ASA's 36th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 13-16, 2005)

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Thursday, July 14, 2005: 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
104
#1213- Adults With Autism: What Does the Future Hold?
The Nations Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism (NARPAA) will present profiles of several adults currently living and working in different residential settings. Standards for adult services will be reviewed and an update on the Train-the Trainer proposal will be given.

Presenters:Ruth C. Sullivan, Autism Services Center, Executive Director, - Ruth Sullivan,PH.D. is Founder/Executive Director of Autism Services Center in Hunington, WV, one of the few agengies in the US to offer comprehensive autism-specific services in a community-integrated setting. She is also the founder of NARPAA. She has been a professional in the field of autism for over 35 years and was the first elected president of the Autism Society of America

Anna P. Hundley, Autism Treatment Center, Executive Director - Anna P. Hundley, M.ED, Executive Director of the Autism Treatment Center and President of NARPAA. Anna has twenty-five years of experience successfully directing programs and services for people with autim. Anna recently planned and conducted a North Texas Autism Summit with US Congressman Pete Sessions.

Mike Smith, Groden Network, Director of Vocational Services - Mike Smith,M. A. is the director of Vocational services for the Groden Network in Providence Rhode Island. The Groden Vocational Program serves 135 people ages 14-40. Individuals in the program are working successfully in over 30 different community settings and earn collectively in excess of $200,000. Mike is chair of the Standards Committee for NARPAA.

 
Families, friends and advocates of adults with Autism will have an opportunity to learn about the National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism (NARPAA). Standards developed by NARPAA for the delivery of services will be presented and discussed. A status report on Train-the Trainer will be presented. This project of national significance proposes a nation wide effort to establish training programs for trainers of direct care staff who work with adults with Autism. Dr. Ruth Sullivan will inform participants of ways and means of making this project a reality.

Adults currently receiving services from agencies such as Benhaven, Eden Family Services, Homestead, Advondale House,Carolina Autism Supported Living Services, The Sean Ashley House, Groden, Grafton and others will be profiled by staff from these agencies. Adults requiring minimum to maximum 24 hour support for success in the community will be described. Providers will discuss these thought provoking questions:

1) Where does the money for services come from?

2) What services are required for each individual?

3) What are the qualifications of the staff?

4) What is similar about the approach to the delivery of services and what is different?

5) What does the future hold for adults with Autism?

Session attendees will be able to dialogue with providers from several different states.

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