Thining about the future

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Thining about the future
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Sat, 01-19-2008 - 10:09pm

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Edited 2/19/2008 11:34 am ET by littleroses

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Registered: 11-28-2006
Sat, 01-19-2008 - 10:17pm
Thank you LR for sharing!
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-20-2008 - 1:57am

UGH, the future keeps getting closer. As I have mentioned here before it is something I have been thinking a lot about. How can I prep my kids to live independently and successfully. Unfortunately I think with AS kids and HFA kids we fall in the great in between. My fear is that they won't qualify for many programs or the programs will be gone and not funded, but at the same time won't be able to be independent. Who knows what the future will bring I am sure.

I keep thinking about Dawn Prince Hughes. A woman with AS who didn't know she was and had no skills as a young adult. She ended up homeless for many years and didn't even realize where to go to ask for help.

It is definitely an avenue worth investigating for all of us. Typical parents worry about what college their child will go to and how to save money for them to go. We have to worry about if our kids will be able to live on their own and what kind of job or career they may be able to be successful in and not get fired for this or that reason.

UGH! Thanks for starting the convo. I know I will be back for more on this one.

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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 2:14am

"I keep thinking about Dawn Prince Hughes. A woman with AS who didn't know she was and had no skills as a young adult. She ended up homeless for many years and didn't even realize where to go to ask for help."


Unfortantly, most people with mental problems and

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 01-20-2008 - 8:52am

I am trying hard not to worry too much about Tom's "independent" future right now.

                                

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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 10:27am

Isn't it hard to all take in? I wish I was closer to knowing now but I just don't think I am. Cait I think I can get there but with Mike I just want to make sure he isn't in some hospital program or jail.

I have often considered that the kids could live here with us forever. That wouldn't bother my husband or I but in reality it is not what is best for the kids only because we won't be here forever. We have to set up some sort of way for them to live independent of us and be their own advocates or have one because face it, we won't be around forever.

I don't mind the kids staying but it has to be in such a way that they don't totally depend on us and can manage after we are gone.

Renee

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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 10:51am

Yes, that's it.

                                

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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 12:46pm

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Edited 2/19/2008 11:37 am ET by littleroses
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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 3:31pm

LR


thanks for posting this. It is definitely somethign we will have to think about. As a friend said to me when Peter turned 9: He is halfway to being an adult" And although I know yhat is technically true, there is no way that it is actually true in his case. AGH!!!


Longevity does not run in either DH's or my family, so we do have to start lookign at this stuff for the kids and soon. It is a terrifyingly huge prospect. On one had I am still deal with letter reversals and simple addition with Siobhan and on the other hand, I have to look at long-term prospects for them both.


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-Paula

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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 4:17pm

I think you have hit on something with the creativity and parents working together. I think it is going to be a matter of us getting creative and finding ways to help our kids be independent. What kind of careers can they do and be successful in? How to make it that way.

Face it, the work world requires a huge amount of social ability in most cases. I can't imagine either of them in the work force and able to navigate that. Perhaps their own business of some sort. I have good ideas for Cait but no clue for Mike.

Then again, Cait has recently decided she wants to be a lawyer. I want to support her but, well, fat chance. This is a kid who needs an aide to get a B/C average. But at the same time I don't want to discourage her.

There is also the delicate balance between planning and letting them self determine their own course.

Renee

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Sun, 01-20-2008 - 4:36pm

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Edited 2/19/2008 11:38 am ET by littleroses

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