by Peg R

Created on: February 07, 2010   Last Updated: March 21, 2010

This may seem like a long story to get to the point that we need Guardianship to be easier when transitioning a person from a dependent 17 year old to the “age of majority” or 18 years old.  I think you will see the difficulties that arise when you don’t have any control anymore because the kid is 18 years old.  Read on and you will see the drama as it unfolded…

My son Wayne is an 18 year old boy with pervasive developmental delays (autism).  His symptoms have leaned toward the Aspergers side of the spectrum of disorders.  He was diagnosed at age 3 after experiencing severe speech delays.  Wayne born at 23 week gestation is truly a miracle fighting the odds stacked against him.  Born testing positive for barbiturates, amphetamines, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine he has suffered numerous disabilities none of which fall cleanly into any one category or diagnosis.  I like to call this problem PND (Prenatal Neglect Disorder).  Assaulted at birth, he has managed to learn to walk, talk with an extensive vocabulary, pass his high school graduation tests in 11th grade, skateboard like a pro and charm with a smile to beat the band anyone he has come in contact with.  What he can’t do is utterly debilitating. 

As of January 19th, his psychologist stated to me “you are expecting him to make a logical decision.  Wayne is totally unable to utilize logical thinking”.  In his letter also dated January 29th, he states “Wayne often does not consider the consequences of his actions and often has considerable difficulty understanding social expectations of behavior.  Additionally, Wayne will likely need a more structured academic setting in order to be held more accountable to his actions.”  On February 2, his Board Certified Psychiatrist stated “he needs to be institutionalized, but where?”  He further went on in his letter dated February 3, 2010, “All this time he is showing an inability to take care of himself.  He makes impulsive irrational decisions.  This includes leaving home and school, wandering aimlessly in the community and is exposing himself to risk and abuse.  He recently was picked up by the police and when he stated to run in front of traffic had to be tasered. The police were attempting to assist with hospitalization request of his mothers.   I feel he needs adult protective services and he

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