Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 4/12/2009

Question
I'm a mother of a young man with Asperger's. I'm also a special ed consultant with a school district and am currently working on a Ph.D. in autism. I'm one of the other autism experts @ AllExperts.com. I'd appreciate your thoughts on two areas, please.

1. My son attends university and lives on his own. Unfortunately I'm not sure this is the norm for young people with high functioning autism and Asperger's. What do you see as preventing them from having more independent outcomes?

2. I also need some help please for one of the classes I'm taking in my Ph.D program. Could you tell me what sorts of things in your experience families, teachers and/or counselors spend money on related to AS and autism? Which books and other forms of services do you feel are bought? Are there gaps in the information they can currently find?

Thanks for your thoughts and your time,

Sharon


Answer
Hi Sharon
Nice to hear from another "expert."

You ask about independent outcomes and why they vary from individual to individual. It is probably due to several factors:
1. Asperger's is on a spectrum as well. With higher functioning individuals obviously being able to be more independent than others
2. The ability for individuals to utilize technology in the environment. I firmly believe that individuals who can utilize technology have a better outcome. (I teach webinars on this subject and my book is all about this.)
3. Social skills!! I ran social skill groups for HFA/Asperger individuals for years!!
4. What they want to do. We try to motivate the individuals with HFA or Asperger's to pick opportunities that fit with their personalities to maximize success. What is your son studying?

For your research project: Parents spend money on:
1. therapies
2. biomedical interventions
3. trainings
4. how to books

You should do a survey of parents to see if they feel there is a gap. You will get great info!!

Good luck and let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!!

Valerie
valerieherskowitz.com