Re: Students get help with college experience

[Guest guest]

Wow, Sue. That is a great looking program.

RoxannaYou're UniqueJust like everyone else...

( ) Students get help with college experience

This was an encouraging article for what one school is doing to workwith students at their college with disabilities, especially socialskills issues.Link:http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/02/24/students-with-learning-disabilities-get-help-with-college.html?PageNr=2Sue in TN

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[Guest guest]

Hi Sue and Roxanna!

I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this article caught my eye. I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone with Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the dishwasher! Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good job, still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things. What I wonder is how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can live on his own?

Jill

[Guest guest]

I would say...practice, practice and practice. Get him into a routine that he will do it automatically himself.

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: Jill Kern <JillBKern@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Students get help with college experience Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:01 AM

Hi Sue and Roxanna!

I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this article caught my eye. I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone with Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the dishwasher! Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good job, still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things. What I wonder is how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can live on his own?

Jill

[Guest guest]

I recently went to a ROPES training course in Shasta County CA at the Rowell Family Empowerment Center and they said that one thing everyone on the Autism spectrum has in common is a lack of executive functioning skills.  The book they handed out at the training has sample worksheets for guiding the person with autism to work out a plan for doing things and how things fit together so that you don't spend your life saying, " Then you pick up all the socks off your floor. " etc.  The trainer said that one of the students she helped calls the forms social math.

 

Kathy  

On 3/20/09, rushen janice <jrushen@...> wrote:

I would say...practice, practice and practice.  Get him into a routine that he will do it automatically himself.

 

Jan 

Janice Rushen

 

" I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope "

From: Jill Kern <JillBKern@...>

Subject: ( ) Re: Students get help with college experience

Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:01 AM

Hi Sue and Roxanna!

I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this article caught my eye.  I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone with Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the dishwasher!  Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good job, still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things.  What I wonder is how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can live on his own?

Jill

 

[Guest guest]

ROFL!!! Let's see, we've been " practicing " going on 24 years...when do you think

it will kick in! Sorry, Jan, you always give good answers but I am in a ticked

off mood with DS right now.

Setting his phone alarm to remind him to shower was a great idea, until he lost

his phone...hmmm, last I heard it was just " broken. " But we picked him up at

JobCorps today with intentions of getting it fixed over weekend.

" Have you got your phone? " I asked before we left the Center.

Yes, well where is it? Hmmm, can't find it? Well actually he LOST it...doesn't

know where it is. Do you have your dress jacket (he has a job interview this

weekend) he assures me he does have it packed, crushed into duffle bag. Well,

let's get it out...hmmm, it's not in here! Imagine that!

Sorry, sorry, sorry, I just feel like we could practice and remind and practice

showering and reminding for another 25 years and it would not make any

difference!

His doctor has actually suggested hypnotizing him. I am considering it, has

anyone had experience with that? She is in practice with a psychologist who is

also hypnotherapist and thought it might help. I don't see how it can be much

worse!

PO'd in TN

>

>

> From: Jill Kern <JillBKern@...>

> Subject: ( ) Re: Students get help with college experience

>

> Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:01 AM

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> Hi Sue and Roxanna!

> I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this article

caught my eye.  I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone with

Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the

dishwasher!  Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good

job, still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things.  What I

wonder is how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can

live on his own?

> Jill

>  

>

[Guest guest]

You are so RIGHT about thinking thru consequences. He actually loves having a

" to-do " list, draws the little check boxes and all! But more difficulty in

things like losing his cell phone. It never entered his head that if I am

looking for a job, people might need to get in touch with me!

He is going to second round of job interviews this morning...job is at a very

large, upscale senior living center where DS would be sous chef and preparing

foods. They have retirement living to nursing home...perfect as DS really loves

older people. He never had any grandparents, so seems to really enjoy them.

Cross your fingers for us. They liked him enough to ask him back for second

interview to meet the managers. I am hoping the cooking thing will improve his

ex. func. too. You have to think, I need ingredients x, y, and z and you have to

do stuff in a certain order.

If he does get this job and health insurance, we sure will try the hypnosis. I

really respect his physician a lot, she's wonderful and also has ADD, so very

understanding and sympathetic to DS, so if she says try it...

Oh my gosh, so much to worry about...we are also going to go retake driver's

test today after license suspended for points! And he's got to have a place to

live, too far from our house for reasonable commute.

Sue in TN

> >

> >

> > From: Jill Kern <JillBKern@>

> > Subject: ( ) Re: Students get help with college experience

> >

> > Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:01 AM

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> > Hi Sue and Roxanna!

> > I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this

article caught my eye. I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone

with Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the

dishwasher! Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good job,

still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things. What I wonder is

how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can live on his

own?

> > Jill

> >

> >

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06:59:00

>

[Guest guest]

This sounds like the perfect job for him! Fingers are crossed!

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: carolynsuelowerychattanooga <sue@...> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 7:48:29 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Students get help with college experience

You are so RIGHT about thinking thru consequences. He actually loves having a "to-do" list, draws the little check boxes and all! But more difficulty in things like losing his cell phone. It never entered his head that if I am looking for a job, people might need to get in touch with me!He is going to second round of job interviews this morning...job is at a very large, upscale senior living center where DS would be sous chef and preparing foods. They have retirement living to nursing home...perfect as DS really loves older people. He never had any grandparents, so seems to really enjoy them. Cross your fingers for us. They liked him enough to ask him back for second interview to meet the managers. I am hoping the cooking thing will improve his ex. func. too. You have to think, I need ingredients x, y, and z and you have to do stuff in a certain order.If he does get this job and health insurance, we sure will try the hypnosis. I really

respect his physician a lot, she's wonderful and also has ADD, so very understanding and sympathetic to DS, so if she says try it...Oh my gosh, so much to worry about...we are also going to go retake driver's test today after license suspended for points! And he's got to have a place to live, too far from our house for reasonable commute.Sue in TN> > > > > > From: Jill Kern <JillBKern@>> > Subject: ( ) Re: Students get help with college experience> > > > Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:01 AM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Sue and

Roxanna!> > I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this article caught my eye. I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone with Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the dishwasher! Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good job, still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things. What I wonder is how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can live on his own?> > Jill> > > >> > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.21/2014 - Release Date: 03/20/09 06:59:00>

[Guest guest]

Seriously, I am starting a new business venture, M.O.M .(mail order Moms!)sort

of like mail order brides,LOL, you know EXACTLY what he needs.

This job he interviewed for would be great. The place is run by the ian

Brothers and they have facilities all over the world, and DS would love to have

opportunity someday to travel and work in another country. We'll see. Second

interview went well today. It was with the sous chef to make sure he liked

too. DS presents well, all dressed up, short hair, no tatoos or piercings, suit

coat and tie! The hiring chef said one of their biggest problems is that

applicants can't pass the drug screen!

Driving has been a nightmare though. A bunch of small accidents and one speeding

ticket. And, in every case, it was because he either hadn't taken his

medications for ADD, or just popped the pill and ran out the door cause he was

late for something. I am very thankful that they were all small and no injuries,

but all because of inattention or being in a hurry, or in the last case, super

tired. He had worked all week and volunteered to work a festival on Friday

night. Cop thought he was drunk, but no alcohol, just so dazed and tired.

Anyway, license suspended right before he went off to school. He retook drivers

test (written) today and failed it. Yuk, so don't know exactly what we are going

to do. There are no city buses, but there is a bus for people with

disabilities/economically disadvantaged that he used to ride to work and he

LOVED it. Made great buddies with all the drivers, most were wonderful and great

role models.

Car is key to independence,job, etc...he can retake in a week. Was so sure he

had it down.

M.O.M. (aka Sue in TENN)

>

> Maybe you could find him a wife? <GG> Then she would keep him organized or

go crazy trying? lol.

>

> Ohhh, the job sounds so interesting! I hope he does well at the interview!

Fingers are crossed!

>

> Why did he get his license suspended? Wht was he doing wrong? I can't get my

ds to even practice driving. He's had his permit twice now and then lets it

expire. I beg and plead for him to practice. He's only driven about two times

so far. Do you have any bus services he could use? I know my ds would never do

that even though the option is available to him for doing it.

>

>

> Roxanna

>

> The government's view of the economy

> could be summed up in a few short phrases:

> If it moves, tax it.

> If it keeps moving, regulate it.

> And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

> Reagan

> ( ) Re: Students get help with college

experience

> > >

> > > Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:01 AM

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi Sue and Roxanna!

> > > I haven't been keeping up with the group very well lately, but this

article caught my eye. I certainly know what it means to have to remind someone

with Asperger's syndrome to shower, wash dirty clothes, and put dishes in the

dishwasher! Since my son, who has graduated from college and has a good job,

still lives at home, we can remind him to do all these things. What I wonder is

how we can teach him to remember these things himself so that he can live on his

own?

> > > Jill

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------

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> >

> > No virus found in this incoming message.

> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> > Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.21/2014 - Release Date: 03/20/09

06:59:00

> >

>

>

>

>

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> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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>

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> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

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17:58:00

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Roxanna and everyone else!

Maybe we should change the topic to "Asperger's kids in the working world" or something like that. Anyway, you asked how Owen is doing. He seems to like his job writing software. The best thing about it is that the people in his office seem to collaborate rather than compete with each other. This is a big change from college. They seem to divide up a big task with everyone doing a little piece of it, then they periodically get together for review sessions in which they all bring up problems they have been running into and make helpful suggestions to each other. Owen has been able both to get help and give help to his co-workers, and this seems to be very satisfying to him. The reason I keep saying "seems" is that this is the first time in his life that he is really on his own during the workday, so all I know is what he tells me about it. I can't observe firsthand. I can't talk with his co-workers and supervisors. I can't help him, because I really don't understand the work that he is doing, even when he tries to explain it to me. This is probably good for him!

What my husband and I can do is try to help him be organized when he is getting ready for work in the morning. My husband is really the one who has set up a routine that never varies much: he wakes Owen at 5:25 or 5:15 (depending on whether it's a hair-washing day), reminds him to take a shower and be sure to use deodorant, and sets his place at the table with juice, cereal, a little pitcher of milk and the comics section from the morning paper. Owen gets dressed, comes out to the dining room, fixes his cereal and eats it, then goes back to the bathroom to brush his teeth and shave. Then he packs his messenger bag (my husband usually makes his lunch for him the night before, even though Owen knows how to do it) and makes sure to take his wallet, ID card, and sunglasses (even though it's totally dark when we leave). We try to get out of the house between 6:10 and 6:15. I have to get him to the place where he catches the van to work by no later than 6:30. Because of the early hour, it's not practical for him to take public transportation to get to the pick-up point, and he doesn't drive. The reason he and his co-workers leave so early is that they can get to work in 35 minutes that way, but if they wait until rush hour, it takes an hour and a half or more.

He gets home from work in the afternoon any time between 4:40 and 5:15, depending on the traffic. I wait for the van at the pick-up and drop-off point and drive him home.

This might sound like a tiring schedule to some people, but he says he likes it better than going to college. I think it's because of the lack of pressure. There are no tests, no strict deadlines, no exams, and no homework! He's learning new things every day, which he likes.

Your idea of a written schedule is good, especially since we don't have one on weekends. Unless I remind him, he doesn't remember to wash his clothes and do other chores to get ready for the next work week. He also doesn't shave on weekends unless I ask him to. But I think he would do these things, if we wrote them down. I'd like to build some exercise into the schedule, too. I never worried about that while he was at the U. of Md. because he had to do so much walking between classes, and some of the buildings were far apart. But now he just goes to one building and stays there all day, working on a computer. So I'm going to try to get him to choose some kind of exercise he enjoys so he won't become a desk potato (the geek's equivalent of a couch potato).

I'd be interested in hearing about other families' experience with their kids' first jobs. Good luck to everyone!

Jill