Theres been a lot of buzz recently on several support groups about developing an Ideal Center for Autism-- My take is that the population is exploding and quite frankly people are begining to realize that they might be fighting with the school districts to get services NOW, but the REAL REALITY is that our kids will far outlive the services provided by the schools and Regional Centers for the most part are big machines that do everything they can to NOT give you services. Ultimately they are certainly not going to be very instrumental in providing most specifically for Autism--- Hence we have to Dream it, Imagine it, Create it, Champion it and Build it.
With that I am reposting my intital outline of my dream for "A Center for Autism" coupled with and addendum about the Center-- I hope it will touch new people and find more people interested in making it a reality.
THE VISION FOR A CENTER
SERVING
AUTISM AND P.D.D.SPECTRUM
[PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS]
PURPOSE: TO PROVIDE A “ONE STOP SHOP”
FOR AUTISM
THE VISION IS TO PROVIDE OR ADDRESS EVERY ASPECT OF LIVING WITH AUTISM ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
THIS WILL BE INCLUSIVE OF PARENT AND SIBLINGS SUPPORT, ACADEMIC AND LEARNING ENVIROMENTS, THERAPIES, COMMUNITY BLENDING,
JOB TRAINING, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DAILY LIVING SKILLS.
THE FACILITY: SHOULD HOUSE THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS. THERE IS A NEED FOR A COMPUTER LAB, LIBRARY, MUSIC ROOM, SCREENING ROOM/THEATER, ART ROOM, KITCHEN, GYM, YARD AND GARDEN AREA, WITH HOPE OF A POOL AND SPECIALIZED PERSONAL NEEDS ACCOMODATIONS. ABOVE ALLTHE FACILITY SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR PARENT AND SIB SUPPORT AND SPECIALIZED CLASSROOM AREAS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL.
THE EXECUTION: THE VISION IS TO STYLIZE EACH PROGRAM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.JUST AS WE REQUIRE THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER AGENCIES TO ADOPT
INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS SO WILL THE CENTER.EACH FAMILY WILL DECIDE WHAT INVOLVEMENT AND TO WHAT EXTENT THEY PARTICIPATE. WHETHER IT BE ONLY FOR SUPPORT OR RECREATIONAL OR FULL SERVICE INCLUDING SCHOOL AND LIVING SKILLS.
THE MANPOWER: THERE WILL BE A GREAT NEED FOR CREDENTIALED STAFF AS WELL AS PROFESSIONALS IN MANY AREAS. THE HOPE IS TO GENERATE THE CENTER ON AN EMPHASIS OF VOLUNTEERS AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.
THE FUNDING: IT WILL BE IMPERATIVE TO SECURE FUNDING THROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER AGENCIES TO SUSTAIN OUR EXISTANCE BUT IT WILL BE OUR HOPE THAT PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT AND COMMITMENT WILL ALLOW US TO THRIVE.
WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A FOUNDATION OR ORGANIZATION AS NOT FOR PROFIT AND EXPLORE ANY AND ALL OPPORTUNITIES TO GET SPONSERS AND HAVE FUNDRAISING CAPABILITY.
THE BIGGEST HURDLE IS TO FIND A PLACE AND GET STARTED AND MOLD THE CENTER INTO EVERYTHING IT CAN BE FOR AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS WHETHER THEY ARE 3 33 OR 63
THE PUBLICITY: WILL RELY ON A GREAT DEAL OF “WORD OF MOUTH” WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH A WEB SITE AND SERVICE ALL WHO HAVE ANY INTEREST INCLUDING SERVICE PROVIDERS, PROFESSIONALS AND TEACHERS.MUST CONTACT THOSE WHO ALREADY WORK IN THE RELATED FIELDS TO HELP US FIND THOSE WHO NEED AND WANT HELP.
THE RELATED SERVICES: ALSO PLAN TO HAVE SERVICES SUCH AS SHUTTLE SERVICES, ESTATE PLANNING, REFERRAL TO ADVOCATES, ASSIST WITH MEETINGS AND I.E.P.’s, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND JOB TRAINING
THE SUMMATION: THE CENTER WILL STRIVE TO BE WHAT EVERY PARENT WANTS FOR THEIR CHILD.
THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIROMENt
AND
A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION
WITH A CHERRY ON TOP!
Addendum :
A CENTER FOR AUTISM
IN ORDER TO FURTHER EXPLAIN AND EXPOUND ON THIS IDEA I WANTED TO ADD SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS AND IDEAS:
FEATURES AND ACCOMODATIONS OF "THE CENTER"
The idea is to be broad and accommodating to all kinds of services for Autistic individuals and their extended families-- A central kitchen that can be placed adjacent to the theater with an "candy Counter " like you see at the movies would allow us to train our kids with our people how to work and be appropriate in a working situation at a theater--A kitchen that could also accommodate catering and coffee service to train our kids how to become gainfully employed with abilities to work in the food industry { footnote there will be meeting rooms open and available to organizations like Lions .Kiwanis,or Rotary free of charge but the catch would be that our lids would be responsible for coffee service or any other needs they might have.}
We also need an exercise area with equipment to help our kids learn the importance of being healthy. Partnered with cooking classes and seminars on eating .cooking and exercising .
A room for decompression--- and even a nap area or quiet room for anyone--
a sensory room--self explanatory
I already mentioned meeting rooms for support groups or outside entities
Art room and Music rooms directly in back of the Theater so we can encourage and produce our own plays and talent shows--
The theater would be large enough to use as a fund raising venue and training for our kids-- we could have movies as well as live productions .
The yard could have a garden for those interested in that as well as allow those who are interested in honing skills for landscaping Hopefully a pool with therapeutic training as well as recreational opportunities .Even allow those who are interested to learn how to service a pool and make a job opportunity out of that.
Of course a library and rooms for study or homework???? and even a private classroom is possible .
The possibilities are only limited by or wants, needs and imagination---
One last thought at this time is the recreational part of this "Center" which would be to offer outings and trips .
Potentially pair up sibs with age appropriate autistic individuals for certain activities and to involve the typical community in as much as we can to give our kids the exposure to appropriate social interaction and to educate the public how to bring our children into the "fold" of society.
Ok folks please spread the word and let your imaginations fly -- whats that saying "We are only as strong as our weakest link" Pass this on-- Dream your own "Center", Seek out people who can help us make these kinds of ideas a REALITY, not for us but for our kids and those that come after them!
