The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This session begins with a description of person-centered planning (PCP) approaches and illustrates how an intentional process can be used to assist people to design and build a full life of participation and value in their community. With over 50,000 individuals with ASD aging out of the school system yearly and entering the world of adulthood, this growing number of new adults with ASDs in our community enter the adult services world. The National Longitudinal Transition Study reports that adults with ASD after high school leave: 68% never attended postsecondary education schools, only 6% had competitive jobs and 21% had no employment or education experiences at all, 80% were living with their parents and 70-80% do not participate in ANY community activities. This “poverty of experience” can be addressed though our process.

The disability community and self-advocates have dedicated great effort toward improving these outcomes towards a better Quality of Life. We view Quality of Life as in Dave Pitonyak’s work to help the person:

• Have a greater sense of health and well-being

• Expand and deepen his/her relationships

• Have more fun in ordinary, everyday community places

• Have more power

• Make a contribution to others

• Learn valued skills

Still, segregated lives remain the norm for many adults with disabilities. When people receive services designed solely for those with disabilities, their world and life experience significantly narrows with much of their lives defined by the borders of those programs. Many families want more. However, they are often stymied in moving from the “systems” approach to services (what an organization provides) to a person-centered approach that seeks capacity, is organic and reciprocal.

There is no guide to help families through this process of creating a Quality of Life for their adult family members where, in the words of Al Condeluci, they are connected to their community and have “meaningful lives” with:

• interesting things to do on a daily basis,

• a place to live of their choosing,

• ability to get around and

• freely chosen friends with whom to enjoy activities.

Families often instead see only poor options of segregated supports designed around a deficit model set apart from community having little to do with the family’s or individual’s interests and preferences.

Success stories will be shared that have helped individuals with their families identify goals and build and achieve the life they desire. Concepts from Community Conversations, Social Capital (Al Codeluci), Valued Social Roles (John O’Brien) and Person Centered Design (Beth Mount) are included. This session offers a framework to guide families in developing a Community Life Plan for a Quality Life.

At the end of the session, families will leave with a Community Life Plan model that includes: living options, work, education or volunteer options, leisure activities, social involvement for an inclusive community life. The Possibility of People Program Guide that describes how this process is being implemented in a community in Illinois will be provided to all participants.