I don't know a lot about autism, but let me tell you all what I just learned. One of the nurses that I work with has an autistic son, 17 years old. She has told us since she took the job that she cannot take night call because she has no one to watch her two boys, ages 17 and 12. She can't leave the older autistic son alone with the younger one because he becomes violent with his brother. No one will babysit because he is big, belligerent and become combatives with strangers. He is apparently very, very, (I don't know if the word immature applies here?) lacking in most areas - he's not remotely potty trained, cannot answer or dial a phone, doesn't know how to get himself food from the pantry.
The mother called in with "car trouble" last week. We (some of us, not management) just found out she has been giving this child her car keys to go three miles down the road to the store - alone. This last time he made it back to the house, but ran into the garage and tore off the quarter panel of her car. She lied to the insurance company and did not have to call the police because it was in her yard.
Isn't this the most irresponsible, dangerous thing you've ever heard of? Or am I making something out of nothing? Is it possible that he could be capable of driving to the store and not being able to get food from the pantry? Is it possible he is ok to drive?
Original Post
..... but there are different levels of autism...... there is an autistic boy in my son's Math class who is older than the other kids and also has a drivers license...... so the level of autism would need to be explored by your bosses to see if she is only using his illness as an excuse to not work nights..... if she has a live-in,,,, then sounds like she has someone there with him.....
And it is Monday.