Why isnt there anything out there for adults with AS?

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I agree it is unsatisfactory that there is nothing for adults with AS. The question is: "What do we need?".

It's not easy to answer for those who have struggled through 30, 40 or more years with no idea that we actually needed anything at all. Other than to "make more effort to fit in", which is what I've regularly been told.

I would start by suggesting AS specialised counselling support. The key being "AS specialised", as counselling support is common but generally clueless when it comes to AS. I've now had many years with several different psychotherepeutic practitioners and I suspect that the model of the human being that they use is so NT biased, it is ultimately detrimental to those with AS. Personally, I don't need to spend years delving into my childhood, what I really need is to talk to someone WHO UNDERSTANDS, about what is happening right now. And not to be told "you just need to get out more and join some evening classes".

What help do adults with As need. Are you kidding ? I can't organize my house and it's a chaotic mess. I didn't learn how to cook anything but Ramon noodles and toast until I was in my mid twenties(nt that it mattered, since that I was about all I could afford to eat . I have had jobs but only because I am willing to do hard manual labor, clean up dog poo, change adult diapers or work over night shifts, neither requiring much socialization . I have a BA in psychology and though I may have some cognitive issues I know I'm not stupid but I don't know how to do "grown up things" . That might be a good start . I realize there are different levels of functioning, even with-in Aspergers and maybe my co-morbids...driving and social anxiety, executive dysfunction, auditory processing,etc are more problem then other As traits but the fact is that many people with As have these additional co-morbids and there is still no help .

Case in Point....My boyfriend has MS but is "higher functioning" then I am and he has services offered to him of a social worker coming in to help him get organized and keep up with paper work...My issues are also neurological but there is nothing for me ? I know with a minimal amount of help that I could accomplish more and would in effect have more to "give back" to society and I am pissed that I am being written off as a "lost cause" because some "expert" thinks I have missed my window of opportunity . Even current research supports that "older" brains are much more pliant and resilient to learning then previously believe. I am a dog that can be taught new tricks but one of them is not going to be "roll-over and play dead" .

Bundling the help with one person would be a start.

Different options could be:
- organizing your house
- job interviews
- how to clean efficiently
- cleaning help
- help with social situations
- someone to help find new clothing

Because we fade away in a neat, colorful gradient after age 18!! !

Haven't you heard?!

Just kidding. Honestly, I think there needs to be a hell of a lot more. But Autistic adults just aren't close enough to 'cute charity cases' unless we're slow and physically attractive.
And even then there seems to be a lot less then there should.

[quote="krex"]What help do adults with As need. Are you kidding ? I can't organize my house and it's a chaotic mess. I didn't learn how to cook anything but Ramon noodles and toast until I was in my mid twenties(nt that it mattered, since that I was about all I could afford to eat . I have had jobs but only because I am willing to do hard manual labor, clean up dog poo, change adult diapers or work over night shifts, neither requiring much socialization . I have a BA in psychology and though I may have some cognitive issues I know I'm not stupid but I don't know how to do "grown up things" . That might be a good start . I realize there are different levels of functioning, even with-in Aspergers and maybe my co-morbids...driving and social anxiety, executive dysfunction, auditory processing,etc are more problem then other As traits but the fact is that many people with As have these additional co-morbids and there is still no help .

Case in Point....My boyfriend has MS but is "higher functioning" then I am and he has services offered to him of a social worker coming in to help him get organized and keep up with paper work...My issues are also neurological but there is nothing for me ? I know with a minimal amount of help that I could accomplish more and would in effect have more to "give back" to society and I am pissed that I am being written off as a "lost cause" because some "expert" thinks I have missed my window of opportunity . Even current research supports that "older" brains are much more pliant and resilient to learning then previously believe. I am a dog that can be taught new tricks but one of them is not going to be "roll-over and play dead" .[/quote]

Minor encouragement or assistance in daily living skills would be helpful, keep daydreaming someone coming to the house and saying, right then, lets get you on track! This kindness alone would contribute to self-motivation. To believe that although you have missed early intervention, you are not ruined, broken, or a waste of resources.

well, I hopefully will get some response from autism speaks. Perhaps I will post there response here . I'll have too see, I may or may not.

These lists of things you want help with are all things that our parents should have taught us. I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying the social workers and other professionals would shake their head if presented with a list like that. So basically people are asking to be parented past the age of 18 and society is not going to do that. Again society sees it as a job our parents should have done and our parents should have except for a lot of them were Aspies too! Mine both are!

Also Aspergers is not seen as a neurological condition (though it rightly is) so that is why you don't get help but a MS person does. Aspergers is currently seen as a mental disorder and not even a developmental disorder so that is why there is no help. Before you get jealous of the kids honestly there is very little being done for the kids either. The AS kids of today will end up much like us AS adults are now. Seriously it can't be cured and there is little anyone can do for us other than if your family decides to take care of you for life. The best thing we can do is use our higher intelligence to figure our own ways to survive in the world peacefully and morally which is what the older Aspies have been doing all along for centuries.

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. My mother worked hard with me as I was growing up. She wanted me to live an independent life when I am an adult and be able to be on my own and be able to support myself, not end up in a group home or in a institution. I even asked for help when I had to fill out applications for jobs and mom helped me on interviews by rehearsing it with me. She would even have me write down my answers to questions the boss might ask.

It's not such a bad idea that was mentioned on the last page.

No point complaining that there is nothing out there already organised to support and help you.

If people need help and there is nothing these, then get it organised. Set something up where people can help each other out. I'm sure most people here need help with something and a significant number of people would be able to offer help too.