My oldest son is a 2E Aspie. We enrolled him in community college in a special 2E program. He ignored the counseling, the activities and the classes. At the end of the semester, we pulled him out. The following school year, we enrolled him at a different community college without the disability program. He wanted to study photography and get a certificate. He did great in his photo classes and in archery and in meteorology. He barely passed German. He dropped English without telling us. At the end of the year, he had 14 credits. I told him he could continue and earn the certificate but he refused to accept that he had to take English classes. The Aspie in him made him decide that English comp and lit had no relevancy to photography and he didn’t have to take those classes. I refused to send him back.
He worked at menial jobs, mostly delivering for restaurants. When he was 25, I sent him a long text informing him that he would be off my health insurance in one year and advising him to plan for the future. He got himself a job at a store like Best Buy (but not BB) and was doing great. H and I were amazed that he was winning sales contests, especially since he was a cashier and not a salesperson (he was selling warranties at the register). However, they didn’t offer him a full-time position and he was getting closer to 26.
Six months before his birthday, he decided on his own to take the test to be a postal carrier. He has been working at USPS since April, has health insurance and is in the union.
He is now talking about going back to school. Our state system has a special program for “older” students which awards life credits and is fairly one on one, with on line options. The tuition is the same as regular state schools.
When he was in middle school, he talked about going to Stanford. He is smart enough to do anything but he is not capable of getting out of his own way, in essence.
OTOH, he is fairly well socialized. He has friends, a long term gf, he seems to get along with co-workers. His former boss at the restaurant just gave us a gigantic Thanksgiving Day platter for less than half price, for my son! His customers along his route seem to like him; they always give him water and food, one lady makes sure he has sunscreen on as he is extremely blonde and green eyed.
Is he where I dreamed he’d be? No. Is he a productive member of society? On his way, maybe. Is he a good natured, good hearted loyal person whom I am proud to call my son. YES.
He’s 26 now and he’s a good, honest, hard working young man.
If he can do it, there’s hope for many other young people.