My brother has Asperger's Syndrome Disorder, does he still have a promising!


Question: My brother has Asperger's Syndrome Disorder, does he still have a promising future?
My brother is 20 years old and was diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 5. I have been his best friend since I was born three years later so I know how to handle and take care of him. But lately I've been thinking about the future and was wondering if I'm going to have to look after him when my parent's pass on?
Every time I try to talk to my parents about the subject, they shut down and tune me out. My mom is still in denial that he will never get to live an average lifestyle, so she convinces herself that he will be able to drive and go off and get married and have a family of his own, therefore blinding herself to reality.
He's very much in control of himself, and has a job and everything, but he still needs supervision to function properly with the simple things: he still needs my assistance to cook a frozen pizza for example. He has improved TREMENDOUSLY over the years, and is very smart and well-behaved and polite.
But he has a difficult time applying his skills and knowledge in everyday life, he even had to quit college because he was unable to perform simple tasks ordered by his instructors. I just want to know if he will be able to take care of himself or will he have to live with/near me? He can't drive by himself, and has never had any interest (that I know of) in a companion, and I know my parents aren't going to be around forever, they aren't as young as the average parent of a 20 year old now as it is.
Any tips/advice/experiences would be GREATLY appreciated! I just want to have an idea, because I want him to be safe, I care for him too much. And I am prepared to take watch after him if necessary, just want to know if anyone else has gone through something like this? Thank you!

Answers:

Don't worry, my dear! There have definitely been cases where people with Asperger's syndrome have been able to live out an average life.

I read a book recently: "Saving Max" by Antoinette Van Heughten that shed light on the condition of Asperger's. What is most convincing is not the fictional story however, but the author's own, whose children were also diagnosed with Asperger's. She began writing her story years ago when her children still needed lots of treatment to communicate her frustrations. But she assures us that her children are now leading happy productive live. I encourage you to check up her bio and also the book if you have the time, although the book is more of a thriller read. =]

Let me congratulate you on being such a good, loving sibling. Your brother is very lucky to have you and I'll bet he knows that more than anything. You two deserve the very best =] Thank you for your inspiration.



Are you sure he doesn't have a more severe version of autism? I've never heard of someone with Asperger's who couldn't warm up a frozen pizza. He should get re-tested.




The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories