At some point the question changes. For years, families worry about the diagnosis, school and the supports of childhood. Then another question appears, one that is harder to put into words: what will adult life look like? Who will decide, who will take care of things, what happens when the family is no longer so close? At the 4th Asperger World Meeting 2026, two Asperger adults from Argentina put that question at the center.
Who Rodolfo Geloso and Gastón Perile are
Rodolfo Geloso and Gastón Javier Perile represent Liga Asperger 7, an Argentine alliance of Asperger adults founded on November 15, 2015 and linked to the Asociación Asperger Argentina. Speaking in the first person, the organization makes visible the challenges and strengths of the community through childhood, adolescence, working life and relationships.
This is not their first time at the Meeting. In 2023 they raised the debate about the future of the diagnosis ahead of the DSM-6, and in 2024 they spoke about mental health and the challenges of adult life. You can read that story in Liga Asperger 7: the adult voice from Argentina and the road to the DSM-6.
Independence and autonomy are not the same
In everyday language the two words are used as synonyms, but they are not. Broadly, independence means doing things on your own: getting around the city, managing money, cooking or handling paperwork. Autonomy is about deciding over your own life: choosing, giving your opinion and making mistakes, even if you still need support with some tasks.
The difference matters. A person may need help with certain tasks and still be the one who decides about their life. And a family can teach many practical skills without leaving room for their son or daughter to make their own decisions.
What they will talk about
In the talk “From family to adult life: building independence and autonomy in Asperger people,” Geloso and Perile will present the goals and activities of Liga Asperger 7 and explain, with examples from their own lives, the differences between independence and autonomy and the paths to reach them. They will speak from where they always have: their own experience as Asperger adults.
Some questions you can bring to the session:
- When is the right time to start preparing for adult life?
- How can you support someone without overprotecting them?
- Which supports are still needed in adulthood, and how do you ask for them?
- How do you make your own decisions when some tasks are still hard?
- What does belonging to an organization of Asperger adults bring?
A special date
The talk comes on the eve of an anniversary: Liga Asperger 7 turns 11 on November 15, the second day of the Meeting.
How to take part
The talk is on Saturday, November 14 at 11:45 a.m. (Colombia time): 10:45 a.m. in Mexico City, 12:45 p.m. in Venezuela, 1:45 p.m. in Argentina and 5:45 p.m. in Madrid. The 4th Asperger World Meeting 2026 is online and completely free. Before the talk you can visit the Liga Asperger 7 stand in the Exhibition Center or their speaker page.
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Frequently asked questions
Who are Rodolfo Geloso and Gastón Perile?
They are Asperger adults who represent Liga Asperger 7, an Argentine alliance of Asperger adults founded on November 15, 2015 and linked to the Asociación Asperger Argentina. They took part in the 2023 and 2024 Meetings.
When is their talk?
On Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 11:45 a.m. Colombia time (1:45 p.m. in Argentina), during the 4th Asperger World Meeting. It is online and free.
What is the difference between independence and autonomy?
Broadly, independence means doing things on your own, and autonomy means deciding over your own life, even if some tasks still need support. Geloso and Perile will explain that difference with examples from their own experience.