Asperger’s Syndrome

As young adults, my sons are navigating so many turning points: higher education, career paths, relationships. And simultaneously they are learning to live independently: laundry, meal prep, car appointments, and perhaps even rent payments. When the sun is shining and they have a good day, a good week, a good year, we celebrate and try to capture the moment, hold onto the ease and joy. When the clouds hover, though, a parent’s whole life can be affected.

Every parent knows the adage “Little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems.” Some may agree, while others believe the saying trivializes the challenges our little ones may present. What’s clear, though, is that when our kids enter young adulthood, we cannot force them to do anything. We can suggest, advise, encourage. But we cannot require our young adult children to eat healthy foods, turn off the screens, write a thank you letter after a job interview. When our young adult children are neurodiverse, the issues families face can feel more potent. That’s why I am developing workshops to support parents whose neurodiverse young adult children are struggling.