Stats everyon here needs to know and think about.

[Guest guest]

I had to do some more research for a project I'm helping with and found these stats...

Dew & Alan, 2007 study showed an unemployment /underemployment rate for adults with autism of greater than 90%.

Then I found this quote...

"The current economic slowdown may well lead to significant cutbacks in services and supports for people with developmental disabilities [ ]. "Overall, the demand for community services is growing rapidly due to aging family caregivers, litigation promoting access to community services, the increasing longevity of persons with developmental disabilities, and the downsizing of public and private institutions. This growing demand is frequently unanticipated by federal, state, and local agencies, resulting in a crisis for families and state and local service delivery systems.â€

L. Braddock, Ph.D., Executive Director

Institute for Cognitive Disabilities

Have any of you checked out what type of provisions are in your area for those families with kids with autism and adults with autism who might become homeless?

I know that in our community there is a 10 year plan to address homelessness but there isn't any provisions for the special needs of those with autism who will likely be joining the ranks as time pushes forward...

Think about the sensory issues, the food issues, social issues involved...even mainstream shelters have not enough beds for the general homeless population. Think about the noisy confusing environment and how that would relate to the needs of many austic individuals.

It takes a good decade to make these sorts of changes that are needed to happen. For now see what you can find out and do in your own communities to get the ball rolling to make sure that even after we parents are gone, there is a safety net in place if the worse were to happen.

www.stlouisadvocacy.com gives more details that really any community needs to look at.