Put DS w/PDD in a home???

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2003
Put DS w/PDD in a home???
7
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 11:59am

Hi,


I have a 12 yr old DS with PDD-nos.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 12:38pm

Hi Kristine,


First of all, YOU know your child better than any therapist out there period.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 12:41pm

Kristine,


Welsome to the board and (((((hugs))))) You must be reeling after hearing that "news".


You know, if I listened to all the "predictions" that were made about my own DS, *I* would be in a home (for the bewildered).

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 1:20pm

I will reiterate what everyone else said.

                                

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2004
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 1:56pm

Dear Kristine,


The therapist has only been with your son a couple of months, not counting the preschool contacts. She/He does not know your son as well as you do.


Sometimes, I think that the professionals working with our children

APOV on Autism
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2003
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 4:46pm

Hi everyone,


Thank you sooo much for your thoughts and advice!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 11:22pm

First of all slap the therapist just a bit. There are more options that just a group home. GEEZ. We are not living in the 50's or 60's.

However, that said, 12 is NOT too early to start planning his adulthood. It is likely he is going to at least need some supports. Now is the time to start researching those supports and what is available, what you think he would need and benefit from most, etc.

This is also a good time to start considering what his strengths are and how to use those in a job or career that will suit him and he will enjoy. Then start researching what job training and support services are available for him. Job training is a HUGE thing for these kids honestly. THey have to learn how to hold down a job.

If there is any volunteering in your area that wuold be a great way to start. You can even do a volunteer job with him and be his job coach for now and give him a head start before they start in high school.

By the time he reaches the age of 16 the school will have to start a transition plan for him. Part of that is job training and planning for his future, where he will live, how he will access transportation, etc. Transition planning is typically and area in special education that is lacking so it will be good to have your ducks in a row and start thinking what you really want for him.

Some ideas beyond group home are a supportive independent living where he would either have someone come in as needed up to a "roommate" provided by an independent living type group. I know of a young adult in our area who is mentally delayed and lives in this type of situation. she has job coaches, support staff and a "roommate" all paid by regional center. She is eligible for housing support and as such has a rent controlled appartment in a pretty darn nice area with financial support from SSI. With those supports she is able to live in her own home. Your son may not need that level of support but that is one idea of something OTHER than a group home. It is a matter of being a creative thinker.

One GREAT fabulous resource for information is "People First". Do a web search. They likely have a chapter near you. People first is an organization OF people with disabilities helping people with disabilities live adult lives in the way they choose too. Self determination is the buzz word used but that they get to determine their future and what they want.

I know how you feel. I have a 11 and 13 yo with ASD. I have been told various things between they won't live independently to they will, etc. It is a scary time we are entering as they become adolescents.

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APOV on Autism
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Wed, 11-28-2007 - 5:09pm

Kristine,


IQ tests are heavily geared towards reading. If your son has any reading difficulties, then his scores would be low. It would not be an accurate assessment of his intelligence though. You describe him as high functioning in general.


I would not continue to see a therapist who was so gloom and doom about it. yeah, maybe a group home will happen somewhere down the road (i wonder the same thing about my son sometimes and he's only 9). But, you aren't there yet and it seems like she's writing him off already.