any one out there?

[Butch01]

I'm new to this site, so I'm just saying 'hi'. Let me tell you a little about my self: My name is Butch, I am a 28 yr old male and I have autism (or autism spectrum disorder or what-the-frick-ever). I'm a fairly "normal" person, in that I live on my own, I go to school everyday and pretty much get along ok with the hardships of day to day life. I do this with the love and support of my family (whome arnt very far away from me). I've found that the way to live with autism is to embrace it. I structure my entire life around it. In some cases, I define myself by it. This may seem a little extreme, but after high school, I tried to live a "normal" life, I tried to forget about my condition, even going so far as to move 1000 milesaway from my family, and the results were quite disasterous. I was just wondering if there were any other autistic adults on here, if so, how do you cope? I'de like to know. Also, I'de be willing to give advise to any parents, siblings or caregivers who need help.

thanks for listening,

-Butch

[Julie]

Hi Butch, I'm 30, autistic, working, married and just bought out first house.

I too had a crash after years of trying to "pretend to be normal". I was very ill in 1999, just before I turned 24 and just about died. In February of 2003, I found myself sitting in my car on a hill at midnight. I had a knife in one hand a note that said "I cannot pretend anymore" in the other. Yeah, I had a good cry and morosely went home without ending my life, which is good because things did get better in time.

How do I cope? I know my limits. I put on the normal facade at work and then just go silent when I go home. I have involved myself with supposrtive people and my house is set up to be very relaxing (huge soaker tub, no white or bright walls, etc.). My home is my haven,. so when I get there, I relax. I also have my own office at home, so I can retreat, listen to music, write or just yak on the phone with a friend.

I work in an industry where it's ok to be a little weird and I still make good money (IT).

However, my true love is psychology and I want to eventually get a loan or sgrant to attend correspondence university (we have a good and credible correspondence college here). I believe that getting such a degree and eventually opening my own practice helping adults on the autistic spectrum (let's face it...there's nothing out there for us adults!) live lives that are meaningful for them, I think I might also better help myself too. (One learns best when helping others).

However, I do not let autism take over my life, it is a part of me, it is who I am, but it will not stop me from doing what I want or being successful in my own right. Being told that I was defective as a child just spurned me to "prove them wrong"...and I have. I drive, I work, I got into a high paying job without going to college because I learn fast and am extremely adaptable. (I'm a weirdo who actually likes change...it helps me immensely)

Just some ideas and thoughts.

Julie