As an adult, what services would you want?

Post Reply New Topic

I have to wonder how many Aspies / HFA can afford services? Lest alone some autistic..
Most of my life was in minimum wage jobs. I have a fair paying job now, but HATE it.

I think the best service anyone could give us, would be to CHANGE America...
Instead of funding never ending wars (plural) and use the money to help create services for us.

The service I've desired most would be a place to go, away from NT people for a day or a few.. to build strength before returning to the "shark filled ocean".. Being alone 24/7 is as bad as living in their ocean...

Another service would be to "Educate" NT people in school and through TV PSA...

Some of us, if not all - we don't want to be crammed full of "drugs"

I would love to learn how to communicate with NT people... but is that possible?

I would want help in getting a job. As in, basically being put through the process, because interviews are hopeless and I have no experience.
Yes, I pretty much need my hand held.

As for co-morbid problems, I have epilepsy but don't need services due to the fact that I'm on good medicine now. I've got mild depression too... but I'm not sure what can be done for it besides just dealing with it as the phases come and go. The medication I'm taking had a powerful anti-depressant effect on me.

Yes, I think pretty much holding my hand what I need when I'm looking for help with romantic relationships. I mean, a vocational type social training for adults and personal mentoring / counseling. Or, if it's viable, arranging a peaceful place where mostly (but not exclusively) autistics meet each other, like a support group, but with a function of dating, open to everyone.

since relationships seems to be a popular area of interest and challenge, what about something like co ed small group outings? Like really small group, maybe four people? So they could sort of get to know each other socially and attend an event or meal together without the pressure of being on a date with 1 person and having to keep conversation afloat? I dont know. I know sometimes 4 is a LOT of people to an aspie, but maybe for some it could work if they were all aspies. It might be ice breaking for some who wouldnt have the courage to date 1 on 1 with all the expectations of that.

also, what about art therapy? Not necessarily anything with a skill level required, just making arts for adults with autism might be a good get together and relaxing and social skill building, plus art is very satisfying

Some sort of class about NT behavior and how they think. They've got too many classes about autism behavior for NTs. But nothing for autistics to learn about all the weird things NTs do. A support group for people on the spectrum would be nice too. Currently there's only support groups for parents and siblings in my area. There's nothing for the people who actually have the disorder.

An employment service. Potential employers willing to give people on the spectrum an opportunity could approach the service with job vacancies Maybe followed by occupational services, ongoing support for any social, communication, sensory and other autism related issues that could crop up while employed.

Marriage counselling services for people on the spectrum and their partners

Some great ideas so far, guys. I really appreciate everyone taking the time. I'm taking notes on all suggestions. Also just to let everyone know that your answers won't be published, although they may be shown to various people within our group. However, all responses will be kept anonymous.

So far we've gotten some great responses as far as every day life things. We also want to cover medical issues too, since the center will have a definitively clinical bent. So maybe I can rephrase my earlier question: Are there aspects of medical treatment, either primary or specialized, which you've had in the past that could've better accommodated your autism? For example, approaches which a doctor used, either in bedside manner or application of treatments, that made treatment for you more difficult. Were there conditions that were entirely missed in part because of your autism, such as painful conditions, GI problems, dental issues? Were there treatments you avoided because of fear of medical intervention? (These can also include mental health issues.)

I am pretty okay with social things now. I mean I can act well enough to get along, but you know what I would genuinely like to be made available? Volunteers who would just be willing to listen to me talk at them about my special interests, how I feel about the world, share music/literature with etc. I actually NEED to physically be able to do this with someone or else I get depressed. Luckily my mom allows me to do so once a week, but she tells me she gets tired of hearing the same stuff over and over. She doesn't wanna see 15 different live versions of "Skyscraper"

I think it would help a lot of AS people to have some sort of resource like this though. It would be cool if the volunteers could be assigned according to related interests.

I would love to see a gym for autistic adults. A pool (the bigger the better), swings, big trampolines, a regular weight room, basketball courts, and so forth would be great. Of course it would be quiet with fewer weird smells and fewer people trying to come up to you to talk/watch.

Services for adults are very much needed everywhere, especially in rural areas where there are unlikely to be any services altogether. A contact of mine and I are collaborating on how to tackle this issue for our region, so coincidentally this is an area of focus for myself.

Probably the most needed service is in the area of employment assistance. There are so many intelligent and capable adults on the autism spectrum, but the most likely scenario in my province, according to the statistics, is that even if the person was a good student, there is nowhere for them to go after high school and they end up sitting at home on a disability support cheque. And even if they apply for jobs, and even if they have gone through post-secondary education, they repeatedly fail to make the cuts because they are unable to have a successful interview. They also fail to pique the interest of potential employers as they do not have enough experience in their resume or have large periods of unemployment.

We need more of the following:

* Employment readiness preparation programs
* Individualized support with the help of dedicated job coaches
* Internships at trusted, informed community partners
* Bursaries for individual and vocational skill development
* Awareness of adult ASD among the general population and for employers

Personally, I feel that we also need ways for autistic adults to come together and share experiences in social/support group-like settings. I have seen and heard of a few of them and think that they are tremendously effective for providing a sense of belonging among the ASD population. As well, they should be given opportunities to further their social skills if they wish, through practical, personalized skill development opportunities.

I really have no problems with the exception of getting around because I don't drive and I get lost taking busses when I have made attempts using the bus. So I would really benifit from rides to the doctor amd once in a great while a store that is not in walking distance.