Autism and old people

Saying goodbye with some anguish and melancholy.

I launched in my micro possibilities a campaign on various sites in favor of some form of assistance for old age aspies .      Many of them have never been diagnosed, many of them don’t even know of the origins of their suffering. If they are so called high functioning, they may have thought, before the revelation, that they were “normal” people even as they had to go through an enormous amount of effort, and a constant feeling that there was something wrong, some sort of self deception and falsity in what they did, in their job and family life, if they had one, which rarely happens. They are normally single and loners. Fatigue was not a help in their  perception of their efforts. In a sense old aspies are left to manage their own winter by themselves. Wisdom is nowadays not commodity requested by society.

 Dependence is an act of begging, which not many can rely on for their insularity. At a certain age they normally have no more families or relatives. “Friends”, or, better, acquaintances disappear. An old aspie cannot protect anybody, and cannot receive protection. Are severe autistics in better condition? Donna Williams maintains that they are less desperate. I don’t know.

A blind, a deaf mute, a limp receive some assistance, if anything by the social services. Aspies are invisible.

 

Parents
  • I do not have a diagnosis, however my son has HFA and ADHD and my husband we suspect AS.  I can relate to what yo have all said.  Just last night as I sat crying at the kitchen table trying to work out what the right decision is for my sons education - mainstream or home - I was saying to my friend - they just don't have the insight to understand and she said they are not going to and what is hard is he seems like a normal boy.  I went on to explain he acts normal because he wants to fit in and craves friends but when at home in a safe place he is making robotic noises, stimming and regurgatating films verbatim or in some dark moments rubbishing his life big style.  My husband also says at work he goes into role and it is easier.

    I have in recent years been really concerned what will happen to my son when he is older if we die.. I know it is morbid but practically, who will care and help him with those things that seem so trivial to others, are critical to him.

    Wouldn't it be great if there could be some sort of volunteer, charity where people could be vetted to be an acquantance of older folk on the spectrum.  Someone that would help in a crisis or just be there.  I would happily volunteer to help someone now in my area.  I know it would take a lot of work to set something like this up but it could be a lifeline for many.  Not sure if this idea is a lot like the befriending scheme NAS do  or not.  Food for thought??

     

Reply
  • I do not have a diagnosis, however my son has HFA and ADHD and my husband we suspect AS.  I can relate to what yo have all said.  Just last night as I sat crying at the kitchen table trying to work out what the right decision is for my sons education - mainstream or home - I was saying to my friend - they just don't have the insight to understand and she said they are not going to and what is hard is he seems like a normal boy.  I went on to explain he acts normal because he wants to fit in and craves friends but when at home in a safe place he is making robotic noises, stimming and regurgatating films verbatim or in some dark moments rubbishing his life big style.  My husband also says at work he goes into role and it is easier.

    I have in recent years been really concerned what will happen to my son when he is older if we die.. I know it is morbid but practically, who will care and help him with those things that seem so trivial to others, are critical to him.

    Wouldn't it be great if there could be some sort of volunteer, charity where people could be vetted to be an acquantance of older folk on the spectrum.  Someone that would help in a crisis or just be there.  I would happily volunteer to help someone now in my area.  I know it would take a lot of work to set something like this up but it could be a lifeline for many.  Not sure if this idea is a lot like the befriending scheme NAS do  or not.  Food for thought??

     

Children
No Data