I have a father who acts very autistic and I have often wonder if he has gone undiagnosed.

I have met folks with Asperger's and the two I have met are very very NICE people who do care about their world, indeed. And then there are folks on here and they also care....so most of the time I like folks with Asperger's. My dad I don't think has ASB--It might be severe PTSD that LOOKS like autism because dad was alive during the Great Depresssion and also went through Korea and then dealt with my mother (God bless her).....................

Back then, anything with the mind was not understood...........

But this post is unhelpful, so let me post something helpful.

It sounds like you need to get support from the community at large. Is there a group that meets in your community about Autism? What about NAMI Family to Family--I dont' know if that would help, even though you know, Autism isn't an m.i., it still might help.

"Joni and Friends" is something that you can google--you can see if they have this organization in your town.

Yes, it sounds like both you and your son need help with getting community support.

Finally, IF the local mental health center is any good and is supportive of children, then I would also use that resource. Also, good and caring LD teachers are also good.

Wow I understand how you feel been there. What I did was to sign my son up with developmental disability agency. they give all kinds of support including restpotate care and camps. there support services give money to help pay. Let me know your city and state and ill find yours for you. every state has them.

My sister is going through the same thing. Since her son was diagnosed all her boyfriend does is drink and sit on the couch and she has no help with the kids. She calls me every single day and tells me the same thing you just said. I feel for you... I hope things get better for you both, anything in the world is worth it if you can help your little angel.

I will completely symphasis with you. I myself have 3 boys who are severely Autistic. Their dad left 6 years ago and I battle on my own. My oldest who is very severe is in a specialist Autistic school, residential, due to a family breakdown and his aggresiveness towards his brthers. I live this life on my own too so i know exactly what you are going throug. Big hugs to you.

To this I can say only one thing: whoever is not of help to me will not be in my personal life.
Only someone who helps and understands would ever have the chance to be in my personal life: everyone else is out.

I have kicked out all kinds of people before they ever made it in, hihihi, including family members. Because what good is it to spend your life with people that do not help?

I empathize with you from a different perspective! My younger brother is 17 and was diagnosed with autism very early in his childhood. I have seen my parents work so hard to give him everything he needs and help him every step of the way. My extended family has not been supportive or helpful for pretty much his entire life, which only drives my parents crazy and upsets them. Help will come your way in such unexpected ways when you need it, and know that there are so many people (like me) who appreciate ALL you do! You're wonderful!

As a parent of an autistic child, we have a perspective that others will never understand. All any parent wants for their child is that they lead a happy, healthy and productive life. You never forget the devastation you feel when you sit in the doctors office and get the diagnosis. Nothing is ever the same again. Now you spend every waking minute trying to find the silver bullet that leads to your childs recovery. Recovery means that your child will grow up and have friends; they will not be bullied or ostracized; they will go to school dances and play in sports; people will not stare at them; they will be able to hold down a job and someday get married and have children of their own. These can be lofty goals for many.

I can see that you are in a very tough position. I am not sure if things have changed much for you since this post was almost a year ago, but there are agencies for children and adult with disabilities and they can provide services to help you. I currently am a respite provider working with a family.. They have a son with autism and sometimes they just need a little time to breathe. I come in about 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of hours which allows them to do get some calm shopping done, take a nap, watch a show, go out to dinner, basically little things in life that may be overlooked.
So that is definitely a way the community could come in handy to you!

I sure understand where you are coming from. I moved in with my girlfriend about a year ago. She has a pre-teen "high-functioning" autistic child. I so very much wanted to love this child as my own, but he makes it impossible. In fact, I don't know how much longer I can stand his self-centered, rude, inconsiderate ways. I love my GF dearly, but the child may end up breaking us up. // I feel for you for your frustration. I watch my girlfriend deal with the stress all the time. I feel so sorry for her. She won't let me help her at all with him, though, so I am powerless. Good luck.

Time for some self-care. You need a break. Even if it is getting up before everyone else and sitting outside. What did you use to do before kids for fun? I say all of this because I understand and I am there. A 6 yo AS son and 4 yo daughter and an avoiding husband that could easily spend the entire day on the computer and get grumpy because we his family are in need of his attention. He is helping more and I think part of it was me standing up for my needs.