Reading this article reminded me that there are really some great things about having a child with autism.
10 Terrifice Traits of People with Autism
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
What To Do? Moving on Past Graduation
My son, Jeff has been saying he wants to be a science teacher and when you ask him more about it he will say quite clearly, "I want to be a substitute". I tell people all the time, he is autistic, not stupid! Problem is that unless there is a huge miracle somewhere, this cannot happen. His behaviors are such that he can't even sit in class long enough for himself much less to teach others. And what if he blows up at someone, I am sure the school district would not keep him around long as a teacher if he bit one of his students!
Yesterday, he broke my heart. We were talking about how this was his last year in school and going to the Arc of San Antonio next year. He got a look of horror on his face and said, "NO.. I want to go to a science school". How do you explain to a young person that he can't have his dream? How can I make his dream come true? I tried to explain that I could not find a science school and he was having no part of that... he just looked at me and begged me, "Please Mom, I want to go to a science school".
For the first time in a very very long time I cried about my son having autism. I accepted his diagnosis years ago and rarely even have a tear, even when his sister graduated from high school and he did not nor while his sister plans her wedding, and he will probably never get married. You come to those times that other children and young adults his age are moving on with their lives, making careers and relationships and I just have to say that Jeff's path is different, unique.
But this time I cried because he WANTS to be like his peers, he wants to do something after school besides going to a glorified babysitter all day, every day. He wants a useful job and more education but I can't give it to him. You want to give your children the world, but I can't give Jeff this one small thing, a life that he desires.
I am sad and frustrated, but I am not giving up. I think I will go to the junior college nearby and see if he can audit a science lab if I am right there with him. My husband is a science teacher and he is going to ask if Jeff can come to school with him from time to time. Those are some options, but there has to be more.. if someone wants to learn and wants to be active in our world.. shouldn't we find a place for him? Just wondering...
Yesterday, he broke my heart. We were talking about how this was his last year in school and going to the Arc of San Antonio next year. He got a look of horror on his face and said, "NO.. I want to go to a science school". How do you explain to a young person that he can't have his dream? How can I make his dream come true? I tried to explain that I could not find a science school and he was having no part of that... he just looked at me and begged me, "Please Mom, I want to go to a science school".
For the first time in a very very long time I cried about my son having autism. I accepted his diagnosis years ago and rarely even have a tear, even when his sister graduated from high school and he did not nor while his sister plans her wedding, and he will probably never get married. You come to those times that other children and young adults his age are moving on with their lives, making careers and relationships and I just have to say that Jeff's path is different, unique.
But this time I cried because he WANTS to be like his peers, he wants to do something after school besides going to a glorified babysitter all day, every day. He wants a useful job and more education but I can't give it to him. You want to give your children the world, but I can't give Jeff this one small thing, a life that he desires.
I am sad and frustrated, but I am not giving up. I think I will go to the junior college nearby and see if he can audit a science lab if I am right there with him. My husband is a science teacher and he is going to ask if Jeff can come to school with him from time to time. Those are some options, but there has to be more.. if someone wants to learn and wants to be active in our world.. shouldn't we find a place for him? Just wondering...
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