Sunday, August 17, 2008
atlantic county asperger young adult support group
I've been searching for a support group for some time for young adults with aspergers in the South Jersey area. The local chapter of ASPEN is no longer listed. I'm guessing that maybe the Atlantic County chapter fell apart. I would love to be able to get a support group started for this age group. Central and North Jersey have local chapters. My son would probably have a fit if he knew I was doing this. I really would like him to be able to make friends with other people who have the same issues as him and won't be judgemental. I hope to hear from interested parties in the Atlantic County area soon!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Asperger Young Adult Support
Well, this is my first time posting. I really don't know anything about blogging, but I'm hoping to reach others who may be in the same position as I am. I live in the South Jersey area and have 4 children, one of which was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome when he was around 8 or 9 years old. He's now 18, just graduated from high school, and we are currently seeking help from Development Vocational Rehabilitation to help him find and keep a job.
Tony is a great kid, very smart (book smart) - but has a huge deficit when it comes to socialization. When he was younger he went to an outside counselor once a week, went to a social skills group each week, and was involved in a friendship group at school. While meeting others like him lasted for a few years, like a lot of things these supports aren't really available when you become a young adult. Tony is in the house 24/7 on the computer, reading, watching TV or playing video games. He rarely complains about being lonely or having no friends, but it really is upsetting to me. Unfortunately, he has a very hard time holding a conversation back and forth which makes it near impossible to make and keep friends. He blames everything on being super shy. He finally got his first real job in the beginning of the summer thanks to a great friend of mine. Unfortunately it only lasted two weeks. We think it was a little harder than he was able to handle. Heavy stock work outside in 95 degree weather. I think I'm more depressed about this than he is. Anyway, without rambling on about his whole life story, I'm hoping that there are other mothers with young adults who have Aspergers, having the same issues. I know there are support groups in NJ, but they are up North or in Central Jersey. I would love to be able to connect with people, in the S Jersey area, to form a social group for teens & young teens with Aspergers. And, even if you're not from S. Jersey I'd still like to know I'm not alone here - because it sure feels like it most of the time.
Tony is a great kid, very smart (book smart) - but has a huge deficit when it comes to socialization. When he was younger he went to an outside counselor once a week, went to a social skills group each week, and was involved in a friendship group at school. While meeting others like him lasted for a few years, like a lot of things these supports aren't really available when you become a young adult. Tony is in the house 24/7 on the computer, reading, watching TV or playing video games. He rarely complains about being lonely or having no friends, but it really is upsetting to me. Unfortunately, he has a very hard time holding a conversation back and forth which makes it near impossible to make and keep friends. He blames everything on being super shy. He finally got his first real job in the beginning of the summer thanks to a great friend of mine. Unfortunately it only lasted two weeks. We think it was a little harder than he was able to handle. Heavy stock work outside in 95 degree weather. I think I'm more depressed about this than he is. Anyway, without rambling on about his whole life story, I'm hoping that there are other mothers with young adults who have Aspergers, having the same issues. I know there are support groups in NJ, but they are up North or in Central Jersey. I would love to be able to connect with people, in the S Jersey area, to form a social group for teens & young teens with Aspergers. And, even if you're not from S. Jersey I'd still like to know I'm not alone here - because it sure feels like it most of the time.
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