The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Today communities are faced with the challenge of supporting individuals and their families impacted by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The most current prevalence rate of Autism is reaching epidemic proportions. Current statistics report that one in 68 children (1 in 42 boys) are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. With no known cause or cure, supporting these unique individuals has created a crisis in response and resources for our families, schools and communities. The cost of providing care for a person with autism is $1.4 - $2.4 million over their life span. Individuals on the spectrum are 7 times more likely to come in contact with the law. Less than 17% of these individuals are gainfully employed and only 17% have lived away from their primary caregivers at some point in adulthood. Most families and communities do not have dedicated resources to support these individuals throughout their life.

Much focus has been on children and adolescents who have an ASD. Many states have behavioral and educational supports built for individuals with ASD under the age of 21, including commercial insurance, but what happens to individuals over the age of 21? Schools are no longer responsible for support and education. Families have expressed that they have run out of resources due to the transition to adulthood and having their previous supports disappear overnight. In addition, they are exhausted following years of fighting for those supports and rights of their child with ASD. There are individuals with ASD that possess the capability of living independently and having gainful employment, but due to the lack of minimal support they remain in the care of others and they often are unemployed or underemployed. There also remains the stigma in employing an individual with an ASD. Development of new ideas is key to helping individuals with ASD maximize their potential and opportunity to become active, independent members of their local community. With the increased focus on the needs of individuals over the age of 21 comes the development of this innovative housing concept integrating housing for individuals with an ASD and their typical developing peers. Providing voluntary support for all tenants to access community resources, peer engagement, resume writing, employment identification, budgeting and identification of natural supports is a necessity for success of the project. For our project we will also have a tenant council to support the development of an environment where all residents can socialize in a safe and supportive environment. Services for individuals with an ASD cannot be delivered in system silos, if supportive services are available at all. The key to impactful, long-term success is integration of home and community resources.