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1948 Evidence-Based Standards: How They Work in Existing Residential Programs for Adults with Autism


Thursday, July 13, 2006: 3:15 PM-4:30 PM
Narragansett Ballroom A (Westin Providence)
There are about twenty five agencies that have highly specialized residential programs for Adults with Autism. During the last five years, these agencies have organized and become known as the National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism (NARPAA). NARPAA studies issues such as training staff, standards, and funding. This presentation will discuss and visually demonstrate the application of standards which were adopted by NARPAA on July 6, 2004. Each standard will be presented by a different agency. The following NARPAA standards for residential programs for adults with autism will be presented by six different autism-specific provider agencies who are members of National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism (NARPAA). Each provider will demonstrate the standard using video clips to exemplify how the standards are practiced in existing day-to-day, working programs.

NARPAA Standards:

I. Funding and Services

• Funding for adult services is individualized and commensurate with the needs of the person. Service providers have specialized training and recognize that adults with autism are life long learners.

II. Individual Rights and Responsibilities

• Adults with autism are offered choices that are meaningful and clear. Service providers teach and support creative, individualized choice-making.

III. Individualized Service Planning

• Service providers facilitate a variety of opportunities and experiences for the adult with autism, enabling the person to make informed choices in the development of their service/support plan.

IV. Community Access and Support

• Service providers teach and support community living skills in the areas of mobility and safety.

• Service providers accompany the adult with autism, as needed, to assure safe access to all areas of the community.

V. Residential Options

• Residential options are tailored to the unique communication, behavioral, socialization, and sensory needs of the person. The adult with autism may require a 1:1 ratio to promote safety and an opportunity for personal development.

VI. Employment

• Service providers will understand the unique learning style of the adult with autism and will develop individualized vocational plans.

• The service provider will work with community employers to develop job accommodations for the adult with autism.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will become aware of autism-specific residential providers in the United States.

2. Participants will gain knowledge of standards for residential treatment.

3. Participants will be given evidence of successful implementation of residential standards.

4. Participants will be given the opportunity to give feedback to the providers.

5. Participants will assist NARPAA to identify action steps for appropriate adult services, especially residential.

Content Area: Transition Planning and Options for Adulthood

Presenters:

Ruth Christ Sullivan, Ph.D.
Founder
Autism Services Center

Ruth Sullivan, Ph.D. is Founder/Executive Director of Autism Services Center in Huntington, WV, founder of National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism and was the first elected president of the Autism Society of America. She has published books, book chapters, articles and for years was a columnist for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. She was a consultant for “Rain Man” and her son, Joseph, an autistic savant, was one of the two major models for the character Raymond. In November 2005, she was appointed to the 32nd Institution on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI).

Mike Smith, M.A.
Director of Vocational Services
Groden Network

Mike Smith has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Personality and Social Psychology. Mike 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 earned collectively in excess of $200,000. Mike has also been a consultant and an instructor in Functional Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports. He currently serves as the chair of NARPAA Standards Committee. In November 2005, he was appointed to the 32nd Institution on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI).

Anna Penn Hundley, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Autism Treatment Center

Anna Penn Hundley has a Masters in Special Education and in Management and Supervision. She is currently Executive Director of the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas and President of National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism. Anna has twenty-five years experience directing programs and services for people with autism. Anna presented an adult model at the National Autism Summit last November in D.C. and at the last ASA Conference. In November 2005, she was appointed to the 32nd Institution on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI). Anna was appointed by the Governor of Texas to the Texas Autism Council.