|
Mental Health Support
|
Adults with Asperger's are "disabled" in part because
we call them disabled. The "neuro-typical" world does not embrace
their characteristics.
|
A range of professional
support services for youths and adults with ASDs are available in
many areas across the country. The important thing is finding professionals
who are trained and experienced with ASD issues and who offer services
that focus on empowering individuals to use their own unique strengths,
interests and abilities.
We will be providing content for this page as resources become available. Please check back with us again to view new information as it becomes available on the following:
Understanding your diagnosis
Telling others
Drugs and medications
Support for addictions
Depression and anxiety
Finding professional services
Police encounters
Human rights issues
Facing Discrimination
Living with a Label
A clinical diagnosis of ASD always involves the person having then
to deal with the labels of "Asperger's" or "autistic" or "having
an ASD" in addition to any challenges already being faced. Some
adults with ASDs have been diagnosed when very young and have lived
with this label all their lives. Many have learned to take pride
in their differences.
Others are diagnosed
late in life and while they may have had knowledge of their "difference,"
the label will be new to them. Receiving a late diagnosis can
allow some individuals to better understand their life events
and to access important educational, living, social and economic
supports and accommodations that might otherwise have been unavailable
to them. Even so, by being labeled, the person may also face more
discrimination.
Dealing with Discrimination
There is still a lot of ignorance about disabilities in our society.
In addition, very few Canadians recognize social interaction
challenges as disabilities. More public education about the
nature of ASDs is necessary to combat intolerance and misunderstanding.
Most adults and youths with ASDs have struggled with social isolation
during their lives and many have experienced a lot of bullying as
children. This can make it even harder to make new friends and take
part in social activities as an adult.
Top
|
