Making future plans and hitting employment milestones
"I have documented each achievement and with it each and any frustrations she may have experienced, and the incredible bond and support she has with not just her parents and amazing brother, but her entire family."
By By Lisa JonesThis guest blog is from Lisa Jones. Lisa is the mother of two from Boston. She was an early intervention teacher assistant for 14 years. Currently, she spends her time being an advocate for her daughter Allyson who is 24 and autistic.
I have written several blogs about my daughter Allyson, who is Autistic and her journey in the adult world. I have documented each step from when she first entered the adult world after she finished her transition program at age 22 years old. I have written about the programs and agencies we use to help her achieve her adult goals. I have even written about the pandemic and how it implemented her programs and the effects it had on her progress. I have documented each achievement and with it each and any frustrations she may have experienced, and the incredible bond and support she has with not just her parents and amazing brother, but her entire family.
Allyson is now 24 years old and this is where we stand. We are closer to getting her a job one that is the right fit for her one that will give her enjoyment and pride. Finding a lifeskill mentor has been a challenge it is rare to find the right person the first time around, you may even go through a few people like we have until you finally find that one person that fits! They don’t insist they know what is best for your child but instead They can communicate without effort with them and bring some compassion and understanding of what your needs and goals for your child are.
I often wonder if other special needs parents experience similar things. There are some people who don’t quite understand challenges of being home with your adult child, the worries you have and the constant planning for their future so they can be as independent as possible! The future planning you do so hopefully the siblings will someday have less stress and worry.
I do know one thing for certain even though at times I may experience some frustration and little uncertainty I experience more gratitude, I have learned more life lessons from my Allyson and more importantly I beam with pride with every triumph Allyson experiences.
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