What I quickly found out is that his diagnosis ‘falls through the cracks’ in regards to services available. He doesn’t have Autism, Mental retardation, Down syndrome or any of the more commonly known disabilities. He has Asperger Syndrome, which is often referred to as High-Funtioning Autism and falls under Pervasive Developmental Disorders or PDD.
Of course those with more commonly known disabilities should receive the services they do, no doubt about that. But it has been very frustrating and disappointing to both my son and I that there is little to nothing available for those with Asperger Syndrome.
One main example is job training and assistance. My son has wanted to work, have a job, for many years. Something I always knew would help him mature, build his self-confidence and gain more social skills.
However we have struggled to find job opportunities. Even harder to find is the funding for job training and job coaches. Those with Asperger Syndrome need these not only for the training needed but also to help them through the initial anxiety that is so common with Asperger Syndrome.
This is an issue that I am constantly being told is because Asperger Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD, “falls through the cracks” of services available. I have refused to accept that answer and continue to fight for more services and opportunities for my son and others like him.
I know my son can succeed and I only want the tools he needs in order to be fully independent someday. Isn’t that better than the alternative for these children and young adults? I think more should be available to encourage their independance instead of dependance. The system is broken and it needs to be fixed.
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