Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 3/12/2008

Question
My son was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 15 years of age.  This was just months before sitting his GCSEs.  He was always a very active child and very intelligent pre-school.  He never ever settled down at school the way you would expect and we constantly had problems revolving around his lack of concentration.

As he wasn't diagnosed until he was 15 years old, he was then taken out a lot of his subjects.  His educational qualifications do not reflect the intelligence he has.  Since leaving school he has had 3 jobs, all of which have not gone well and he hasn't lasted more than 6 months.  Lately he has undertaken a Princes Trust course and is due to finish within the next two weeks.  This itself isn't going too great either.

My husband would like him to join the Navy or Air Force, but I'm not too sure if it would be a good idea.  Where do we go from here?

Has anyone else experienced similar problems with their teenage child.  

Answer
Hi Dianne,

I am unsure why your son was taken out of classes just because he has A.S. His IQ did not change. I am unfamiliar with GDSE, you must be in Great Britain or Australia? If this was his college entrance exam, it's a tragedy that he did not take it.

His difficulty with employment is a common one for A.S. young adults.

First, I would not recommend sending him into the military. The difficulty A.S. kids have with attention span and sudden change would make boot camp a literal "hell." The military might not even admit him due to the diagnosis and that would only discourage him further.

It is my opinion that college is the best hope for A.S. individuals who are of high intelligence. It gives them the opportunity to specialize in a field they truly love. As you have probably observed, he can focus on things that interest him for long periods of time.

Our daughter failed most of her academic classes in high school. Yet her final grade average in college was 3.45. Quite decent. She says having control over when and how she did her homework was a big difference as well as being immersed in music, her first love.

She is not unique in succeeding in college after failing in public school. Many A.S. and high-functioning autistics thrive there. Some become professors, themselves.

If he were my son, I would explore ways for him to enter a university. The best resource I can recommend is a book co-authored by Dr. Temple Grandin, herself a high-functioning autistic. "Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism" by Temple Grandin, Kate Duffy, and Tony Attwood.

If college is not possible, encourage him to find his passion. Is he a computer geek? Does he have artistic or musical talent? Is he a good mechanic? See if you can find him a mentor in that field.

I know this is frustrating for all of you but hang in there. You may also have observed that his emotional development is about 3 years behind his age. He will continue to "grow up" over the next few years. That will help with many things.

Best wishes,
Catherine