How to prepare for adulthood with Asperger's?

Question

What skills do you need to learn to live independently, have a job, and maybe even get married and have kids? Where do you learn the skills? What would be a good job?

Answer 1

Hello, I'm a 45 yr old mother of a 27 year old daughter with asperger's. She is happily married with 2 beautiful children. They do live 3 doors down from me and visit often (every day)
She runs her home quite well and needs very little help. I do help her when things get on top of her. She has a daughter with asperger's too!! so life goes on. I find she is an extremely patient and understanding mother.
She did learn the basic skills of homemaking before she was married and learnt banking skills with her husband. She does come home for some advice financially but does all the budgeting herself. ( she has a book she writes everything in Bills, to pay and paid. All monies in and out.She finds it easier to understand it when it is written down.)
Sorry if I have rambled but I just wanted all to know it is possible to live a normal life with asperger's.

JoJ

Answer 2

Oh, gosh, Encantadora, you ask hard questions. I think the first answerer hit the main points. I would just add that you can learn all the skills necessary for independence (not a job, just the living alone skills) right at home, right now. If they haven't already done so, you can ask your parents to show you how to do laundry, cook, clean, budget, etc. Then, as you feel ready, you could suggest that you take over your own laundry, keep your own room clean, and so on. When you feel pretty confident in your skills, you could even request that they let you "play apartment" for a week or more. You could pretend that you are renting space in the house, and take care of all your own needs. That way, you'll know how it's all done while you still have the safety net of living home.
If your parents aren't able or willing to teach you these things, maybe you have a friend's family, a neighbor, or someone you're close to at church that could help you.
And of course, there's no preparation for living alone better than helping out at home now. The more you help, the more independent and responsible you become.
P.S. A good job would be one you like doing. Think about what you do well, what you like doing, and what jobs might allow you to keep doing that..

Answer 3

Basic independent skills like taking care of yourself (grooming), choosing appropriate clothes, doing laundry, and making simple meals are important. Learning to write a check and balance a checkbook is good, but you can also use cash and learn to budget. Opening an account is easy and you can get a state ID to cash checks. These skills can be learned in schools with life skills classrooms, but an individual with Asperger's should be able to learn them at home.

Vocational schools are good for learning a trade and they give hands-on experience with the assistance of a job coach.

Getting married and having kids is also possible. Social skills groups can teach you about relationships and anyone can fall in love. The responsibilities of child-rearing are huge, but with good support anything is possible.

Answer 4

My brother has Asperger's, and he just moved out of home. It was hard for him, but his house mates all know that he needs a fair amount of stability, and they're very good to him. Skills is a very broad term, but i think i can help you out with that.
People skills, is probably the most important. To be able to have conversations, express yourself properly, and to understand your own and others emotions, are all vital.
there are also countless amounts of books, and videos you can buy from just about anywhere. We have one at home about having a healthy marriage where one, or both people have Asperger's. ( I can't remember what it's called sorry)
There are also workshops that spring up all over the place, that teach all sorts of skills.
As for jobs though, it really depends on the person. Anything that is interesting, and has a lot of routine is quite good.

hope I've helped you out.