Resources for late Autism diagnosis?
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Anonymous
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DC is a young adult with Autism. 2nd year out of high school, she struggles interacting with every adult in her life -- professors, therapists, employers, family, including us. Her life is shrinking before our eyes as her social interaction difficulties affect her every segment of life. All is getting worse, not better.
I'm looking for resources for young adults with high functioning autism, mostly affecting their social behavior and self management. Anything from specialists who might re-validate her diagnostic, to therapists who can work through her deep masking habit, to education situations that might be tolerable for her, including on-the job training, and even considering away programs that might help her build the habits she needs to get through this. What works for a child or a teen is different than what works for a young adult who struggles to find herself. Surely others can share what worked? Art therapy was suggested, but I cannot find a therapist. We were also looking for a therapist that would bring her outside rather than in an office, and help her navigate her anxieties in the moment, rather than days after the fact, when she has already forgotten the conflict. |
Anonymous
What’s the conflict/challenges she’s having? Can you describe it beyond feelings? You mentioned anxiety but what does that mean or look like for her? What specific things does she need to address? What habits does she need to build? What life skills is she missing? Is she in college or living at home? Does she want help? Do you have financial resources to throw at this? |
Anonymous
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I mean... the details of how this young adult has become so alienated from the world around her is not going to be something resolved in a forum.... which is why I'm just looking for resources, not solutions, appropriate for young adults, to help her get back on her feet.
In this age range, most programs are concerned with substance abuse, which is not her issue. Programs for younger ages fail to address the realities that come with being an adult. So I am still hoping for resources. |
Anonymous
| Is she open to discussing medication with a psychiatrist? Someone whose anxiety is that severe is unlikely to be able to benefit from therapy until she is stabilized with medication. |
Anonymous
If you won’t give more details nobody can point you in the right direction. |
Anonymous
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DC is a young adult with Autism. 2nd year out of high school, she struggles interacting with every adult in her life -- professors, therapists, employers, family, including us. Her life is shrinking before our eyes as her social interaction difficulties affect her every segment of life. All is getting worse, not better.
I'm looking for resources for young adults with high functioning autism, mostly affecting their social behavior and self management. Anything from specialists who might re-validate her diagnostic, to therapists who can work through her deep masking habit, to education situations that might be tolerable for her, including on-the job training, and even considering away programs that might help her build the habits she needs to get through this. OP - Many years ago our oldest daughter was diagnosed with complex mental health issues whch first surfaced in college and she withdrew from her school and was home for nine months to diagnose and get appropriate treatment without the added pressues of a full-time college setting. Mental and physical health issues must be addressed first. If time is taken to do these, one may also find a positive and productive outlet in taking a college elective class for future transfer, in a volunteer job in an area of interest or talking a parti-time job -- something to give a structure to the day/week as treatment in terms of working with a therapist and adjusting to medications or just changes in medication. In the DC area, there is one group that I have read about that you can find detailed information on at TheDorm.com. [/b]The program's website notes: "We support young adults going through challenging times and help them navigate a new path to independence." This group would have been a wonderful resource to at least consult for our daughter many years ago. In terms of working with young adults with disabilities, it notes their professional staff work with individuals with Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, BiPolar, Emotional Dysregulation, OCD etc. The program seems to offer individualized services with group sessions, too. Aspects of independent living and relating to professional and personal peers would be addressed. This might be a place to get a comprehensive evaluation for your daughter if terms all the various aspects of her life that she is struggling in rather than just a specific evaluation and diagnosis for Autism which you seem to have done. If the program is not suited to the needs of you daughter after consultation, it might be a starting point to get references for adult providers serving young adults. From our experiece, it was also key to have the right therapist and medical doctor working together when she was first diagnosed and at home. Also to realize that it may well be that medication will just be a part of life in terms of keeping one's system regulated and in dealing with times of disregulation for whatever reason. It is well worth it to take the time now to get things straigtened out. On a broader scale for your daughter, in looking at a college setting if she has had difficulties where she is enrolled, you may want to also do some research at area colleges to see what supports for a student on the spectrum are offered. I know that George Mason for example has a support program - not he their LIFE program, but one for academically focused students with Autism. McDaniel is also a smaller school in Maryland with strong supports. In any case when she returns to college, keep track of all key dates for dropping a class and for requesting an incomplete. [/b]Hard as it is just remember there is no timetable to life. In our DD's case she completed a graduate program, has worked full-time at a job she enjoys, married and is raising two teens - and she has always maintained a strong medical team to keep life in balance. |
Anonymous
| Have you considered an Executive Function coach? My ADHD 22 yr old daughter has done much better with an EF coach than a therapist. I find the EF coach helps with more practical life struggles. Also EF coaches are easier to find. |
Anonymous
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You could look for group therapy for young adults. Some therapists run groups, often now online.
My kid was diagnosed in early childhood but has many of the same struggles now as a young adult that you describe. He has an individual therapist and a psychiatrist and has done some intensive outpatient programs, but it’s very difficult phase of life for kids like this. I would start with a therapist and try to support her as best you can. |