Your school or social services may have info on "Transition" that is the key word to look for. Our school district had a "Transition Fair" with some lawyers, care providers/group homes, etc. You can try contacting Easter Seals, they offer autism services nationally.

We live in Arkansas, and to obtain adult guardianship I was told by everyone was really hard. Matthew is verbal and was able to tell the lawyer "I think I need my mom to guide my affairs for awhile longer" she drew up the paperwork Matt signed it and so did the judge. I don't know about other states.

Me too. I am in NJ. And state agency used to help but no more funds. I called a lawyer and was quoted a price of $2000.00 plus! I am doing it myself, just search for guardianship form, do it yourself kit. Pretty self explanatory!NJ has DDD and they have the link along with some pro bono lawyers. Do you have a developmentally disabled govt site similar to that? I am now having problem getting his Docs to to fill out forms because he is somewhat functional. I am just trying to get partial. If he is functional at all, make sure your doctors will fill out forms first. Good luck!

Thanks all for the info. My fear is he is on the high funcitonal side of the spectrum but really cannot do domestics himself, control his anger, does not drive yet and is in fear of it and his socialization is quite limited in groups and peer. He has a very hard time with controlling his anger and I am afraid without any guardianship he will end up jailed in no time . His problemns cannot be tolerated in the society which I understand as I feel his doctors will but need to get on top of things since he turns 18 in Oct. He seems to understand what I am doing it for. and always has gone along with what mom says. I have a very hard time with my husband thru all of this as I have had since hte day of his diagnosis years ago. The support has not been there thru any of it. So I also dont know if I need his signature thru any of these guardianship papers. Thanks you all for lettin me in on the beginning steps to take where to go etc. I need to get on top of things and quickly before it is to alte before I even have a say.

You don't need a lawyer to do the guardianship. It's a simple process. The forms and directions are on the guardianship page for your state. At least they are on my state's.