Expert: Paul Johnson - 12/14/2008

Question
Paul, my 29 year old son Michael has just be diagnosed with Asperger's.  He is in an outpatient treatment program at St. Joe's Hospital for dual disorder in St. Paul, MN.  I would like to attend your support group in St. Paul along with my son so he can meet people that are also living with Aspergers.  Please advise when the group meets.  He is currently unemployed.  Is there funding available for people with AS to help them live on their own, find employment, etc.  Please advise.

Thank you.

Kim Koerner

Answer
Hey Kim,

Thank you for your importand and relevant question.

The group is dedicated to Neurodiversity. That is to say that we are a part of a diverse range of normal way of thinking, it is only that most do not know those who think like us are normal. So my group has as a goal discovering all that is right and talented within us.

It meets every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7pm.

We are at the Hamline Public library on Minehaha ave, just west of the Gingko cafe on north Snelling ave St.Paul.

You second question is one that is dear to my heart since I struggle so much with employment myself. There isn't any funding set aside for Asperger people. The general perception is that we are not impaired enough to merit funding.

I hope to soon create a focus group with the goal being for us to find solutions for ourselves in the area of employment. If you would like to help or know of anybody that can be of assistance let me know.

Paul