

Merle


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