My ASD Child

Description of "emotional age" versus "chronological age" in young adults with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism who have failed to "leave the nest" - and what parents can do about it: ==> Launching Adult Children With Aspergers and HFA: How To Promote Self-Reliance Psychologist said... Thank you for all the work you do. As a psychologist who works with children and adult who have Aspergers, I find your posts to be the most informative and helpful of all the resources I've come across. You're an inspiration to those of us trying to help those with this challenge. Thanks again.

Your High-Functioning Autistic (HFA) child continues to protest that his teachers are being unfair. He also reports being bullied almost on a weekly basis. And to make matter worse, he's making poor grades and often complains that he doesn't understand his homework. Finally, a red flag pops into your head. You feel angry and start to wonder what in the heck the school is doing to your child. What's next? Go to the teacher and make a scene, thus burning a bridge with school staff ...or become an "effective" advocate for your child? Moms and dads of children with Asperger’s (AS) and HFA must learn to effectively navigate the abundance of public misinformation and prejudice that surrounds autism spectrum disorders –  and go to bat for their “special needs” children. In a nutshell, this means they must learn to be advocates. Advocating for your HFA youngster is one of your most important jobs as a parent. It is your sacred duty to protect your child from harm,

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States … shall solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…" Section 504 covers qualified children with disabilities who attend schools receiving Federal financial assistance. To be protected under Section 504, a child must be determined to: 1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; 2) have a record of such an impairment, or 3) be regarded as having such an impairment. Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualifi