Achieving Independence Through Treatment
Written by Craig Rogers, Posted on , in Section Turn For The Better
If you or someone you know has a child with autism, then you probably already realize how difficult it can be for parents who believe that their child will never live a fully independent lifestyle. Many people who find themselves in this situation will simply resign themselves to caring for their child into adulthood. This is exactly where Cindy and John found themselves with their son Jordan just a few years ago. From the time Jordan was born he was reluctant to communicate and seemed withdrawn, displaying clear signs of autism. Despite this, it was years before Cindy and John had him tested and realized what the issue truly was. From this point they started doing everything they could to support their son, but it was difficult for them to make substantial progress.
Treatment Becomes Necessary
As Jordan reached high school, the issues caused by his autism became even more of a serious problem. One of the major reasons for this was the negative influence that some of his peers were having on his behavior. He started acting out in some serious ways that were putting his future in jeopardy. At this point, John and Cindy realized that it was definitely going to be necessary to get some outside assistance. They started looking around at different treatment options, and eventually settled on the New Directions For Young Adults program. This program works with young adults with autism to help them build the skills they need to function as independent adults. A few weeks later, Jordan left home for Florida to attend the program and his life has completely changed. This took place almost a year ago, and Jordan is now living as an independent adult. He still receives help from NDFYA, but he has his own apartment and is personally responsible for every aspect of his life.
A Life Changing Experience
Just this month, John and Cindy made a decision that really drives home how much of a difference NDFYA has made for their family. They bought a new home for their retirement and didn't think it was necessary to find one with enough room for Jordan. They are finally confident that he won't be living with them for the rest of his life. The skills he has developed through NDFYA are guiding him through the process of improving his life and the independence he has already gained is enough to show them that he capable of living without them. This has been a dream come true for a family that though autism would always be a burden on their lives.
