<p>Since I had some free time before my study session, I'd thought I'd post and update you parents on my situation. I officially dropped my college counseling today. The people there backstabbed me and refused to advocate on my behalf with the engineering administration. My parents also said that my situation has gotten much worse since I started going to counseling, and it shows. My engineering classmates said that they are scared of me to the point that they do not want to be in class with me anymore, and some have considered either dropping out of classes they are in with me or filing a formal complaint with the college.</p>
<p>Instead, my parents and I went to see my psychiatrist, and he did a much better job of curing the situation. I am having to drop out of ECE for the summer and fall semesters in order to change the environment that I am in. I am still allowed to pursue biology and civil engineering, because that is enough of a change in environment as to not harm me. I must also work with my dad this summer, because I am not to be trusted with a job or internship because I am incapable of taking care of myself, according to the psychiatrist. He wouldn't adjust the medication.</p>
<p>So that's what's going on with me....feel free to reply!</p>
<p>Have you tried another psychiatrist? I don't see why you should have to drop out of a program, especially if you are close to graduating with a degree in it. Are you close to graduating with the degree? Then again, I'm not really sure what it is that you are doing that is scaring everyone else and what this has to do with staying in a degree program.</p>
<p>Oh boy, bio. Have you been through the mill or what?</p>
<p>Bio, you have a tough road to go. It is tough to sort through life with a severe case of Asperger's. Tough to sort yourself and take medication. I feel for you.</p>
<p>But like so many other parents, my feeling is that CC is not the place for you to make advances. In fact, CC might not be good for your mental health because it is not REAL social interaction. You cannot make progress by turning to CC.</p>
<p>Even though there is no Asperger's association in your area, ask your psychiatrist if there are any outpatient programs that might help you learn socially approriate behaviors. Perhaps he could recommend a group therapist who specializes in socialization? Has your family ever done group therapy with you? Do they know how to coach you to help you determine which behaviors will be socially successful?</p>
<p>Anyway, I know it's tough, but try to stay away from CC. Promise yourself you will find some real life friends--and you will learn to adjust your behavior so that they are not afraid of you or your Aspergers.</p>
<p>In response to bluealien, yes, I am close to finishing the ECE degree. I am 17 credit hours away from completing that degree after this semester. However, my parents want me out of that environment since I will not be able to get a job outside of my limited area due to my Asperger's. Besides, I'll just scare people just by my presence, so maybe I should drop out of ECE, and maybe out of college altogether. I want to finish, but I am becoming unable to function in the ECE environment, plus no jobs, so oh well. I am upset, but I must do as my guardians say.</p>
<p>Hang in there Bio. You'll learn to better manage your Aspergers with time and will find freedom you didn't expect. I have a little brother (biological, though I was adopted out) with Aspergers. He's about your age. Stability is key.....and it seems that your parents are trying hard to keep things stable.</p>
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Stability is key.....and it seems that your parents are trying hard to keep things stable
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<p>A little too hard. The more posts I read from bio, the more I think that Aspergers is not the problem--the parents are. I mean geez--are they still dressing him? He said in one post that they would not allow him to choose his food and made him go on the Atkins diet. A parent making a 4 year old eat certain foods I can understand--but at 21 someone should be making their own choices--maybe not about everything since he is living with them and has to follow their rules, but some things he needs to decide on his own. Like food, his major, his classes (which he can choose to an extent since colleges make you take certain classes to graduate), etc. None of that stuff needs parental approval.</p>
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In response to bluealien, yes, I am close to finishing the ECE degree. I am 17 credit hours away from completing that degree after this semester. However, my parents want me out of that environment since I will not be able to get a job outside of my limited area due to my Asperger's. Besides, I'll just scare people just by my presence, so maybe I should drop out of ECE, and maybe out of college altogether. I want to finish, but I am becoming unable to function in the ECE environment, plus no jobs, so oh well. I am upset, but I must do as my guardians say.
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<p>Then finish the degree. 17 credits is not much left to finish. What exactly is it that you are doing that is offending other people? Someone else responded to another one of your threads and wrote about her son who also has Aspergers. I cannot remember exactly what she said, but I do remember that her post said that her son and his friend are both overcoming their difficulties and either already graduated or are graduating soon.</p>
<p>Bio. this is really not a mystery. Asperger's people literaly see the world in a different way. While it may seem totally unfair, to succeed at the things you desire you will need to come closer to what your classmates see as normal behavior.</p>
<p>Honestly, this is not much different than many face in life. How are you expected to act at a country club, at a gay parade or a mensa meeting? The world is imperfect and we have silly stereotypes..</p>
<p>Bio, you need a coach, not a once a week shrink. Many insurance companies will pay. You ne someone to walk through life with you for a time an help you make sense of what other's think.</p>
<p>You clearly have what it takes to get where you want to go, so think about what you nee as a "translator". At some point you need to decide to not take offense at the fact that the world in general does not understand you. We all have our issues, and your's is to learn to act in a way most can relate to so that you can achieve your goals. And you will!</p>
<p>Something we need to remember as well. Bio told us he started college early, was it sixteen. Even 16 year old with "normal" stuff have issues in college.</p>
<p>THw world of Engineering students is a world unto itself anyway. </p>
<p>Bio-don;t give up. You need to find some resources for yourself. I hope you take to heart my early suggestions of volunteering.</p>
<p>Will your parents stillb e your guardians after you turn 21? Is that in writing somewhere? If not, you can advocate for yourself. Not suggesting anything harse, but their are lots of people out their that want to help people. Aspergers is getting more and more known. Make some contacts.</p>
<p>Yes, I did start college at 16, and about a year later, I dropped out of high school in order to start attending full time. I will have three bachelor's degrees, plus possibly be halfway to a master's degree in biology, by December 2007. My parents are strongly considering taking legal guardianship of me, as I am incapable of making my own decisions according to my psychiatrist and everyone else around me. Yes, the other engineering students are scared of me, and wish that I would drop out of school, which is probably going to happen without any counselors.</p>
<p>What would a "coach" entail? How would I get one? What would they do?</p>
<p>You need to get an advocate for YOU. An advocate is a person who fights for you, not your parents and not your psychiatrist. THey will look out for your interests. Maybe your parents do need to have guardianship, but maybe not. Maybe there is something in between. Not being a legal person, I am not pushing in any direction, I just think you should see what all your rights are and you do have them. Contact someone on the links we sent you before and see about the ADA and its connection to your situation. </p>
<p>It seems you aren't getting the help you really need. Everyone needs help, it just seems you don't appear tohave the right kind for your situation.</p>
<p>Then you need to find another therapist. I do not think that a good therapist would just basically tell a patient to give up (which sounds like what your's is doing by telling you that you can never have a job). What is it that you are doing that is bothering these other students? Have they even mentioned it to you or are they just going to complain to the Dean without even trying to first remedy the situation face to face?</p>
<p>The reason that my parents are in control of my life is that I cannot make enough money and be a full time student. I am going to try to make money this summer by working full time, but I am unsure that it will be enough to cover an apartment. I have to work for my parents because it is the only engineering-related job available in my area that would pay more than $10 an hour and pay benefits. My psychiatrist tells me to give up because I need a "change in environment".</p>
<p>I do not know what I am doing to scare these students, by the way.</p>