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Re: Disabled College Student, Links to Help

everlastinghope started this conversation
Sep 5, 2007

Wasn't sure how to respond to the fact I visited links someone recommanded. I have gotten in touch with most of the people from those links, but so far, I am told that I should qualify for SSI and to look towards the DVR for help. It looks as though I am doing all I can I am told. Perhaps this is because they really don't have anything for those pursuing higher education? I know that I was diagonsed just at the time autism was getting into the medical dictonary and that there have been a lot of research and help being opened up--unfortently, they are focusing their efforts on children. I seem to be stuck in the spot where if I had been born even five years ealier, I would not have had the resources I did had, but than again, if I had been five years later, a lot more could have been done for me and to help me out.
It makes me very disappointed that those who seem to be decicated to autism are focusing just on children. What about us adults who had parents who made sure doctors did whatever they could, despite not knowing much at all about autism and those of us who were able to benifit from those treatments despite the doctors saying it would never help?
It is as if people are saying, hey you have beaten the odds and are now higher functioning than you were but sorry, we don't know how to deal with you and well, children are more important. Its not fair and I feel bad ranting about it here, but it is frustrating to see the little help that is avaliable or known even from Autism Societies for adults. Who knows, maybe if I didn't have all the other problems, I could be better off, but I don't want to think of that.
I am who I am and my best is turning out to not be good enough. This is terrifing for me since I have a little over a year, less if my disabilities affect me as badly as they did last semester. Last semester, I was stuck in bed for three weeks because of the fibro and I cannot find any help. That is why I came here because all I want is a way where I can afford my medication, doctor bills and some other necissities. Please, if anyone has any more ideas, please share.

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idealey
Sep 9, 2008

I'm struggling with the same issue of a lack of resources for adults with autism. I also have an account on http://www.wrongplanet.net and have posted for help there a few times with very little response. There are an increasing number of resources for adults - in other countries - not here in the US. I really want to help change that with the funds from my own business (which is still in question and the reason I found my way here).

I started writing a book several months ago (last year?) titled the Optimist's Wager. It has some information in it about how to "play the odds" as it were in life -- one of the key volumes of research was a book titled the Luck Factor by an English scientist named Richard Wiseman. The good news is that being optimistic and holding out does pay off - the bad news is that all the habits that contribute to good luck are things that are very difficult for people with autism like you and I. But you're obviously already doing some of those things just by being on aidpage and being active, maybe even most of those things.

If you're interested I can make a prerelease copy of the Optimist's Wager available for you to read. But I don't want to push it on you. :)

Good Luck! I hope you find some good leads soon!

reply to idealey