Graduating from High School - wouldn't it be nice if we could graduate from Autism too

I just returned from one of the last meetings at my son's High School. He'll be graduating in June having made the honors or high honors every term since he started. Before the meeting I thought about pulling out the notebook and going through all the notes and questions I might have as I usually did, year after year at these meetings. Then I got a little fed up and said to myself - Why bother?

Many of the things I pointed out and asked for I repeated year after year and was always met with optimism and helpful suggestions ---- and no follow through. I don't know why the school(s) did not seem to understand that an autistic boy might need the actual steps towards making a friend broken down for him and rehearsed and practiced with goals such as approaching a possible friend to initiate a get together.

There were many other goals, amazingly met (as reported by the teachers) and achieved then repeated every year.

I can now say at the end of this high school experience that I am thoroughly disgusted with the school system for not understanding and working diligently with disabled kids that have a social disability. Worse than them not being able to help is the blatant lies and smiles and encouragement they give at every meeting. Did they ever intend to follow through or do they just lie on purpose?

Good luck too all the parents that have autistic kids in high school. I really feel for you. It sucks when our kids are so smart that they meet the educational requirements and the schools think they are doing great. My son could practically reiterate a text book of facts from his head when he was seven.

We need a separation of educational requirements with life skill requirements and they need to be held accountable to work on these with the child. At least if they had separate real goals for life skills their importance would not be lost when the school has met all their educational requirements and are patting themselves on the back.

I know there were a lot of great teachers my son had through the years and it is awesome that he has made it so far especially since they once told me that he may never talk or act like a normal kid. Like any Mom though I want the best for my son, and I know the school system is not doing their best. They are hiding behind red tape and budgets and not honestly do what needs to be done.