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Adult Aspergers, why the focus only on those with learning disabilities

DaisyGirl

I have noticed that almost all services for adults with autism/Asperger's is tailored only for those with learning disabilities. In fact it seems that in many ways the knowledge of autism is almost all about people with additional learning disabilities. Why is this?

Almost always when adults with autism are on the TV they also have learning disabilities? All the support is about learning disabilities. It is as if so called experts do not actually know what autism is, and that people can be very badly affected by their autism but also highly intelligent. All the literature points out that people with autism can be highly intelligent but suffer a great deal due to their autism but this is not being reflected in the way autism is being portrayed or in the support available.

I feel like this is getting worse. How can we change this?

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    There is, unfortunately, a tendency to assume that highly intelligent people "will be OK" regardless of other difficulties. I had some unhappy experiences of this kind of thing at school. While my Asperger's wasn't on anyone's radar (this was in the late '70s), I was a victim of bullying for many years, but the schools did not take it as seriously as they should have done, because I was a high achiever academically.

    In adulthood, I suppose they think that, having made it thus far, often without a diagnosis, help isn't needed. Having had to resign from a job because it and the manager drove me close to a breakdown, I can safely say this isn't true.

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  • Former Member
    Former Member

    There is, unfortunately, a tendency to assume that highly intelligent people "will be OK" regardless of other difficulties. I had some unhappy experiences of this kind of thing at school. While my Asperger's wasn't on anyone's radar (this was in the late '70s), I was a victim of bullying for many years, but the schools did not take it as seriously as they should have done, because I was a high achiever academically.

    In adulthood, I suppose they think that, having made it thus far, often without a diagnosis, help isn't needed. Having had to resign from a job because it and the manager drove me close to a breakdown, I can safely say this isn't true.

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