| On the television the other morning someone | | | | accept anything offered, or send their children miles |
| described autism as a "living nightmare". I'm not sure I'd | | | | away to some form of residential unit simply because |
| personally go that far yet but it certainly is a major | | | | there is nothing appropriate closer to home. |
| concern - at least for the parents. | | | | The National Autistic Society now suggests 1 in 100 |
| My son is autistic and is eighteen. Until now he has | | | | children suffer from some form of autistic spectrum |
| been very lucky. He has been able to access support | | | | disorder. In 1993 when my son was diagnosed it was 1 |
| via children's services, but I realize many people aren't | | | | in 2500. |
| as fortunate. I've heard numerous tales of parents | | | | The problem is that all these autistic children will grow |
| who've had to really fight for what little help they've | | | | up to be autistic adults, and the big question is what will |
| had and many get none at all. | | | | they do? |
| I do, but that will soon change. Although my son can | | | | Apparently only 15% of adults with autism manage to |
| already legally drive, drink and vote, he is considered a | | | | hold down employment and 49% never leave home. |
| child until he is nineteen and can remain at his special | | | | That means in many cases elderly parents are |
| needs school and go to respite once a month until | | | | effectively looking after their age 40 plus children and |
| then. However, as soon as he hits that age he | | | | it's a worry. What happens if they get ill? Who then will |
| becomes an adult. | | | | look after their children and how will they adapt? |
| Whilst his needs will still be the same, the help to which | | | | It's a frightening scenario and one that many parents |
| he will be entitled will be reduced - considerably. | | | | currently face. Since autism is a problem that isn't going |
| Suddenly everything, which has become so familiar to | | | | away there needs to be more co-ordinated planning |
| him over the years, will stop. | | | | and services put in place before it is too late. |
| I wish for his sake and mine time would stand still. | | | | Families need help to enable their adults with autism to |
| We are currently in the "transition" period where we | | | | be more independent otherwise the cost to the |
| are exploring the options available to him. They are | | | | community will be immense. If there is no-where for |
| limited to say the least but we are fortunate in as | | | | the people with autism to work then their carers can't |
| much as he is not physically disabled which must make | | | | work either. |
| things far more difficult. | | | | I once heard someone exclaim the world would be |
| However, nothing we have seen so far even comes | | | | destroyed by the three A's - anger, avarice and |
| close to what we aspire. The local options aren't really | | | | autism. Maybe that's true. |
| suitable and aren't conducive to his continued | | | | We are already seeing wars and violence created by |
| improvement. It's depressing and I often wish I could go | | | | anger and greed. Now think about all the autistic |
| to sleep and wake up to find the whole autism thing | | | | children you know. They are the adults of the future. |
| was just a bad dream. | | | | Frightening isn't it? |
| Having said that I realise I am actually one of the lucky | | | | Now you know one reason I wish time would stand |
| ones for my son has got options. Other autistic children | | | | still. |
| adults don't. It's no wonder parents despair and either | | | | |