<p>I am so proud of my son. It has been 2 years since I posted that my son was starting his college career at UF and majoring in Engineering. To say that the last two years have been easy would be an extreme understatement.</p>
<p>My son was diagnosed with Autism/Aspergers when he was 2 years old. We immediately got busy with over loading him with intervention and therapies. He has been doing fantastic while still on the spectrum he has really improved to a point where professionals that meet him today say NO WAY he is on the spectrum. But WE know better.</p>
<p>So 2 years of Engineering in a school of over 50,000 students mainstreamed. We just dropped him off at school this week where he has 3 room mates all seem to be great kids, he has his own car, and most importantly when he checked his mail box he had a letter from the deans office informing him that he is know on the deans list. Taking classes like Chemistry, Calculus, Physics, etc etc and maintain a 3.5 gpa to us is a miracle.</p>
<p>Are you kidding me?? We are so proud, happy, ecstatic that I had to get on here to let everyone know. If you have a child on the spectrum let him or her go for it. Dont hold them back, do not be afraid to hit a few bumps. We never know what our children are capable of doing until we let them run with it.</p>
<p>My S just finished an Internship with a large firm in South Florida he loved it. Worked 10 weeks and made some extra cash. But much more important than the money was the boost to his self esteem and self confidence.</p>
<p>I realize that all students on the spectrum have different challenges and obstacles. I hope my words will encourage even one of you to continue the uphill struggle for your child.</p>
<p>May God Bless all of you and I hope you and yours have a fantastic year.</p>
<p>What an uplifting story!! Congratulations to you and to your son. I am sure that a great deal of parental work and effort went toward this outcome. Again - kudos to you :)</p>
<p>Thanks so much for posting this! My son is a junior in high school and just starting his college search. I am a little uneasy about finding the right type of school for him because of his quirks, so it’s nice to hear about the successful launch of another kid with Asperger’s.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the post. My DS starts Junior High this year and I expect we might have some back slide the first month since it will be so different than the last four years. He is a lot better since his diagnosis in the 2nd grade but still doesn’t like change. He has a problem of pushing things down until he finally explodes. He doesn’t have a mean bone in him but when he explodes he can hurt himself or others. Seeing a new therapist to go over some of his calming techniques and remind him to let others know if something is bothering him. Hearing your story gives me hope for his future.</p>
<p>How wonderful of you to post this great news! Congratulations to you and your son. We can hear how proud you are and it’s awesome when someone comes back and updates on the positive side.</p>
<p>As a father of a 6 year old with an autism spectrum disorder, your son’s story is very encouraging for the many children who struggle with this everyday.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the congrats. Just keep at it, keep your head about you, have faith and let your child guide you. Dont put too much on his or her plate. But dont be afraid to push. You would be amazed on what they are capable of.</p>
<p>For those of you with younger children in HS and MS those years were the toughest. So keep the faith. You all would be shocked at how much their peers mature just by going to college. Something clicks as if they know they have to be nicer and more accepting of others. So be patient it does get better.</p>
<p>The hardest part for us was letting go. He had issues with roommates the first year. But as it tuns out his roommates were trouble. We did get him an apartment on campus with 3 other students, but with his own room with his own space. This made the biggest difference imo.</p>
<p>One more thing we did: since we live 5 hours away. We were able to find a personal coach that lived in the community. She was very helpful and was a great way for us to let go while at the same time it gave him someone to go that was close by. I would advise finding someone they are there just do some searching. You can look online, or ask college counselors or local psychiatrist.</p>
<p>A year ago we left our autistic son at his out-of-state college. I had my fingers crossed–figuring he’d either A) do fine, or B) crash and burn. He did great academically. He didn’t really make friends and socialize, but he attended all his classes, did the work, and finished the year with a great GPA. No roommate issues, but he did have his own room in a suite of 3. Getting ready to go back for soph. year.
He takes baby steps in other things–just this week, I was “celebrating” because S drove somewhere, alone, on his own initiative, for the first time ever. (Only down the road a bit, but a big deal for him. I had to force him to get his licence last summer.)</p>
<p>atomom that is wonderful news. Yes the first are all milestones. Absolutely be proud and enjoy the moment.</p>
<p>I also believe that the private bed room is a must for these students. It is fine to share an apartment style room, but it is imperative that they have their space to be themselves.</p>
<p>My son complains to me that trying to be NORMAL is sometimes exhausting for him. I have always told him that he is my hero. Ever since he was 2 years old and we started the therapies and interventions he handled everything with ease and kept on improving. In my eyes all of these kids are true heros.</p>
<p>Good luck this year. It sounds like he is doing great. Like my Mom has always told me one day at time just take it one day at time. Dont look to far ahead you may miss a turn.</p>
<p>Gator4ever, it sounds like he is doing great. Atamom, your sons experience was very similar to my son’s. Overall we were very pleased with his ability to be independent, get to classes, do his own laundry etc. and he had a great year academically with excellent grades. He did join clubs but did not make any real friends and spent a lot of time by himself. Just dropped him off for sophomore year and are hoping he can take that next step.</p>
<p>What an encouraging thread! Congratulations OP, and also to atomom and adamom. Our son on the spectrum is a senior and has his sights set on a college about an hour from home. Posts like yours give me hope!!!</p>
<p>Yes, congrats OP and other moms! I don’t feel so alone now. My Aspie son is 32 now and having issues in the workplace. Finding it hard to adjust. He did well in college academically, but never made any real friends. He didn’t drive until age 22 when I practically had to force him (so I can relate to the other driving story), but he drives all over now and uses a gps when he goes new places. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kinds of services your young adult kids have and how to find things like life coaches. My S wasn’t officially diagnosed until age 28, so we never had the help of school counselors.</p>
<p>wyograd76 we found my sons coach simply by asking local psychiatrist at the town where he is attending school. They were happy to help even without knowing my son.</p>
<p>We got lucky and found an Angel on earth. She was amazing. Worked very close with my S for the first year, less the second and now he is on his own for his third year.</p>
<p>I would start there or contact your local college/university and ask them.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you and to your Son. We will be praying for wyograd76 and her son. I am sure God will know who you guys are.</p>