Hi, I'm . . .

[tpigford]

Hi, I'm Terri and have a young adult autistic son. He is nonverbal and requires help with almost everything. He attends a Day program 4 days a week. I am looking forward to chatting with everyone and sharing ideas and experiences.

[AutMom]

Hello,
My adult son has a program 5 days a week. The service provider picks him up in the morning. There are activities they do during the day, such as; work out, swimming, working, etc. Does your son go to a place for his program?

[Mom of Twins]

My sons are 15 and I home school them. There is really nothing too exciting where we live so I have taken matters into my own hands. Any suggestions from Teri and Autmom would be most helpful as you two seem to have been where we are heading. Thanks,

[Stephanie]

Hello to everyone!! My name is Stephanie...I am the mother of a beautiful, non-verbal, nine year old Autistic child named Ryan. Ryan is currently being taught in our home through the use of ABA. We are having great success with this program!! Ryan was severly abused at the hands of his teacher at the school he attended before we started homeschooling him. We are in the middle of a legal battle with the school. Things are difficult, but seeing Ryan overcoming the odds and coming out of his "shell" are what makes this battle worth every minute of it!! I am excited about chatting with all of you!! Take care!!
Stephanie

[tpigford]

Stephanie, so glad to hear from you. I'd like an update on your abuse case with Ryan. Jacob's was filed with the Supreme Court in February. We have been told it may be a year before they rule. It's good to hear homeschooling is going well for you and for Ryan. It certainly has many benefits. I would encourage you to do as much as possible with him, one of my regrets is sheltering Jacob from the public - such as going to restaurants, stores, etc. When he was little the easier thing was to stay home but that didn't help prepare him for adulthood. Keep in touch.

[tpigford]

As I said to Stephanie, expose them to as much as possible. Do you know yet whether you will be moving? How do they adjust to change? What type of communication do you and they use? Let me know if you have specific questions.

[Simeon]

Hi Terri,

I am 23 years old and high functioning autistic with savant skills such as perfect pitch and an excellent sense of rhythm. I have been to a special school from when I was diagnosed with autistic tendencies at the age of 5.

I also went to college and got qualifications mainly with computers but later on I got a BTEC diploma in Music Technology with several distinctions

Now I am doing voluntary work as a computer technician for a local asperger/autism association.