A New Jersey mother and daughter celebrated an educational triumph when an 18-year-old autistic student into her dorm at the Manhattan School of Music, where she’s studying musical theatre.
“Social situations are very stressful for her,” said Jones, explaining that her daughter has trouble processing information.talent. She was routinely cast as the lead in her high school’s musicals and in community theater. In 10th grade, she appeared inIn addition to Kate, the 54-year-old mom from Lambertville, N.J., has two boys, ages 16 and 15. They’re also on the autism spectrum, she said.
Early childhood educators repeatedly told her that her children would struggle to succeed in life; she should just “learn to accept that.” When she dropped Kate at college two weeks ago, Jones said she thought back to the naysayers.She made it her mission to enable her daughter to reach her potential.
“Not only is my daughter going to meet her potential — whatever that potential is, and that time I didn’t know what it was going to be. If it meant that she would only get her G.E.D., fine, but she’s going to have options,” Jones vowed at the time. “And when she has options, I’m going to be the proudest parent and I’m going to happily let her go.”
Jones said she initially worried that her daughter would have trouble socializing with other college students. But that’s hardly the case so far. “You know what her communication issue is right now? Forgetting to call me because she’s having so much fun,” Jones said, laughing.