Howdy, I'm new to this.

[TY WELCH]

Hello, I am the father of a 21 year old son with HF Autism. I realized last year that I had done little to prepare for the day my son would become 21 years old, would be out of the helpful public school program, and when it would all be on me. It was to easy to let others do. Now I am playing catch up and trying to do right by my son. I want him to realize fulfillment of all he can be and help him to achieve as much independence as possible.
I came here looking for answers to questions about ABLE accounts, job training, phobias, SSI, Medicaid, the DOD Incapacitated Adult Dependent program, etc.
I will probably find much more. I hope so.

 

[tree]

 

[Mia]

Welcome to the forum Ty, there quite a few people here from the US. Who may be able to help with information, and possibly others from around the world.

 

[TY WELCH]

Is this forum mostly for a different country than the US?

 

[Crossbreed]

Hello & welcome.

I came here looking for answers to questions about ABLE accounts, job training, phobias, SSI, Medicaid, the DOD Incapacitated Adult Dependent program, etc.
I will probably find much more. I hope so.

See Autlanders, Thriving Outside of the Box: Finding Support Resources in the USA...

Is this forum mostly for a different country than the US?

There are people here from all over the world, not the least of which, USA.

My first (a daughter) was born near Olympia, WA.

 

[Alexej]

Hi Ty and welcome to the Forums.

Is this forum mostly for a different country than the US?

i would not say that there is a particular notional flavour to the forums, although there are a number of people form the US on here, but also folks from other countries.

 

[OkRad]

If you are in the US, start a savings account for him. Too many on here are older with nothing and live with whomever, crushed by life because of being poor. Poverty makes an autistic person exceptionally vulnerable to abuse and misuse no matter the level of functioning.

 

[The Pandector]

Welcome Ty -

I finally self-diagnosed this year, at 68yo. My parents had nothing but contempt for me and my weirdness. Of course this trickled down to my siblings.

Sorry, I can't give you advice or guidance on governmental or other services. I just want to encourage you in what you are already doing. You accept and care about your son's condition. He knows that. From my perspective, everything else in his life is second-tier.

Why do I say that? My sons (late 30's) both have serious daddy issues. Neither of them accept my self-diagnosis as having any validity, viewing it rather as an old man's way to dispatch responsibility for my life's failures.

I grew up with no understanding or respect from my birth family, and will die with none from my life family. (My wife of 40 years was the exception, as she had no understanding but recognized and appreciated my achievements in life while under my nameless load.)

So I feel confident in saying that you are already giving your son the meat and potatoes. I wish you every good fortune in your efforts to pour on the gravy.

 

[clg114]

Welcome to Autism Forums!

 

[Thinx]

Hi and welcome, I hope that you enjoy it here and find it supportive. I'm in the UK, but people from the US will probably know about US provisions, also there should be local and national information you can Google on each item I would think.

 

[MyLifeAsAnAspie]

Hi and welcome to the forums. I'm in the US.

 

[VictorR]

Welcome!

 

[Aspychata]

Hello
Your son is blessed to have such a caring father. We do have resources here, and many older posts to read re: our children and obstacles that we overcame.

 

[Major Tom]

Welcome to the forums. I hope you find what you are looking for here. I can understand quite a bit what you are going through. I also have a son on the spectrum. He's quite a bit younger though. I often wonder about what the future will bring, once he finishes with school. So I can relate.

 

[Primrose]

Welcome. You sound like a caring father. I hope you find the answers you are looking for here.