Autism Through the Lifespan #5: Caregiving

Autism is characterized by deficits in communication and social skills and rigid, repetitive behaviors. While some have much more mild forms of autism, many will require life-long care. Richard and Kim Antesini’s youngest son is severely autistic and they describe him as aggressive. “He is pretty much home bound because he has attacked us at the Wal-Mart, at the library, so we’re at the point where we can’t really take him out for fear that he would hurt someone else in public,” says Mrs. Antesini. And like many parents of autistic children their sacrifices are not just social, they are also financial and physical. Many parents wonder what happens when their child becomes an adult? What happens when they can no longer care for him or her? What types of future do siblings of autistic adults face? Listen to the fifth installment of DUQ’s nine-part series on autism. Additional installments will follow on 90.5FM WDUQ every day this week during Morning Edition at 6:40am and 8:50am, and on All Things Considered at 4:20pm and 6:20pm. All of the stories will be archived after they air at this link.