Growing Up With Autism - Newsweek Health - MSNBC.com

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What Happens When They Grow Up
Teenagers and young adults are the emerging face of autism as the disorder continues to challenge science and unite determined families.

By Barbara Kantrowitz and Julie Scelfo
Newsweek

Nov. 27, 2006 issue - Chicken and potatoes. Chicken and potatoes. Danny Boronat wants chicken and potatoes. He asks for it once, twice ... 10 times. In the kitchen of the family's suburban New Jersey home, Danny's mother, Loretta, chops garlic for spaghetti sauce. No chicken and potatoes, she tells Danny. We're having spaghetti. But Danny wants chicken and potatoes. Chicken and potatoes. His 12-year-old sister, Rosalinda, wanders in to remind her mother about upcoming basketball tryouts. His brother Alex, 22, grabs some tortilla chips and then leaves to check scores on ESPN. His other brother Matthew, 17, talks about an upcoming gig with his band. Danny seems not to notice any of this. "Mom," he asks in a monotone, "why can't we have chicken and potatoes?" If Danny were a toddler, his behavior would be nothing unusual. But Danny Boronat is 20 years old. "That's really what life with autism is like," says Loretta. "I have to keep laughing. Otherwise, I would cry."

What Happens When They Grow Up

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*shakes his head* Another reason to hate the liberal media.

While the article itself does not take the time to include ND perspective - it does raise the very IMPORTANT message about needs for services for ADULTS with autism and how that is almost totally lacking for many families. In our state autism is not covered by insurance companies - so any services that may in any way be related to autism can be denied. Also - it makes very apparent how the Combating Autism activitists sold out the adult autistic population by not including over 30 pages of the original draft. It also shows how many of those with AS are being taught to "hide their true selves" in order to be seen as more socially acceptable. So while it is not an uplifting article to read I think there are a couple of good points gleaned from it.

Yeah, that was interesting that the "activists" lobbied to get the parts addressing autistic adults out, for the "expediency". BS

Hehe I never understood that "liberal media" BS.

Am I the only one who thinks its suspicious that the "liberal media" is the one working hardest to spread the "liberal media" meme when 90% of media outlets are owned and run by conservatives?

This "WTF?!" moment brought to you by Fraya Mind Services. Your trusted source for all your reality-check bouncing needs.

In the US, the media is basically neo-conservative. Sickeningly so. My opinion only I found most of the article was for lower functioning adults, and it's a good point that the parents have no clue what to do and can't live forever. I've read articles that upset me. This one didn't affect me in either direction.

Idiots!! !! They're basically saying that people with any form of autism can't do anything, that they have no imagination or ability to be skilled at anything! It's completely wrong! How could they think something like that?! !! !! People with all forms of autism have capabillities and they can do things!

All in all, I think they needed to include a few examples of higher functioning folks who are more succesful, to emphasize the wide *spectrum* of ASD's.

Nah, the article is bang on. I'm pretty useless. I dont know how my uselessness got me a job 2000 miles away from where I as raised, how I ended up with a new car, apartment, electronics, or how I am not dead from lack of ability in the cooking department..

All in all, chicken and potato's sums my life up 100%.. I wrote the editor stating how painting everyone with the same brush was excellent journalism and to continue to spread the fact we are incredibly useless and dependent..

btw that was sarcasm

The people with autism in the article though are NOT useless regardless of their level of functioning. Successful and acceptable does not mean only those who are independent. This article DOES show that there are real needs that are not being met for a segment of those on the spectrum and that should not be ignored.