It's a question thousands of Georgia parents face who have children with autism: what do you do when your child is no longer a child anymore?
Navigating adulthood is difficult enough for a lot of people. For families of someone with Autism there are all kinds of question: will they be able to find a job? Where will they live? What kind of programs are out there to help adults with autism.
And finding answers isn't easy.
Cooking is a big part of Jennifer Thompson's morning routine.
But if you sit down and spend some time with Jennifer, you'll realize that the toughest part of that routine is not what goes on in the kitchen, but her ability to communicate.
"At an early age I knew Jennifer had differences. Her development was fine up until 2 years old she wasn't responding to her name or sounds," said Leslie Thompson, Jennifer's mother.
Leslie said that she had mixed emotions when Jennifer was first diagnosed as autistic.
"It seemed like autism back then was a taboo term because parents were nervous when they heard that term," Leslie said.
As Jennifer got older, Leslie said that she began to worry about the quality of life she would have.
"I felt like I was the only one out here with that," Leslie said. "I was afraid and I'm a Christian and I should not have been afraid and I was afraid."
Leslie is not alone. In this coming decade, 500,0000 young, autistic children will turn 21, the age at which federally mandated services stop being provided. Add to that a staggering 85 percent unemployment rate for young adults with autism and you can understand why many families are worried.
For many, the reality is that it will be tough road ahead.
Deborah Griffin and her son, Jonathan, know that reality all too well. Finding employment for an autistic adult unless you have connections is difficult, Deborah said.
Jonathan's only income is social security and the family has to wait two years just to get it.
There are currently 260,000 people on a waiting list for housing support. Those who are on social security get about $670 worth.
There are support programs available for families on young adults on the autism spectrum. The challenge is finding those resources. Autism Speaks has resource information for young adults.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:48:46 GMT
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:08:35 GMT
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section.
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section. She was surrounded by more than a dozen specialists and nurses. But this high stakes birth wasn't in a hospital operating room. It was at Zoo Atlanta.
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