Adolescence And Autism: A Difficult, But Not Hopeless Combination

[tgrimes]

Here's an article about increased problems during adolescence I know this topic came up a lot over the last few months

*** link deleted - study could be misleading as the participants have no lang or cognitive delays.



Will post something more positive on this topic.

[peglem]

Made me feel hopeless!

[Pamster]

I didn't really see anything hopeful in the article, with puberty rapidly approaching Jackie I just feel powerless to help him because of how things are. Who knows? Maybe we'll get through it okay. I am praying that's the case. :)

[peglem]

But wouldn't you feel hopeful if your child had no language delays and no cognative impairment so they could partake of this program?

[tgrimes]

I am sorry, i just looked at the beginning of this news article, and posted it because it seemed relevant to complaints of late. But you're right... what a bummer.
I will FIX THIS girls!

[peglem]

Didn't really bum me out- I've got more important things to be bummed about. How're you gonna fix this?

I just thought it was kinda funny really, because my 1st thought was how much more hopeful I'd already be if my child had no language delays and no cog. impairment....

I know. if your kid is having problems with social relatedness you see it as a serious problem and yippee that someone's helping those kids. But, how bad could the social relatedness be if it hasn't hindered language?

[mc4_a]

This is why I think mainstreaming is a bunch of **** at this age (with really apparent issues). Let's face it, it is also when children are the cruelest.

[tgrimes]

Okay, now here's an article about something truly admirable:


Article published Friday, November 16, 2007
Defiance program will benefit educators, autistic adolescents

By MEGHAN GILBERT
BLADE STAFF WRITER


Eric and Debra Hench have spent most of the last two decades helping their son live the fullest life possible.

Jon was diagnosed with autism when he was 6 years old and resources in northwest Ohio were scarce. Just finding a dentist patient enough to clean his teeth was a chore, Mrs. Hench said.

The teenage years were the most difficult as Jon, now 19, physically turned into a man, but continued to be impulsive with no regard for consequences and lacked control of his emotions, Mrs. Hench said.

"His 8-year-old autistic mind was controlling both his teenage body and our lives," she said.

A unique program was announced yesterday that would help families through that difficult transition.

The Hench Autism Studies Program at Defiance College aims to help educate families and those who work with autistic individuals, as well as give students service learning opportunities.

The program includes an on-campus classroom for late adolescents with autism, a resource center for families, training for Defiance College students to be peer mentors to autistic adolescents, focused instruction and additional training for social workers, and a new graduate program in education with an emphasis on autism.

Mr. and Mrs. Hench gave the lead gift for what is so far a $1.15 million venture and is believed to be the first of its kind to focus resources for autistic persons ages 15 to 22.

Mr. Hench is the chairman of the Chief and Ray's supermarket chains, with 13 stores in northwest and cen-tral Ohio.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 child in 150 is diagnosed with some form of autism. As awareness about the developmental disability increases, many of the resources are funneled into research and early recognition.

"As important as that research is, for those that are afflicted, life as it is must go on," Defiance College President Gerald Wood said.

"The quality of that life is determined by opportunities for those with autism to grow, to mature, and to be educated with knowledge and skills that will help them meet their unique challenges and maximize their capabilities."

The classroom on the Defiance College campus was designed with special lighting, sound reduction, and other technologies. Two students with autism are being taught there by teachers from the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center.

And they interact with college students, such as freshman Stan Strausbaugh, in the mentoring program.

"We learned that individuals with autism tend to look at the world differently than you and I do, that routine is very important, and that they tend to be very literal in how the communicate," Mr. Strausbaugh said.

The autistic students also run a coffee shop on campus a few days a week, further increasing their social interaction.

John Wilhelm, superintendent of the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, said he's excited about both the short-term goal of helping autistic students through the new classroom and the long-term goal of better preparing future educators.

"All children can learn, and some will need creative and well-informed teachers, schools, and families to make it happen more than others," he said. "That is what makes this partnership exciting and hopeful."

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071116/NEWS21/711160345
(toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071116/NEWS21/711160345)

[tgrimes]

This is why I think mainstreaming is a bunch of **** at this age (with really apparent issues). Let's face it, it is also when children are the cruelest.

I'll never understand this, this is why so many parents have to fight to get their kids in regular classes. I homeschool BECAUSE my child is not allowed in the regular classes. I really really want him in school, but if he can't go to the same school as his brother and there is going to be forced segregation, i will be the one in charge of it.

[peglem]

That was better! But, you should have seen me trying to read it - running that horizontal bar back and forth, losing my place- it was nuts. I almost gave up- then got the ingenious idea to click on the link!