Should parents of Aspergers feel guilty about acting like slave drivers?

Ever felt guilty about expecting too much from your Aspergers child?  Shouldn’t you indulge him because your heart is bursting with sorrow over his plight?  It’s not his fault, so shouldn’t you be the one to adapt?

Not according to the young adults I know who have come to terms with their condition.  They either rejoice in the payoffs from a heavy handed workload imposed on them as children, or wish they had been pushed to learn more as they grew up.  The large percentage of autistics, who stand a good chance of recovery, don’t mind a workload that would drive a neurotypical kid to madness!

I am impressed by the striking similarity between the success stories I’ve heard, and cases I’ve witnessed.

Like emerging butterflies, autistics are struggling for their lives to escape their cocoons.  No amount of effort is too great when stunted growth on the inside is not an acceptable option.  Freedom from social isolation is an essential need, like food and water, and autistics will work, day in and day out, to the point of exhaustion to liberate themselves.  Wouldn’t you do the same?

With or without help, they struggle constantly, accepting any instruction that actually works.  Should a parent feel guilty for acting like a drill sergeant, insisting that an autistic work hard and long hours?  Thus far, I’ve always gotten “no” for an answer.