A bit of that Tropical Yorkshire Jungle….

We knew this would begin to happen eventually. Almost 10 years back, the first Autism Specialist who worked with Hawklad warned us what would inevitably happen. Initially he would get support from a number of health and education teams. This would last until he became an older teenager and then it would start to change. Services and support would then be withdrawn until basically he was on his own, with his only support system being Family. As the Specialist explained, the system hasn’t got enough resources and is continually being further squeezed. Support needs to be available LIFELONG but in the UK you get to an age when that support is withdrawn. Hawklad will then be expected to fend for himself come what may with only family to turn to. Some describe Adult Autistic Support Provision in the UK as PATCHY, others call it NONEXISTENT.

That is such a worry going forward,

47 thoughts on “Age”

  3. It’s sad you were told this ten years ago and am watching it happen. No change or improvements, no reason to hope for better.

    We all deserve better from our governments, but the physically and mentally challenged can’t even get the support they need and should be entitled to.

    And we’re the top of the food chain. 😒😒

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  4. Autism disorder is a huge spectrum and it seems the medical community has left it out as a choice in their quest for cure. We have funding in the US with no specialized care givers and it is a huge burden on the parents shoulders for the children who are severely affected. I have met so many parents online and I worry more about the parents than the kids since it has become a mental strain on them. Sending prayers your way to manage your situation.

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      1. The number has increased and the educational departments and schools are unable to manage. Not a single parent is happy. Just pray there is a light at the end of the long tunnel.

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  7. It may take awhile, but Hawklad will shine. Everything you have told us about him gives me high hopes. After spending years as a personal assistant to people who happen to have unusual difficulties, Hawklad sounds to me like with a little help he will succeed to the best of his abilities. All he needs is a chance… and positive support from his father

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      1. Sounds to me like he whill be good at going through doors by opening them a different way than you or I would.
        Just tonight on the Canadian news was a story about a young man with autism who holds 6 world records of things he can do with a soccer ball, including kicking a ball through a basketball hoop from 25 feet away while facing away from the hoop. He said about himself: “I am not disabled. I am differently abled.” I immediately thought of Hawklad. Hawklad has abilities the rest of us do not have. He needs to find a game show about history. I remember he has an amazing memory about things historical. But no matter what, I believe he will succeed. He just has to find where he belongs.

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  11. When I was Hawklad’s age, there was no autism support at all (unless you consider being institutionalised in a psychiatric hospital “support”). Fortunately I spent my childhood and teenage years below the radar of the medical profession. Now there is some support available, but it’s exclusively for children and youth. I don’t think a 74 year old meets the description of “youth”

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    1. No 74 doesn’t. I keep meaning to do a post about when I did some of the autism assessments Hawklad did to help him through the process. The clinician doing the assessment told me that I came out quite strongly on the spectrum but it didn’t really matter as ‘I was way too old to get any help’…

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  12. Hard to believe that in the UK mental health only seems to be taken seriously up to a certain age. Do they think it disappears after that age?

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      1. Maybe that is the only way how something like this is possible. If someone only thinks a bit about it, they cannot just wipe it away and leave those people alone.

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  13. I cannot imagine the frustration of parents who see themselves and their child abandoned by the system. It’s callous. But Hawklad is clearly very bright and with the anxieties of school behind him and the support of a fantastic dad, I think he will do well. I just wish it didn’t have to be such a battle.

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  16. That is truly sad, scary and frustrating. I’m glad he has you, Gary – and from what you’ve shared about him, I think Hawklad will do well despite the challenges that will lie ahead. You two have got this!

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  17. I am sorry for both you and Hawklad, so frustrating and scary. But I agree with what others have said, I think with the amazing support you give him and with all you say about him, I think he is the kind of person who will climb the mountain and will succeed! He has a lot of us cheering him on! ❤

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