Children with Autism vs Adults with Autism

[Gracey]

perhaps if autistic children are recognised young enough,
they can be helped learn some of the skills they're going to rely on in their adulthood?

In some cases the help offered in the younger years may ease some of the difficulties they may have otherwise struggled with as adults?

Resulting in most of the funding and a jolly big effort invested in the younger years?


If you've made it this far,
and are still relatively sane whilst keeping a roof over your head and food in your belly then my goodness,
You need to be 'bigging up' yourself.

Blowing one's own trumpet.

Struttin' like John Travolta.

Award yourself some kind of trophy for the intelligence a monstrous effort like that requires over a lifetime.

I'm not saying it's easy,
(that's where my admiration comes in )

Half of the time I do wonder if perhaps the local authorities are stretched for funding and so they have to prioritise?
Direct funding to where it will have the greatest impact?
(and they may not know what to do with middle aged/senior aspies?)

 

[HidinginPlainSight]

There is money in autistic children. Their parents buy books, lobby to fund the next "cure" and provide a sympathetic object to both of these.

Autistic adults represent public funding for something all together less sympathetic.

This isn't a hard one to figure out.

 

[SDRSpark]

Reminds me of the lyrics from an old Jim Croce song, "You say you love the baby, but you crucify the man." A commentary on the fact that as soon as something isn't cute, or doesn't work for them, they drop it. "Oh how cute he is!" they say about my low-functioning autistic son. But I know as soon as he's grown they'll try to blame him for everything he can't help. They'll take the kid gloves off and bring out the nine-inch nails. I'll be there for him then.

So many people live their entire existence trying to LOOK good, while avoiding any and every possibility to actually BE good. And that's a fact. "Crusaders" who will look for any ol' BS to make a deal about, though they don't care it about it at all, and wouldn't put any effort into it if it really mattered.

There, I said it.

Nailed it.

 

[megacomic]

Because we are cute as kids but once we start growing facial hair our odd behaviors are creepy and weird and we should just be hidden away and invisible because we make people uncomfortable. At least that's how I interpret societies treatment of us.

 

[Giraffes]

Interesting topic, i have worked with children with Autism in education and in social care and have seen support for the triad of impairement have positive effect,however as a late diagnosed adult having declaired my own Autism whist working within those fields i have meet with ignorance, predudice and harsh treatment including a training course run by the 'National Autistic Society' i asked the trainer to limit their facial expressions and boby lauguage' and they did this for 5 minutes before returning to previous presentation causing my anxiety to increase!!!!!!!

 

[Jamison]

This for me has always been my big pet peeve with how society handles autism, and it's really gotta change, and I really do believe that it will change. The thing about society is that its views and norms constantly change over time. What really matters is that we all do our part to help make that change. We can do that in so many ways which includes being open about autism to those we know, supporting groups and organizations with the same views and goals, and letting our voice be heard about the matter.

But yeah, the fact that autistic adults end up being ignored is pretty irritating. I've been trying to do some research about my own ASD and all I get is stuff for parents with autistic children. It's really frustrating. I think that's what mostly drove me to this community because I can find answers from people with the same experiences as me.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

It's Rudy Huxtable syndrome.

We grow older, aren't as cute, and are replaced by a new face.

 

[dbalzate]

I think it's more a PR stunt than actual care for autistic children. We, as adults, are facing real discrimination and we need to mask as much as possible to be viewed as persons. Sadly all is a PR stunt to be viewed as "caring organizations" and they aren't caring at all about autistic people.

Sorry for my bad English

 

[Giraffes]

I think it's more a PR stunt than actual care for autistic children. We, as adults, are facing real discrimination and we need to mask as much as possible to be viewed as persons. Sadly all is a PR stunt to be viewed as "caring organizations" and they aren't caring at all about autistic people.

Sorry for my bad English

Debalzate I agree I had ‘Prospects’ the employment section of the ‘National Autistic Society’ ‘help’ me find a job, or they said that to boost their success ratio intact I found the job and their support made no difference to keeping the job
Also I’ve had experience of staff ‘grilling’ me about how Autism affect my life, but refusing to reply when I asked how much they earned as I’ve found myself underemployed my whole life, but they’re the experts hilarious

 

[Rasputin]

This for me has always been my big pet peeve with how society handles autism, and it's really gotta change, and I really do believe that it will change. The thing about society is that its views and norms constantly change over time. What really matters is that we all do our part to help make that change. We can do that in so many ways which includes being open about autism to those we know, supporting groups and organizations with the same views and goals, and letting our voice be heard about the matter.

But yeah, the fact that autistic adults end up being ignored is pretty irritating. I've been trying to do some research about my own ASD and all I get is stuff for parents with autistic children. It's really frustrating. I think that's what mostly drove me to this community because I can find answers from people with the same experiences as me.

I posted about this separately in a new thread, but this is a useful guide intended to mentor younger people is navigating ASD issues.

"Been There. Done That. Try This!: An Aspie's Guide to Life on Earth"https://www.amazon.com/dp/1849059640/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_tC0wEbZNR2AD5

Now that I am coming to terms with my diagnosis, I am thinking about becoming acting in an adult ASD group as a potential mentor.

 

[Rasputin]

I think it's more a PR stunt than actual care for autistic children. We, as adults, are facing real discrimination and we need to mask as much as possible to be viewed as persons. Sadly all is a PR stunt to be viewed as "caring organizations" and they aren't caring at all about autistic people.

Sorry for my bad English

I agree, and I was very good at masking until very recently. And most people, even neurotypicals, would consider me successful. People with ASD can enjoy full, productive lives.

 

[Rasputin]

Debalzate I agree I had ‘Prospects’ the employment section of the ‘National Autistic Society’ ‘help’ me find a job, or they said that to boost their success ratio intact I found the job and their support made no difference to keeping the job
Also I’ve had experience of staff ‘grilling’ me about how Autism affect my life, but refusing to reply when I asked how much they earned as I’ve found myself underemployed my whole life, but they’re the experts hilarious

I am not convinced that the support given to children with autism helps them later in life. In fact, I wonder if this support doesn't weaken their resolve. I was 61 when I was diagnosed, and I did not receive any accommodations growing up or even during my career. More importantly, I had no one telling me I had limitations.

Suddenly one month after being diagnosed I have experienced the prejudice. It's as if I am not the same person I was a month ago. I agree this has to change.

 

[Rasputin]

I agree there needs to be more adult autism awareness. I can't be open about being autistic, because I'd lose my job and people would also treat me differently. If you can and are brave enough, being open about autism is a good step in the right direction, but first I'd let people get to know me first. I think that way they will have an easier time accepting autism and maybe shed a good light on the condition.

I feel very fortunate in having not been diagnosed until I was 61. Had I received support and accommodations growing up for ASD, I might not have had a full normal life.

I am considering being open in volunteering as a mentor to young adults. They need to hear the truth, and they need practical advice to help them succeed.

 

[Fade2black]

I am not convinced that the support given to children with autism helps them later in life. In fact, I wonder if this support doesn't weaken their resolve.

I agree, multiple studies have shown when people are repeatedly told they are oppressed, they begin to believe they are oppressed and they create limitations that only exist in their own mind. I was officially diagnosed in my 50's. Although I always knew I was different while never knowing "why," I worked harder to overcome my shortcomings to fit in and move forward.

Had I been told I'm Autistic early in my life, there is no doubt, I would have had a defeatist attitude and I would have never gone as far as I have. I'm 100% sure of this.

 

[Rasputin]

I agree, multiple studies have shown when people are repeatedly told they are oppressed, they begin to believe they are oppressed and they create limitations that only exist in their own mind. I was officially diagnosed in my 50's. Although I always knew I was different while never knowing "why," I worked harder to overcome my shortcomings to fit in and move forward.

Had I been told I'm Autistic early in my life, there is no doubt, I would have had a defeatist attitude and I would have never gone as far as I have. I'm 100% sure of this.

I think some of the older people with ASD would be good candidates to mentor younger adults with ASD. I am kicking this idea around, but I am not sure what opportunities exist in my area.

 

[Joshua the Writer]

I agree. I am 17 currently, so I am at the verge of becoming an adult. There are few good resources for Autistic children, and even less for Autistic adults.

I blame the incorrect perception that most Autistic people are children on Autism $peak$. They advertise mostly towards vulnerable, desperate parents who have Autistic children to get money from their evil conman schemes.

 

[Eren]

I understand what you mean, although it is positive because it is already a great step.

Perhaps many people believe that once you are an adult "you can change", as you say, most people who do not have autism or do not know someone very close with autism, do not have any knowledge on the subject.

Although the truth, as a child I had no understanding, no help, not even a diagnosis of autism, now in adulthood (25) I still struggle with this, I have to look for the diagnosis on my own. Also, my "quirks" are still evident to others no matter how adult I am.