Hello all from Southeastern PA

Post Reply New Topic

Hi all,

My name is Jeff, and I live in southeastern PA close to Philly. Currently, I'm a college student at Valley Forge Christian College majoring in digital media communications with a minor in business. I also work part time at a nearby hotel as a front desk receptionist. I have high functioning autism with my official diagnosis being PDD-NOS before the latest DSM was put out but I think I lean more in the direction of being an Aspie. As you might have guessed from where I go to college, I'm an Evangelical Christian; I have been a Christian for several years now. I'm growing more and more every day to learn and understand why I have autism. I take my autism as a gift from God that humbles me and opens my eyes to a unique perspective on life that not many can understand. Of course, it doesn't come without struggles ranging from difficulties in certain social situations, immense challenges with keeping on task with school work, and sensory integration issues that drive me nuts. I don't believe that autism is a disease to be cured but rather a mindset and a neurotype to be understood. There are many amazing things that autistics have been able to accomplish with how our minds are made. Dr. Temple Grandin is a major role model for me as her success has been due to her self-advocacy and drive to make a name for herself and bring major value to her perspective that has given her rock star status in the world of animal science. My hope with this site is to begin a conversation and start to connect with other Aspies who struggle like I do; I would love to be a resources for others and, in turn, hope that others will be a resource for me. Thanks so much for hearing me out! To God be the glory! Amen!

Amen and amen!
Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome!

What ways would you guys suggest that I connect? I'd want to find a Christian community on here; I'd also like to find other ways to connect as I do need some support information related to my autism.

Hi Jeff,

Since you are near Philadelphia, maybe you'd want to connect by coming to a meeting of the Greater Philadelphia Area GRASP chapter. It's a support group for people with Asperger's and we also have a pretty decent-sized lending library with books on AS topics for people who are new to AS and looking to learn more.

The next meeting is at 2pm on Saturday April 13th in the Easttown Public Library in Berwyn, PA. It's free and open to anyone who wants to stop by.

If I recall correctly, there might be a Christian Asperger's forum somewhere on GRASP's website, grasp.org, if you were mainly looking to connect with people who share your faith.

Hope that info helps!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Thanks to AnonymousAnonymous, ShelbyGt500, and DarkRain for the welcoming messages. This is the first time that I've really been a part of a community for people like myself.

Thanks blueroses for all of the major connection points. I've signed up to be a member of GRASP including the online Christian community and the Greater Philly chapter. I don't know if I can make it to the meetings at this point, but I would still like to be a part of the conversation as I have a ton of questions about how to get help in the state of PA for my challenges. I could use some sort of guidance with receiving help in terms of housing and other social services. I'm originally from NJ and most of my identity in terms of receiving social services is still in NJ, but I need to get it all here in PA and I have no clue where to begin. Any thoughts on where I should go to get this information?

Thanks so much!

welcome!

In the Philly area, I would suggest starting with agencies called Autism Living and Working (ALAW) or Liberty Resources. You should be able to find phone numbers for those companies if you Google them.

If you don't get the information you need from those avenues, PM me and I can give you the phone number for the agency I work for in Lancaster, PA. (Even though we don't serve Philadelphia, we still might be able to help point you in the right direction and get you connected to services in your local area).

Good luck!

Sweet greetings to WPea



Mick and Peahawk