06/26/2026
I could not agree more.
I would also add that as the caregiver of someone with level 2 Autism and YES, you read that right. JAKE HAS LEVEL 2 AUTISM. I am aware that Jake appears to be much higher functioning than many truly know because he masks a significant part of himself.
In no way am I diminishing the strides he has made, his growth and development since becoming "Barista Jake" there are still a plethora of skills that he does not posses and most likely may never develop or refine.
If you have been here since the beginning and watched him grow up you are well aware of the progress he has made.
But did you know he cannot tie his own shoes? If left to his own devices he will put his clothes on backwards. He often showers and forgets to wash the soap off his body or out of his hair unless I am in the next room shouting reminders. He cannot drive a car. He cannot do basic math beyond simple digit addition and subtraction. Independent living is not on our radar for him. He still lacks spatial awareness and also has no concept of how to whisper. He cannot take his medications without supervision and speaking of medication....if he does not take them HE CANNOT FUNCTION. He has a hair trigger for impulse control and often confuses hot and cold.
The list of things he cannot do as a result of his diagnosis goes on but I tend to not share that part of his story and I focus on the uplifting, encouraging and maybe even more socially acceptable sides - for the public.
The splitting of the diagnosis will allow for each subsect of those with an ASD diagnosis to get the exact services they need. It's not a melting pot condition.
