Searching for an Appropriate and Safe Residential Community

• By: Carolann Garafola, MA Mt. Bethel Village
• July 1st, 2013
• adult autism support, caregiver decision-making, employment, housing, independent living, nutrition, Residential housing, safety, safety in housing, sibling caregiving, staffing and support services, transition to adulthood
• 1990    0

As the adult population with ASD grows and their parents age, the primary concerns of the parents or guardians are: Where will my son or daughter live when I am not here? Where can my adult/child live even in a semi-independent community setting? Who will be responsible for managing the over-sight...

Residential Farms Provide Housing and Employment for Adults

• By: Rachel Silverman
• July 1st, 2013
• adult autism housing, employment opportunities, independent living, Medicaid funding, residential farm programs, service shortages, supportive housing programs, transition to adulthood
• 5523    2

The U.S. autism community is facing a “perfect storm.” More adults need services amid economic crisis and budget cuts. Today, about 300,000 adults are living with autism (Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism, n.d.). The total annual cost per adult with autism is roughly $71,000 in 2009...

A Place of Their Own: Residential Services for Soon-to-Be Adults with Autism

• By: Marina Sarris Interactive Autism Network, Kennedy Krieger Institute
• July 1st, 2013
• adult autism services, family caregiving, housing support, independent living, Medicaid waivers, planning, service shortages, transition to adulthood, waiting lists
• 2592    0

An unprecedented number of families will soon watch their children with autism leave school and flood the adult disability system. Up to a half million children with autism will reach adulthood in the next decade, according to estimates.1, 2 These children, the first wave of the so-called...

Doctoral Study Shows Parents are Concerned for Their Adult Child’s Future

• By: Veera Mookerjee, PhD, LMSW South Asian Council for Social Services
• July 1st, 2013
• community inclusion, financial barriers, housing challenges, independent living, parent concerns, planning, research, service gaps, transition to adulthood
• 2431    0

The process of transitioning to adulthood is always difficult for parents; more so when their children have special needs. For parents of young adults with ASD the challenges are manifold, including but not limited to financial problems, social difficulties and long term care and planning. Long...

The Creation of a Model Independent Living Program: The POINT Program of White Plains, NY

• By: Ellen Forrest
• July 1st, 2013
• community integration, disability services, employment, family advocacy, independent living, supported housing, transition to adulthood, vocational support
• 3369    0

One of the most perilous times in the lives of young adults on the spectrum is the transition from the stability and structure of school to lives away from their parents’ homes - lives with as much independence as possible. I know this road well because I am the mother of a young man with an...

Affordable Housing Advocacy: An Approach to Success

• By: Mary K. Meyer, BA ASPEN - NJ Adult Issues North Chapter
• July 1st, 2013
• adults, affordable housing, community integration, disability support services, housing advocacy, independent living, public policy, transition to adulthood
• 1821    0

The question that keeps ASD parents awake at night: “Where will he/she live when I am no longer able to provide a home?” Questions and emotions swirl around whenever housing is the topic of any discussion: “It’s scary.” “It’s complicated.” “There are so many factors to...