Functioning

Several studies put the number of adults with ASD living independently at less than half.
including those with low, average, or above-average IQs, remain at home well into their 30s and sometimes beyond.

Something that always stuck with me was a behavior therapist that said
"that's great that he knows how to do division at 4 years old, but if he can't dress his self or accomplish other daily living skills independently at say the age of ten, then what level of functioning would you say he is ?"

She was stating this to show that academic inteligence, even launguage skills does not automatically mean that someone will be able to "function" enough to need no supports as a adult. Daily living skills is something that alot of people with ASD struggle with.

Wether a child/adult is "high" or "low" functioning they both come with their own set of weaknesses and strengths and every person on the spectrum is unique

We need to stop with the high/low functioning labels, it tries to put our children in a neat little box and limits those around them to not see their potential or to acknowledge their struggles.

It's something I have had a hard time with, being a mom to two boys on the spectrum I myself have been known to refer to them as such, but when you know better you do better!

From moment to moment

the globe has no ‘end’ – no finish line as with autism.
Perception of competence in one area can not negate the reality that there may be serious challenges in others. -a diary of a mom-

There will not be a day where we reach the end, autism changes every second of every day.

one week you wonder what your worrying about because look! he is thriving pretending , engaging and spontaneous. he let you brush his teeth, bathe him (still no hair washing) but its better than before.

another he is refusing to leave the house and no amount of bribing has worked, time out has failed and here you are forcing him out the door and into the car just to run a quick errand.  (to him it seems your never going to return home) he has shut down and wont respond along with refusing to use his words.. I could offer him the moon and he would still give nothing.

But I know next week  or even 5 minutes from now I could have my happy spontaneous little man as engaging as ever back . That is what makes all the work all the therapy , the medicine we contemplated worried over and all the hours and I mean hours of research so very worth it.

because maybe one day the moments of disconnect will be so few  that we wont even notice or at-least they will not hurt as bad.
nothing hurts as much as not knowing how or what to do to reach your own child especially in a moment when you know they need you.

this is the beast of autism, where one moment your making so much progress and the next your wondering where all that progress went but Wait! dont blink because your on to the next hurdle with some new issue to tackle.