Re: Adults with autism find services lacking

June 8, 2006

The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very interesting.

Adults with autism find services lacking

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.htmlAdults with autism find services lacking

By CorriganStaff Writer

Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment options have grown into common complaints through the southern Delaware region.

For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further.

Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for his two autistic adult sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town. He found crowded places with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time limits on kitchen and bathroom use.

"I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you wouldn't want to live in yourself," Bowe said.

So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to their jobs and the grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

"They had to live independently," he said, encouraging other parents to prepare for their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part of an effort by the Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with autism, a neurological disorder that impedes development of social and communication skills.

While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until they turn 21, the area lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as needed services, including housing, parents complained.

Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at home with family. The arrangement works now, said his mother.

"I'm not going to live always," Pam -White added.

The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear options. She would like to see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents, supervised by trained staff.

Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her 22-year-old son, . She figures that transitioning him into such a setting would also help him avoid a sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by caring workers.

"Where you know that they're safe," she said. "That would be like glory."

The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has been growing, as those living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from other states and bring disabled children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

The division partners with various private and nonprofit agencies to provide services -- including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with disabilities.

Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special populations program that serves 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people, expects the need for services to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more group homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

"Not that many people over the years have been requesting residential services," Ellis said.

That may change.

"There are clearly more people with autism who are needing services," Ellis said, noting a statewide increase. "Most of those people are still in school."

Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough applicants who meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the state to meet costs, Ellis said.

Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of Education to project the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates, they have presented findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future.

"We're well aware of it," Ellis said of expected rises in the state's autistic adults. "We've been tracking this."

Other concerns

Housing is not the only need.

Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a small pool of available caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for her 42-year-old autistic son, , since 2002.

In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

"My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job," Zistl said. "You exhaust your friends getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real quick."

A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings, since Dinn works weekdays. "Things that she would enjoy doing," Zistl said. "I'd be willing to pay for services."

Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for $2 per trip, Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

"Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late," she said.

The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transportation agencies to provide the same transportation services for disabled people as it does for others.

DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips through the state last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of Transportation.

"It's a great service," Cole said, noting that the buses arrive within a 30-minute reservation window. "Transportation is there, is available, for anyone with any sort of disability."

Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver returned Dinn to her workplace when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have trouble controlling.

While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus rides, they do not qualify as medical aides, Cole said.

"Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner," he said. "We're not capable of providing special needs."

Continuing care

Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to partner in providing services to autistic adults.

With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing first on disabled people who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have been orphaned. While federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure specific care for disabled adults.

"Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement," Ellis said of housing and services for autistic men and women. "Unfortunately, it's not."

That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers at last month's meeting. "It's more bleak than I expected," Dr. Vivian Bush, a foundation board member and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments.

For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs and activities that they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic adults.

But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that formed in 2001, employs two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more than $400,000 annual budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with grants and private donations, to boost housing projects. "There's things that just need to change," she said.

__________________________________________________

June 8, 2006

Just wait for about another five to eight years.....the pinch will

be consuming.

CG

>

> The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very interesting.

>

> Adults with autism find services lacking

>

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html

>

> Adults with autism find services lacking

>

> By Corrigan

> Staff Writer

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

> Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment

options have grown into common complaints through the southern

Delaware region.

> For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further.

> Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for

his two autistic adult sons, he told other parents at a May 23

meeting in town. He found crowded places with little privacy,

members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time limits on

kitchen and bathroom use.

> " I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you

wouldn't want to live in yourself, " Bowe said.

> So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to

their jobs and the grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell

phone.

> " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging other

parents to prepare for their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part

of an effort by the Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area

adults with autism, a neurological disorder that impedes development

of social and communication skills.

> While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until

they turn 21, the area lacks continuing programs, such as

activities, as well as needed services, including housing, parents

complained.

> Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at

home with family. The arrangement works now, said his mother.

> " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear

options. She would like to see Antuan live in a home with a small

group of residents, supervised by trained staff.

> Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her

22-year-old son, . She figures that transitioning him into such

a setting would also help him avoid a sudden switch when she dies. A

comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by caring workers.

> " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That would be

like glory. "

> The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has

been growing, as those living here age and as retirees relocate to

the region from other states and bring disabled children with them,

according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division of

Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of

Health and Social Services.

> The division partners with various private and nonprofit

agencies to provide services -- including housing, employment and

caregivers -- for those with disabilities.

> Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special

populations program that serves 114 people with behavior problems,

mostly autistic people, expects the need for services to rise as a

larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more

group homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> " Not that many people over the years have been requesting

residential services, " Ellis said.

> That may change.

> " There are clearly more people with autism who are needing

services, " Ellis said, noting a statewide increase. " Most of those

people are still in school. "

> Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough

applicants who meet state eligibility requirements and enough money

for the state to meet costs, Ellis said.

> Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of

Education to project the number of graduates in coming years. Along

with advocates, they have presented findings to lawmakers in an

attempt to prepare for the future.

> " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises in the

state's autistic adults. " We've been tracking this. "

> Other concerns

> Housing is not the only need.

> Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a

small pool of available caregivers to hire when they need to work or

travel.

> Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for

her 42-year-old autistic son, , since 2002.

> In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident

Bonnie Zistl has trouble finding aides to watch 21-year-old

Dinn.

> " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl

said. " You exhaust your friends getting them to babysit. They become

not your friends real quick. "

> A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings,

since Dinn works weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, "

Zistl said. " I'd be willing to pay for services. "

> Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

> While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for

$2 per trip, Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late, " she

said.

> The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public

transportation agencies to provide the same transportation services

for disabled people as it does for others.

> DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips

through the state last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware

Department of Transportation.

> " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the buses arrive

within a 30-minute reservation window. " Transportation is there, is

available, for anyone with any sort of disability. "

> Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver

returned Dinn to her workplace when she acted out with behavior that

autistic people have trouble controlling.

> While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus

rides, they do not qualify as medical aides, Cole said.

> " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he

said. " We're not capable of providing special needs. "

> Continuing care

> Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to

partner in providing services to autistic adults.

> With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing

first on disabled people who most need homes, who are poor, who lack

caregivers or have been orphaned. While federal laws mandate

education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure specific

care for disabled adults.

> " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, " Ellis said

of housing and services for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately,

it's not. "

> That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers

at last month's meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr.

Vivian Bush, a foundation board member and psychologist at the

Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments.

> For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs

and activities that they provide for autistic children to

accommodate autistic adults.

> But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that

formed in 2001, employs two workers, is run by an 18-member board

and maintains a more than $400,000 annual budget, plans further

steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with grants and

private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's things that

just need to change, " she said.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

June 8, 2006

Kerbob, it's sad when folks with special needs aren't getting what they need.

I'm no fan of

the neurodiverse movement (in the sense that they're " anti-cure " ), but your

comment

sounds a little insensitive to me.

>

> The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very interesting.

>

> Adults with autism find services lacking

>

> http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html

>

> Adults with autism find services lacking

>

> By Corrigan

> Staff Writer

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

--

>

> Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment options have

grown

into common complaints through the southern Delaware region.

> For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further.

> Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for his two

autistic adult

sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town. He found crowded

places

with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time

limits on

kitchen and bathroom use.

> " I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you wouldn't

want to live in

yourself, " Bowe said.

> So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to their jobs

and the

grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

> " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging other parents to

prepare for

their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part of an effort

by the

Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with autism, a neurological

disorder

that impedes development of social and communication skills.

> While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until they turn 21,

the area

lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as needed services,

including

housing, parents complained.

> Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at home with

family. The

arrangement works now, said his mother.

> " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear options. She would

like to

see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents, supervised by trained

staff.

> Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her 22-year-old

son,

. She figures that transitioning him into such a setting would also help

him avoid a

sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by

caring

workers.

> " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That would be like glory. "

> The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has been growing,

as those

living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from other states and

bring disabled

children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division

of

Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of Health and

Social

Services.

> The division partners with various private and nonprofit agencies to provide

services --

including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with disabilities.

> Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special populations program

that serves

114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people, expects the need for

services

to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more

group

homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> " Not that many people over the years have been requesting residential

services, " Ellis

said.

> That may change.

> " There are clearly more people with autism who are needing services, " Ellis

said, noting

a statewide increase. " Most of those people are still in school. "

> Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough applicants

who

meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the state to meet

costs, Ellis

said.

> Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of Education to

project

the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates, they have

presented

findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future.

> " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises in the state's

autistic adults. " We've

been tracking this. "

> Other concerns

> Housing is not the only need.

> Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a small pool of

available

caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

> Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for her

42-year-old

autistic son, , since 2002.

> In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident Bonnie Zistl has

trouble

finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

> " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl said. " You exhaust

your friends

getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real quick. "

> A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings, since Dinn

works

weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, " Zistl said. " I'd be willing to

pay for

services. "

> Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

> While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for $2 per trip,

Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late, " she said.

> The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transportation

agencies to

provide the same transportation services for disabled people as it does for

others.

> DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips through the

state

last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of Transportation.

> " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the buses arrive within a

30-minute

reservation window. " Transportation is there, is available, for anyone with any

sort of

disability. "

> Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver returned Dinn to

her workplace

when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have trouble controlling.

> While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus rides, they do

not qualify as

medical aides, Cole said.

> " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he said. " We're not

capable of

providing special needs. "

> Continuing care

> Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to partner in

providing

services to autistic adults.

> With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing first on

disabled people

who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have been orphaned.

While

federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure

specific

care for disabled adults.

> " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, " Ellis said of housing

and services

for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately, it's not. "

> That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers at last

month's

meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr. Vivian Bush, a foundation board

member

and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments.

> For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs and

activities that

they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic adults.

> But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that formed in 2001,

employs

two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more than $400,000

annual

budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with

grants and

private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's things that just need to

change, "

she said.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

June 8, 2006

You know what I meant.

Adults with autism find services lacking> > > http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html> > Adults with autism find services lacking> > > By Corrigan> Staff Writer > > ------------------------------------------------------------> > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment options have grown into common complaints through the southern Delaware region. > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further. > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for his two autistic adult sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town. He found crowded places with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time limits on kitchen and bathroom use. > "I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you wouldn't want to live in yourself," Bowe said. > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to their jobs and the grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone. > "They had to live independently," he said, encouraging other parents to prepare for their autistic sons' and daughters' futures. > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part of an effort by the Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with autism, a neurological disorder that impedes development of social and communication skills. > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until they turn 21, the area lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as needed services, including housing, parents complained. > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at home with family. The arrangement works now, said his mother. > "I'm not going to live always," Pam -White added. > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear options. She would like to see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents, supervised by trained staff. > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her 22-year-old son, . She figures that transitioning him into such a setting would also help him avoid a sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by caring workers. > "Where you know that they're safe," she said. "That would be like glory." > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has been growing, as those living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from other states and bring disabled children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. > The division partners with various private and nonprofit agencies to provide services -- including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with disabilities. > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special populations program that serves 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people, expects the need for services to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more group homes for autistic people aren't warranted. > "Not that many people over the years have been requesting residential services," Ellis said. > That may change. > "There are clearly more people with autism who are needing services," Ellis said, noting a statewide increase. "Most of those people are still in school." > Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough applicants who meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the state to meet costs, Ellis said. > Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of Education to project the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates, they have presented findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future. > "We're well aware of it," Ellis said of expected rises in the state's autistic adults. "We've been tracking this." > Other concerns > Housing is not the only need. > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a small pool of available caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel. > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for her 42-year-old autistic son, , since 2002. > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn. > "My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job," Zistl said. "You exhaust your friends getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real quick." > A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings, since Dinn works weekdays. "Things that she would enjoy doing," Zistl said. "I'd be willing to pay for services." > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle. > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for $2 per trip, Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency. > "Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late," she said. > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transportation agencies to provide the same transportation services for disabled people as it does for others. > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips through the state last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of Transportation. > "It's a great service," Cole said, noting that the buses arrive within a 30-minute reservation window. "Transportation is there, is available, for anyone with any sort of disability." > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver returned Dinn to her workplace when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have trouble controlling. > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus rides, they do not qualify as medical aides, Cole said. > "Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner," he said. "We're not capable of providing special needs." > Continuing care > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to partner in providing services to autistic adults. > With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing first on disabled people who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have been orphaned. While federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure specific care for disabled adults. > "Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement," Ellis said of housing and services for autistic men and women. "Unfortunately, it's not." > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers at last month's meeting. "It's more bleak than I expected," Dr. Vivian Bush, a foundation board member and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments. > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs and activities that they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic adults. > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that formed in 2001, employs two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more than $400,000 annual budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with grants and private donations, to boost housing projects. "There's things that just need to change," she said. > > > __________________________________________________>

June 10, 2006

Right on Bob! You were very right - and when you said that about

the ND, I assumed it meant that for those ND groups who don't want

to be cured and want to be left alone to show the world what they

can do, well it seems now they are. But I could be wrong in that

assumption. In the meantime, I agree with you 100% - keep on

fighting dude!

Sally

> >

> > The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very

interesting.

> >

> > Adults with autism find services lacking

> >

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html

> >

> > Adults with autism find services lacking

> >

> > By Corrigan

> > Staff Writer

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> --

> >

> > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid

employment options have grown

> into common complaints through the southern Delaware region.

> > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much

further.

> > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home

for his two autistic adult

> sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in

town. He found crowded places

> with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol

addictions, time limits on

> kitchen and bathroom use.

> > " I don't think they should be forced to live in a place

that you wouldn't want to live in

> yourself, " Bowe said.

> > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can

walk to their jobs and the

> grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

> > " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging

other parents to prepare for

> their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering,

part of an effort by the

> Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with

autism, a neurological disorder

> that impedes development of social and communication skills.

> > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students

until they turn 21, the area

> lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as

needed services, including

> housing, parents complained.

> > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan ,

live at home with family. The

> arrangement works now, said his mother.

> > " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear

options. She would like to

> see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents,

supervised by trained staff.

> > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same

for her 22-year-old son,

> . She figures that transitioning him into such a

setting would also help him avoid a

> sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer

pictures, run by caring

> workers.

> > " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That would

be like glory. "

> > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware

has been growing, as those

> living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from

other states and bring disabled

> children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy

director of the Division of

> Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware

Department of Health and Social

> Services.

> > The division partners with various private and nonprofit

agencies to provide services --

> including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those

with disabilities.

> > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special

populations program that serves

> 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people,

expects the need for services

> to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows

up. But for now, more group

> homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> > " Not that many people over the years have been requesting

residential services, " Ellis

> said.

> > That may change.

> > " There are clearly more people with autism who are needing

services, " Ellis said, noting

> a statewide increase. " Most of those people are still in

school. "

> > Starting more group homes and home care services requires

enough applicants who

> meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the

state to meet costs, Ellis

> said.

> > Division officials have worked with the Delaware

Department of Education to project

> the number of graduates in coming years. Along with

advocates, they have presented

> findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the

future.

> > " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises in

the state's autistic adults. " We've

> been tracking this. "

> > Other concerns

> > Housing is not the only need.

> > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and

a small pool of available

> caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

> > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a

job for her 42-year-old

> autistic son, , since 2002.

> > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident

Bonnie Zistl has trouble

> finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

> > " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl

said. " You exhaust your friends

> getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real

quick. "

> > A community center or gym would help on weekends and

evenings, since Dinn works

> weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, " Zistl

said. " I'd be willing to pay for

> services. "

> > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

> > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service

for $2 per trip,

> Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> > " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late, "

she said.

> > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires

public transportation agencies to

> provide the same transportation services for disabled people

as it does for others.

> > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000

trips through the state

> last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department

of Transportation.

> > " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the buses

arrive within a 30-minute

> reservation window. " Transportation is there, is available,

for anyone with any sort of

> disability. "

> > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver

returned Dinn to her workplace

> when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have

trouble controlling.

> > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus

rides, they do not qualify as

> medical aides, Cole said.

> > " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he

said. " We're not capable of

> providing special needs. "

> > Continuing care

> > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware

to partner in providing

> services to autistic adults.

> > With limited resources, the division must prioritize,

focusing first on disabled people

> who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or

have been orphaned. While

> federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no

such provisions ensure specific

> care for disabled adults.

> > " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, "

Ellis said of housing and services

> for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately, it's not. "

> > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation

organizers at last month's

> meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr. Vivian Bush,

a foundation board member

> and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after

hearing parents' comments.

> > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the

programs and activities that

> they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic

adults.

> > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group

that formed in 2001, employs

> two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a

more than $400,000 annual

> budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal

money, along with grants and

> private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's

things that just need to change, "

> she said.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

June 10, 2006

Sorry but I have to agree. Folks only appear to notice when it

starts to affect there services or pocket books. Well folks better

get ready because our kids aging out into adulthood will need loads

more services than what are being supplied now.

When you consider that 90% of funding that too is provided for

services goes to assist adults now....what will that look like in

five...ten years.

It is indeed a crisis that folks have been telling others about for

quite some time....it's that nobody however is caring to listen.

Additionally for folks seeking to remediate damage, and paying out

of pocket due to lack of insurance coverage, folks need to realize

if they don't pay now that they will later in some way.

Too we on lists of this nature are lucky, though we may not look at

it that way. But we have computers, have a house to borrow from to

get funds for interventions. What about the hundreds of thousand of

families out there that have kids with ASD that can't do what we

can. Sad...but true that our kids are invisable until someone else

feels it financially as a second party or third party.

It's not about doing what's right unfortunately.

Carolyn

> >

> > The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very interesting.

> >

> > Adults with autism find services lacking

> >

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html<h

ttp://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html>

> >

> > Adults with autism find services lacking

> >

> > By Corrigan

> > Staff Writer

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> --

> >

> > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid

employment options have grown

> into common complaints through the southern Delaware region.

> > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much

further.

> > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home

for his two autistic adult

> sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town.

He found crowded places

> with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol

addictions, time limits on

> kitchen and bathroom use.

> > " I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that

you wouldn't want to live in

> yourself, " Bowe said.

> > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can

walk to their jobs and the

> grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

> > " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging other

parents to prepare for

> their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering,

part of an effort by the

> Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with

autism, a neurological disorder

> that impedes development of social and communication skills.

> > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until

they turn 21, the area

> lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as

needed services, including

> housing, parents complained.

> > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live

at home with family. The

> arrangement works now, said his mother.

> > " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear

options. She would like to

> see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents,

supervised by trained staff.

> > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for

her 22-year-old son,

> . She figures that transitioning him into such a setting

would also help him avoid a

> sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer

pictures, run by caring

> workers.

> > " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That would be

like glory. "

> > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware

has been growing, as those

> living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from

other states and bring disabled

> children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy

director of the Division of

> Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware

Department of Health and Social

> Services.

> > The division partners with various private and nonprofit

agencies to provide services --

> including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with

disabilities.

> > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special

populations program that serves

> 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people,

expects the need for services

> to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up.

But for now, more group

> homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> > " Not that many people over the years have been requesting

residential services, " Ellis

> said.

> > That may change.

> > " There are clearly more people with autism who are needing

services, " Ellis said, noting

> a statewide increase. " Most of those people are still in

school. "

> > Starting more group homes and home care services requires

enough applicants who

> meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the

state to meet costs, Ellis

> said.

> > Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department

of Education to project

> the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates,

they have presented

> findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future.

> > " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises in

the state's autistic adults. " We've

> been tracking this. "

> > Other concerns

> > Housing is not the only need.

> > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a

small pool of available

> caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

> > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job

for her 42-year-old

> autistic son, , since 2002.

> > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident

Bonnie Zistl has trouble

> finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

> > " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl

said. " You exhaust your friends

> getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real

quick. "

> > A community center or gym would help on weekends and

evenings, since Dinn works

> weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, " Zistl

said. " I'd be willing to pay for

> services. "

> > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

> > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service

for $2 per trip,

> Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> > " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late, "

she said.

> > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public

transportation agencies to

> provide the same transportation services for disabled people

as it does for others.

> > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000

trips through the state

> last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of

Transportation.

> > " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the buses

arrive within a 30-minute

> reservation window. " Transportation is there, is available,

for anyone with any sort of

> disability. "

> > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver

returned Dinn to her workplace

> when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have

trouble controlling.

> > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus

rides, they do not qualify as

> medical aides, Cole said.

> > " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he

said. " We're not capable of

> providing special needs. "

> > Continuing care

> > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to

partner in providing

> services to autistic adults.

> > With limited resources, the division must prioritize,

focusing first on disabled people

> who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have

been orphaned. While

> federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such

provisions ensure specific

> care for disabled adults.

> > " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, " Ellis

said of housing and services

> for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately, it's not. "

> > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation

organizers at last month's

> meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr. Vivian Bush, a

foundation board member

> and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing

parents' comments.

> > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the

programs and activities that

> they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic

adults.

> > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that

formed in 2001, employs

> two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more

than $400,000 annual

> budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal

money, along with grants and

> private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's things

that just need to change, "

> she said.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

June 10, 2006

Hey didn't mean to agree with the name calling....it may appear like

that. I agree with what Bob is saying and that folks need to wake

up.

Too we need to respect each other on these lists. We are coming

from all different aspects here, name calling ~ especially another

parent, is not appropriate folks. Why do it too? Doesn't make

sense, put that effort into something that will garner a positive

result.

Carolyn

> > >

> > > The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very

interesting.

> > >

> > > Adults with autism find services lacking

> > >

>

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html<h

> ttp://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html>

> > >

> > > Adults with autism find services lacking

> > >

> > > By Corrigan

> > > Staff Writer

> > >

> > ----------------------------------------------------------

> > --

> > >

> > > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid

> employment options have grown

> > into common complaints through the southern Delaware region.

> > > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much

> further.

> > > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home

> for his two autistic adult

> > sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in

town.

> He found crowded places

> > with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol

> addictions, time limits on

> > kitchen and bathroom use.

> > > " I don't think they should be forced to live in a place

that

> you wouldn't want to live in

> > yourself, " Bowe said.

> > > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can

> walk to their jobs and the

> > grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

> > > " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging

other

> parents to prepare for

> > their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> > > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering,

> part of an effort by the

> > Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with

> autism, a neurological disorder

> > that impedes development of social and communication skills.

> > > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students

until

> they turn 21, the area

> > lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as

> needed services, including

> > housing, parents complained.

> > > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan ,

live

> at home with family. The

> > arrangement works now, said his mother.

> > > " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> > > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear

> options. She would like to

> > see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents,

> supervised by trained staff.

> > > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same

for

> her 22-year-old son,

> > . She figures that transitioning him into such a

setting

> would also help him avoid a

> > sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer

> pictures, run by caring

> > workers.

> > > " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That would

be

> like glory. "

> > > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware

> has been growing, as those

> > living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from

> other states and bring disabled

> > children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy

> director of the Division of

> > Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware

> Department of Health and Social

> > Services.

> > > The division partners with various private and nonprofit

> agencies to provide services --

> > including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those

with

> disabilities.

> > > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special

> populations program that serves

> > 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people,

> expects the need for services

> > to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows

up.

> But for now, more group

> > homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> > > " Not that many people over the years have been requesting

> residential services, " Ellis

> > said.

> > > That may change.

> > > " There are clearly more people with autism who are needing

> services, " Ellis said, noting

> > a statewide increase. " Most of those people are still in

> school. "

> > > Starting more group homes and home care services requires

> enough applicants who

> > meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the

> state to meet costs, Ellis

> > said.

> > > Division officials have worked with the Delaware

Department

> of Education to project

> > the number of graduates in coming years. Along with

advocates,

> they have presented

> > findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the

future.

> > > " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises in

> the state's autistic adults. " We've

> > been tracking this. "

> > > Other concerns

> > > Housing is not the only need.

> > > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and

a

> small pool of available

> > caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

> > > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a

job

> for her 42-year-old

> > autistic son, , since 2002.

> > > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident

> Bonnie Zistl has trouble

> > finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

> > > " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl

> said. " You exhaust your friends

> > getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real

> quick. "

> > > A community center or gym would help on weekends and

> evenings, since Dinn works

> > weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, " Zistl

> said. " I'd be willing to pay for

> > services. "

> > > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

> > > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service

> for $2 per trip,

> > Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> > > " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late, "

> she said.

> > > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires

public

> transportation agencies to

> > provide the same transportation services for disabled people

> as it does for others.

> > > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000

> trips through the state

> > last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department

of

> Transportation.

> > > " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the buses

> arrive within a 30-minute

> > reservation window. " Transportation is there, is available,

> for anyone with any sort of

> > disability. "

> > > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver

> returned Dinn to her workplace

> > when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have

> trouble controlling.

> > > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus

> rides, they do not qualify as

> > medical aides, Cole said.

> > > " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he

> said. " We're not capable of

> > providing special needs. "

> > > Continuing care

> > > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware

to

> partner in providing

> > services to autistic adults.

> > > With limited resources, the division must prioritize,

> focusing first on disabled people

> > who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or

have

> been orphaned. While

> > federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no

such

> provisions ensure specific

> > care for disabled adults.

> > > " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, "

Ellis

> said of housing and services

> > for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately, it's not. "

> > > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation

> organizers at last month's

> > meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr. Vivian Bush,

a

> foundation board member

> > and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after

hearing

> parents' comments.

> > > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the

> programs and activities that

> > they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic

> adults.

> > > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group

that

> formed in 2001, employs

> > two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a

more

> than $400,000 annual

> > budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal

> money, along with grants and

> > private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's

things

> that just need to change, "

> > she said.

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

June 11, 2006

We are currently in the process of passing the Family Support

Waiver. This bill would support families of adult children with

disabilities. It would allow families to decide how to best care

for their adult children and financially support them versus putting

them in group home in pre-existing programs for services they may

not need. This bill would support families and let them make

decisions for their adult decision. I can understand your

frustration with your state for not passing the a bill which would

allow matching federal funds, but we're still working on it.

:

We have this in NY State and we are one of a handful of families who

part of the pilot program. It's now in its 2nd year and I have to

say without a doubt it will make my son more successful. He will

have his " own group home " on a street where we live that will be

paid for by NY. This house was just built by my FIL and is deeded to

my son through a special needs trust. He will not have to live with

others and on their schedule. He has massage therapy, music

therapy, archery, camp, res hab and respite (whom I hired at 15.00

an hour), as well as car leased to him to have him driven around and

a cell phone. I am in the process of becoming a start up broker

for the families with autism in this area, as I am President of our

local ASA chapter.

This is the way to go for anyone who is an adult or will be in the

next few years.

Sally

> >

> > The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very

interesting.

> >

> > Adults with autism find services

lacking

> >

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html<h

ttp://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html>

> >

> > Adults with autism find services lacking

> >

> > By Corrigan

> > Staff Writer

> >

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> --

> >

> > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid

employment options have grown

> into common complaints through the southern Delaware

region.

> > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much

further.

> > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group

home for his two autistic adult

> sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in

town. He found crowded places

> with little privacy, members suffering from drug and

alcohol addictions, time limits on

> kitchen and bathroom use.

> > " I don't think they should be forced to live in a place

that you wouldn't want to live in

> yourself, " Bowe said.

> > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can

walk to their jobs and the

> grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

> > " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging

other parents to prepare for

> their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the

gathering, part of an effort by the

> Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with

autism, a neurological disorder

> that impedes development of social and communication

skills.

> > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students

until they turn 21, the area

> lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as

needed services, including

> housing, parents complained.

> > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan ,

live at home with family. The

> arrangement works now, said his mother.

> > " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to

hear options. She would like to

> see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents,

supervised by trained staff.

> > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same

for her 22-year-old son,

> . She figures that transitioning him into such a

setting would also help him avoid a

> sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home,

Barnheimer pictures, run by caring

> workers.

> > " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That

would be like glory. "

> > The population of adults with disabilities across

Delaware has been growing, as those

> living here age and as retirees relocate to the region

from other states and bring disabled

> children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy

director of the Division of

> Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware

Department of Health and Social

> Services.

> > The division partners with various private and nonprofit

agencies to provide services --

> including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those

with disabilities.

> > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special

populations program that serves

> 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people,

expects the need for services

> to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows

up. But for now, more group

> homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> > " Not that many people over the years have been

requesting residential services, " Ellis

> said.

> > That may change.

> > " There are clearly more people with autism who are

needing services, " Ellis said, noting

> a statewide increase. " Most of those people are still in

school. "

> > Starting more group homes and home care services

requires enough applicants who

> meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for

the state to meet costs, Ellis

> said.

> > Division officials have worked with the Delaware

Department of Education to project

> the number of graduates in coming years. Along with

advocates, they have presented

> findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the

future.

> > " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises

in the state's autistic adults. " We've

> been tracking this. "

> > Other concerns

> > Housing is not the only need.

> > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options

and a small pool of available

> caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

> > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a

job for her 42-year-old

> autistic son, , since 2002.

> > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes

resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble

> finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

> > " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl

said. " You exhaust your friends

> getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real

quick. "

> > A community center or gym would help on weekends and

evenings, since Dinn works

> weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, " Zistl

said. " I'd be willing to pay for

> services. "

> > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle.

> > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door

service for $2 per trip,

> Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> > " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always

late, " she said.

> > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires

public transportation agencies to

> provide the same transportation services for disabled

people as it does for others.

> > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed

900,000 trips through the state

> last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware

Department of Transportation.

> > " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the buses

arrive within a 30-minute

> reservation window. " Transportation is there, is

available, for anyone with any sort of

> disability. "

> > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver

returned Dinn to her workplace

> when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have

trouble controlling.

> > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on

bus rides, they do not qualify as

> medical aides, Cole said.

> > " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he

said. " We're not capable of

> providing special needs. "

> > Continuing care

> > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to

Delaware to partner in providing

> services to autistic adults.

> > With limited resources, the division must prioritize,

focusing first on disabled people

> who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or

have been orphaned. While

> federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no

such provisions ensure specific

> care for disabled adults.

> > " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, "

Ellis said of housing and services

> for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately, it's not. "

> > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation

organizers at last month's

> meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr. Vivian

Bush, a foundation board member

> and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after

hearing parents' comments.

> > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the

programs and activities that

> they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic

adults.

> > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group

that formed in 2001, employs

> two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a

more than $400,000 annual

> budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and

federal money, along with grants and

> private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's

things that just need to change, "

> she said.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

June 11, 2006

Yes is pretty much based on a self-determination model via Person

Centered Planning. Don't most states have this already via their

Medicaid supports for adults? I thought most states do.

We actually have this now for our son in MI. He is self-determined

at fourteen but I'm the employer via a voucher system and the

Children's Medicaid Waiver program in our state. We also contract

with providers as well for Speech/OT, Music/Art, Massage Therapy,

Rec. Therapy, etc. Took loads of work to get this done and it's not

even consistent from county to county. The hardest part though is

finding the time to do. I don't get paid to do this...so I call it

the " sucker " waiver due to the work load, but our son still gets

what he needs. The other problem, getting folks to accept the

Medicaid fees. How do you get around that Sally?

But it is something that is good to fight for and obtain.

Especially entering your child into the system of services prior to

adulthood. Very important to do so.

Sally I'm wondering too, who paid for your son's home? Did you get

any funding via the New Freedom Initiative programs? We are looking

into this now even though our son is only fourteen. That and his

Micro-board and Micro-enterprise.

Never stops folks but I'm hoping by the time our son is eighteen

he'll be all set up to direct his own life.

Carolyn

> > >

> > > The neurodiverse are feeling the pinch, eh? Very

> interesting.

> > >

> > > Adults with autism find services

> lacking

> > >

>

http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html<h

> ttp://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html>

> > >

> > > Adults with autism find services lacking

> > >

> > > By Corrigan

> > > Staff Writer

> > >

> > ---------------------------------------------------------

-

> > --

> > >

> > > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid

> employment options have grown

> > into common complaints through the southern Delaware

> region.

> > > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much

> further.

> > > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group

> home for his two autistic adult

> > sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in

> town. He found crowded places

> > with little privacy, members suffering from drug and

> alcohol addictions, time limits on

> > kitchen and bathroom use.

> > > " I don't think they should be forced to live in a

place

> that you wouldn't want to live in

> > yourself, " Bowe said.

> > > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and

can

> walk to their jobs and the

> > grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone.

> > > " They had to live independently, " he said, encouraging

> other parents to prepare for

> > their autistic sons' and daughters' futures.

> > > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the

> gathering, part of an effort by the

> > Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with

> autism, a neurological disorder

> > that impedes development of social and communication

> skills.

> > > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students

> until they turn 21, the area

> > lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well

as

> needed services, including

> > housing, parents complained.

> > > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan

,

> live at home with family. The

> > arrangement works now, said his mother.

> > > " I'm not going to live always, " Pam -White added.

> > > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to

> hear options. She would like to

> > see Antuan live in a home with a small group of

residents,

> supervised by trained staff.

> > > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the

same

> for her 22-year-old son,

> > . She figures that transitioning him into such a

> setting would also help him avoid a

> > sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home,

> Barnheimer pictures, run by caring

> > workers.

> > > " Where you know that they're safe, " she said. " That

> would be like glory. "

> > > The population of adults with disabilities across

> Delaware has been growing, as those

> > living here age and as retirees relocate to the region

> from other states and bring disabled

> > children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy

> director of the Division of

> > Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware

> Department of Health and Social

> > Services.

> > > The division partners with various private and

nonprofit

> agencies to provide services --

> > including housing, employment and caregivers -- for

those

> with disabilities.

> > > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special

> populations program that serves

> > 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic

people,

> expects the need for services

> > to rise as a larger population of autistic students

grows

> up. But for now, more group

> > homes for autistic people aren't warranted.

> > > " Not that many people over the years have been

> requesting residential services, " Ellis

> > said.

> > > That may change.

> > > " There are clearly more people with autism who are

> needing services, " Ellis said, noting

> > a statewide increase. " Most of those people are still in

> school. "

> > > Starting more group homes and home care services

> requires enough applicants who

> > meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for

> the state to meet costs, Ellis

> > said.

> > > Division officials have worked with the Delaware

> Department of Education to project

> > the number of graduates in coming years. Along with

> advocates, they have presented

> > findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the

> future.

> > > " We're well aware of it, " Ellis said of expected rises

> in the state's autistic adults. " We've

> > been tracking this. "

> > > Other concerns

> > > Housing is not the only need.

> > > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options

> and a small pool of available

> > caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel.

> > > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for

a

> job for her 42-year-old

> > autistic son, , since 2002.

> > > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes

> resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble

> > finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn.

> > > " My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job, " Zistl

> said. " You exhaust your friends

> > getting them to babysit. They become not your friends

real

> quick. "

> > > A community center or gym would help on weekends and

> evenings, since Dinn works

> > weekdays. " Things that she would enjoy doing, " Zistl

> said. " I'd be willing to pay for

> > services. "

> > > Getting around the rural region presents another

hurdle.

> > > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door

> service for $2 per trip,

> > Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency.

> > > " Half the time, they don't show up, they're always

> late, " she said.

> > > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires

> public transportation agencies to

> > provide the same transportation services for disabled

> people as it does for others.

> > > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed

> 900,000 trips through the state

> > last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware

> Department of Transportation.

> > > " It's a great service, " Cole said, noting that the

buses

> arrive within a 30-minute

> > reservation window. " Transportation is there, is

> available, for anyone with any sort of

> > disability. "

> > > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a

driver

> returned Dinn to her workplace

> > when she acted out with behavior that autistic people

have

> trouble controlling.

> > > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on

> bus rides, they do not qualify as

> > medical aides, Cole said.

> > > " Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner, " he

> said. " We're not capable of

> > providing special needs. "

> > > Continuing care

> > > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to

> Delaware to partner in providing

> > services to autistic adults.

> > > With limited resources, the division must prioritize,

> focusing first on disabled people

> > who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers

or

> have been orphaned. While

> > federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no

> such provisions ensure specific

> > care for disabled adults.

> > > " Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement, "

> Ellis said of housing and services

> > for autistic men and women. " Unfortunately, it's not. "

> > > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation

> organizers at last month's

> > meeting. " It's more bleak than I expected, " Dr. Vivian

> Bush, a foundation board member

> > and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after

> hearing parents' comments.

> > > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding

the

> programs and activities that

> > they provide for autistic children to accommodate

autistic

> adults.

> > > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group

> that formed in 2001, employs

> > two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains

a

> more than $400,000 annual

> > budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and

> federal money, along with grants and

> > private donations, to boost housing projects. " There's

> things that just need to change, "

> > she said.

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

June 13, 2006

As you can probably tell, your comment hit a nerve with me. I have no tolerance for intolerance. The article was indeed sobering, from Delaware, my home state which my wife and myself, among others are lobbying the state for a Family Support waiver for adult children with special needs.

My emotions got the best of me and I should not have not resorted to name calling. For that I take responsibility and apologize.

I found your comment outrageousl and I am glad I called you on the carpet. The article and your comment speak for themselves. Neurodiverse - any one over 21 ( before the epidemic hit) are feeling the pinch - eh? interesting - sounds real sympathetic!

The sad fact is you can not take responsibility for this outrageous statement. You have in your attached response - " I make no apologies for that fact I quickly responded with a keen observation that times are beginning to become harder for all autistic people 'etc.

Come on - you think we fell off the turnip truck - thank God for your keen observation! - I could not readily tell from the article times were harder. Thanks for your keen observation to point that out - the board thanks you

Than you go on with academic mumbo jumbo- Nureodiversity is not a divisive term, but rather on essence one cleverly employed to delineate a hard tack in position. My usage of the term might seem objectionable, but in reality it was only an attempt to distinquish reality ?

Say what ? I don’t think anyone on this board can figure out what that means other than it is pseudo intellectual mumbo jumbo and you are trying to cover your tracks for making a highly insensetive statement.

The simple fact is you are referring to a group where the autism rate was one in 10,000 - not your own little realm.

WE live in a politically correct world where my comments I used about you are deemed highly objectionable. What's far more dangerous and objectionable is comments like you made and then trying to cloak it in academic mumbo jumbo.

The one I thing I find dissapointing is the 'balkanization' of autism. You have a pretty good track record of that. You find the PSA Autism Speaks totally useless, 'how can this help me or my familiy'. You then make a shameful sarcastic comment about the plight of adults with autism - the nuerodiverse crowd

We are bothers in arms in this autism fight. Our common interests are greater than our differences. There is most likely multiple causes of autism - one which I believe like you is mercury.

Anyone moving that autism train along is fine with me - more awareness, funding research etc - a good thing

Hopefully you will see that one day.

Pete

Adults with autism find services lacking> > > http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html> > Adults with autism find services lacking> > > By Corrigan> Staff Writer > > ------------------------------------------------------------> > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment options have grown into common complaints through the southern Delaware region. > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further. > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for his two autistic adult sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town. He found crowded places with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time limits on kitchen and bathroom use. > "I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you wouldn't want to live in yourself," Bowe said. > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to their jobs and the grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone. > "They had to live independently," he said, encouraging other parents to prepare for their autistic sons' and daughters' futures. > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part of an effort by the Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with autism, a neurological disorder that impedes development of social and communication skills. > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until they turn 21, the area lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as needed services, including housing, parents complained. > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at home with family. The arrangement works now, said his mother. > "I'm not going to live always," Pam -White added. > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear options. She would like to see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents, supervised by trained staff. > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her 22-year-old son, . She figures that transitioning him into such a setting would also help him avoid a sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by caring workers. > "Where you know that they're safe," she said. "That would be like glory." > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has been growing, as those living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from other states and bring disabled children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. > The division partners with various private and nonprofit agencies to provide services -- including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with disabilities. > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special populations program that serves 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people, expects the need for services to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more group homes for autistic people aren't warranted. > "Not that many people over the years have been requesting residential services," Ellis said. > That may change. > "There are clearly more people with autism who are needing services," Ellis said, noting a statewide increase. "Most of those people are still in school." > Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough applicants who meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the state to meet costs, Ellis said. > Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of Education to project the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates, they have presented findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future. > "We're well aware of it," Ellis said of expected rises in the state's autistic adults. "We've been tracking this." > Other concerns > Housing is not the only need. > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a small pool of available caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel. > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for her 42-year-old autistic son, , since 2002. > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn. > "My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job," Zistl said. "You exhaust your friends getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real quick." > A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings, since Dinn works weekdays. "Things that she would enjoy doing," Zistl said. "I'd be willing to pay for services." > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle. > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for $2 per trip, Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency. > "Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late," she said. > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transportation agencies to provide the same transportation services for disabled people as it does for others. > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips through the state last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of Transportation. > "It's a great service," Cole said, noting that the buses arrive within a 30-minute reservation window. "Transportation is there, is available, for anyone with any sort of disability." > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver returned Dinn to her workplace when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have trouble controlling. > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus rides, they do not qualify as medical aides, Cole said. > "Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner," he said. "We're not capable of providing special needs." > Continuing care > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to partner in providing services to autistic adults. > With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing first on disabled people who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have been orphaned. While federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure specific care for disabled adults. > "Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement," Ellis said of housing and services for autistic men and women. "Unfortunately, it's not." > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers at last month's meeting. "It's more bleak than I expected," Dr. Vivian Bush, a foundation board member and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments. > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs and activities that they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic adults. > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that formed in 2001, employs two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more than $400,000 annual budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with grants and private donations, to boost housing projects. "There's things that just need to change," she said. > > > __________________________________________________>

June 13, 2006

Er-

"I have no tolerance for intolerance"

Isn't that intolerant?

Just asking.

I think it would be helpful for everyone to lighten up.

Or at least have a glass of red wine!

Adults with autism find services lacking> > > http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html> > Adults with autism find services lacking> > > By Corrigan> Staff Writer > > ------------------------------------------------------------> > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment options have grown into common complaints through the southern Delaware region. > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further. > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for his two autistic adult sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town. He found crowded places with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time limits on kitchen and bathroom use. > "I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you wouldn't want to live in yourself," Bowe said. > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to their jobs and the grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone. > "They had to live independently," he said, encouraging other parents to prepare for their autistic sons' and daughters' futures. > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part of an effort by the Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with autism, a neurological disorder that impedes development of social and communication skills. > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until they turn 21, the area lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as needed services, including housing, parents complained. > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at home with family. The arrangement works now, said his mother. > "I'm not going to live always," Pam -White added. > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear options. She would like to see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents, supervised by trained staff. > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her 22-year-old son, . She figures that transitioning him into such a setting would also help him avoid a sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by caring workers. > "Where you know that they're safe," she said. "That would be like glory." > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has been growing, as those living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from other states and bring disabled children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. > The division partners with various private and nonprofit agencies to provide services -- including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with disabilities. > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special populations program that serves 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people, expects the need for services to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more group homes for autistic people aren't warranted. > "Not that many people over the years have been requesting residential services," Ellis said. > That may change. > "There are clearly more people with autism who are needing services," Ellis said, noting a statewide increase. "Most of those people are still in school." > Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough applicants who meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the state to meet costs, Ellis said. > Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of Education to project the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates, they have presented findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future. > "We're well aware of it," Ellis said of expected rises in the state's autistic adults. "We've been tracking this." > Other concerns > Housing is not the only need. > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a small pool of available caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel. > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for her 42-year-old autistic son, , since 2002. > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn. > "My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job," Zistl said. "You exhaust your friends getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real quick." > A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings, since Dinn works weekdays. "Things that she would enjoy doing," Zistl said. "I'd be willing to pay for services." > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle. > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for $2 per trip, Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency. > "Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late," she said. > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transportation agencies to provide the same transportation services for disabled people as it does for others. > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips through the state last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of Transportation. > "It's a great service," Cole said, noting that the buses arrive within a 30-minute reservation window. "Transportation is there, is available, for anyone with any sort of disability." > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver returned Dinn to her workplace when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have trouble controlling. > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus rides, they do not qualify as medical aides, Cole said. > "Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner," he said. "We're not capable of providing special needs." > Continuing care > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to partner in providing services to autistic adults. > With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing first on disabled people who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have been orphaned. While federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure specific care for disabled adults. > "Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement," Ellis said of housing and services for autistic men and women. "Unfortunately, it's not." > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers at last month's meeting. "It's more bleak than I expected," Dr. Vivian Bush, a foundation board member and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments. > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs and activities that they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic adults. > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that formed in 2001, employs two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more than $400,000 annual budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with grants and private donations, to boost housing projects. "There's things that just need to change," she said. > > > __________________________________________________>

June 13, 2006

Sally,

I'm glad to hear of a program that is working successfully. I really believe that hard-work and common sense are primary ingredients in creating or continuing a project. Thanks so much for your input.

Adults with autism find services lacking> > > > > > http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html<http://www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060607/2292831.html>> > > > Adults with autism find services lacking> > > > > > By Corrigan> > Staff Writer > > > > > ----------------------------------------------------------> --> > > > Inadequate housing, public transportation and solid employment options have grown > into common complaints through the southern Delaware region. > > For those with autism, though, the options narrow much further. > > Millsboro resident Theodis Bowe searched for a group home for his two autistic adult > sons, he told other parents at a May 23 meeting in town. He found crowded places > with little privacy, members suffering from drug and alcohol addictions, time limits on > kitchen and bathroom use. > > "I don't think they should be forced to live in a place that you wouldn't want to live in > yourself," Bowe said. > > So he rented an apartment for them. Tony and can walk to their jobs and the > grocery store. Bowe visits and checks in by cell phone. > > "They had to live independently," he said, encouraging other parents to prepare for > their autistic sons' and daughters' futures. > > The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation hosted the gathering, part of an effort by the > Lewes nonprofit to target the needs of area adults with autism, a neurological disorder > that impedes development of social and communication skills. > > While the Sussex Consortium educates autistic students until they turn 21, the area > lacks continuing programs, such as activities, as well as needed services, including > housing, parents complained. > > Some autistic adults, such as 24-year-old Antuan , live at home with family. The > arrangement works now, said his mother. > > "I'm not going to live always," Pam -White added. > > The Bridgeville resident showed up at the meeting to hear options. She would like to > see Antuan live in a home with a small group of residents, supervised by trained staff. > > Rehoboth Beach resident Terry Barnheimer wants the same for her 22-year-old son, > . She figures that transitioning him into such a setting would also help him avoid a > sudden switch when she dies. A comfortable home, Barnheimer pictures, run by caring > workers. > > "Where you know that they're safe," she said. "That would be like glory." > > The population of adults with disabilities across Delaware has been growing, as those > living here age and as retirees relocate to the region from other states and bring disabled > children with them, according to Roy Lafontaine, deputy director of the Division of > Developmental Disabilities Services, part of Delaware Department of Health and Social > Services. > > The division partners with various private and nonprofit agencies to provide services -- > including housing, employment and caregivers -- for those with disabilities. > > Warren Ellis, director of the division's adult special populations program that serves > 114 people with behavior problems, mostly autistic people, expects the need for services > to rise as a larger population of autistic students grows up. But for now, more group > homes for autistic people aren't warranted. > > "Not that many people over the years have been requesting residential services," Ellis > said. > > That may change. > > "There are clearly more people with autism who are needing services," Ellis said, noting > a statewide increase. "Most of those people are still in school." > > Starting more group homes and home care services requires enough applicants who > meet state eligibility requirements and enough money for the state to meet costs, Ellis > said. > > Division officials have worked with the Delaware Department of Education to project > the number of graduates in coming years. Along with advocates, they have presented > findings to lawmakers in an attempt to prepare for the future. > > "We're well aware of it," Ellis said of expected rises in the state's autistic adults. "We've > been tracking this." > > Other concerns > > Housing is not the only need. > > Parents complained of a lack of transportation options and a small pool of available > caregivers to hire when they need to work or travel. > > Laurel resident Dorothy has been looking for a job for her 42-year-old > autistic son, , since 2002. > > In caring for a friend's autistic daughter, Lewes resident Bonnie Zistl has trouble > finding aides to watch 21-year-old Dinn. > > "My biggest dilemma is, I work a full-time job," Zistl said. "You exhaust your friends > getting them to babysit. They become not your friends real quick." > > A community center or gym would help on weekends and evenings, since Dinn works > weekdays. "Things that she would enjoy doing," Zistl said. "I'd be willing to pay for > services." > > Getting around the rural region presents another hurdle. > > While Delaware Transit Corp. provides door-to-door service for $2 per trip, > Barnheimer refuses to rely on the state agency. > > "Half the time, they don't show up, they're always late," she said. > > The federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transportation agencies to > provide the same transportation services for disabled people as it does for others. > > DART's 52 buses for paratransit services completed 900,000 trips through the state > last year, according to Darrel Cole, of Delaware Department of Transportation. > > "It's a great service," Cole said, noting that the buses arrive within a 30-minute > reservation window. "Transportation is there, is available, for anyone with any sort of > disability." > > Zistl also refuses to rely on the agency, after a driver returned Dinn to her workplace > when she acted out with behavior that autistic people have trouble controlling. > > While drivers train to help those with disabilities on bus rides, they do not qualify as > medical aides, Cole said. > > "Our role is to transport folks in a safe manner," he said. "We're not capable of > providing special needs." > > Continuing care > > Ellis' division aims to attract more agencies to Delaware to partner in providing > services to autistic adults. > > With limited resources, the division must prioritize, focusing first on disabled people > who most need homes, who are poor, who lack caregivers or have been orphaned. While > federal laws mandate education for disabled children, no such provisions ensure specific > care for disabled adults. > > "Many parents feel that it should be an entitlement," Ellis said of housing and services > for autistic men and women. "Unfortunately, it's not." > > That became clear to Lower Delaware Autism Foundation organizers at last month's > meeting. "It's more bleak than I expected," Dr. Vivian Bush, a foundation board member > and psychologist at the Sussex Consortium, said after hearing parents' comments. > > For now, foundation leaders will consider expanding the programs and activities that > they provide for autistic children to accommodate autistic adults. > > But Charlotte Herbert, executive director of the group that formed in 2001, employs > two workers, is run by an 18-member board and maintains a more than $400,000 annual > budget, plans further steps. She will seek state and federal money, along with grants and > private donations, to boost housing projects. "There's things that just need to change," > she said. > > > > > > __________________________________________________> >

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