Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 6(3), 2012, pp.141-143.
Publisher:
Emerald
...with an overwhelming sense of isolation. At the age of 28 a diagnosis of autism is added to those of dyspraxia and dysphasia. The impact that autism can have on family carers is clearly summarised as a long, arduous, lonely and silent journey that begins long before any recognition comes with diagnosis.
This is a short personal account from the viewpoint of a family carer of a young man with autism. The author describes the stages of development, the milestones of evidence of delayed or different progress and the attitudes of others as his son grows to adulthood. The compartmentalisation of services and the challenges of accessing appropriate support into adulthood are described along with an overwhelming sense of isolation. At the age of 28 a diagnosis of autism is added to those of dyspraxia and dysphasia. The impact that autism can have on family carers is clearly summarised as a long, arduous, lonely and silent journey that begins long before any recognition comes with diagnosis.
Subject terms:
mental health services, needs assessment, social care provision, stereotyped attitudes, stress, user views, adults, autism, carers, case studies, diagnosis, dyspraxia;