Autism Spectrum Disorders

   I recently heard that Asperger's Syndrome is no longer going to be diagnosis, that they are calling it all ASD.  I fear that it means that kids diagnosed with AS will no longer qualify for services that are provided for them because the diagnosis may not be specific enough or even recognized. 

   We only learned of AS in 1998 and it was not widely recognized then.   Prior to then he had been diagnosed as bipolar.  In fact, I  presented the information about AS I had found to his doctor.  The difficulty we have faced since then has been getting services as an adult.  Because his IQ is not below normal, he already does not qualify for the services he needs.  In Kentucky, you have to have a below average IQ in order to be considered developmentally disabled.   How many other Aspies out there face the same struggle?  Many, I am sure.
   I hope this change does not cause loss of services to anyone.

A New Direction

....We had a case worker for a year or so that was very affirming of our son in his interest in photography.  She encouraged him to pursue all that he could and he progressed while doing it.  Unfortunately, as has proven to be common in our lives, she was moved to another department and given a different job and we lost her.   That was about 2 years ago.  He has done very little with photography since then..
...She was the person who suggested that I contact Jackie Marquette.   I researched to find out who she was and what she did, but I did not contact her then.  I should have.  Now, at a time when things seem to be falling apart for our son, I contacted Voc. Rehab and they are going to support him having an evaluation with her this coming Friday.  I have no idea if it will help.  I can only pray that something good comes of it because our options are narrowing by the minute as we grasp at what seems to be straws in the effort to find the supports that he needs to live successfully on his own.