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Autism Laws and Policies: How Legal Protections Can Prevent Stigmatization and Support Advocacy Efforts
Over the past 50 years, autism laws and policies have supported the needs and rights of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder. They have protected access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, and community integration. The lives of people with autism have been improved; their...
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The Autism Society of America Awards Desiree Kameka Galloway the 2024 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award
The Autism Society of America is pleased to announce that Desiree Kameka Galloway will be honored with The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Leader in Adult Autism Award for 2024. This award celebrates individuals and initiatives that allow Autistic adults to live fully. The Daniel Jordan...
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Perkins Transition Center Four-Part Housing Series: Fueling a New Marketplace for Supportive Housing
Perkins Transition Center Four-Part Housing Series Join us throughout January 2025 for a free, virtual four-part workshop series helping parents, caregivers, and professionals navigate the essentials of housing for young adults with disabilities. The talks will dive into the key aspects of...
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NY State Governor Hochul’s Proposed Budget Prioritizes Independence for People With Developmental Disabilities
Governor Hochul has released her Fiscal Year 2025 Budget proposal which is the first step in the New York State Budget process. The Governor and the Legislature will begin negotiations and reach an agreement on a final enacted New York State Budget. The final Budget deadline outlined in the New...
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Inclusive Housing: How Sensory-Friendly Features Can Help Address a Growing Need
Home should be a place where you can relax, feel safe, unwind from the day, and feel like it is your space. However, not everyone has that option. To illustrate, in our work of supporting inclusive housing for autistic adults for over 16 years at Madison House Autism Foundation, we have found that...
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Living and Aging Independently on the Autism Spectrum: An Inside View
Having been diagnosed late in life at the age of 44, I lived for the better part of my life on the autism spectrum without myself or anyone else being aware of it. During the time in which I finally knew about this, I was already an older adult and, most recently, a senior citizen. Unlike so many...
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Helping Autistic Individuals Navigate Barriers to Adulthood
An adult on the spectrum can accomplish or achieve everything his/her/their cohort who is not on the spectrum has accomplished or achieved, and yet not be rewarded with that same level of independence and autonomy for his/her/their efforts (Cheak-Zamora, Tait & Coleman, 2022). Although young...
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Perspectives From Two Adults Living Independently in the Chapel Haven Community
Brave, Bold Kimber By Kimber Marchesi Kimber Marchesi came to Chapel Haven Schleifer Center from her hometown of Darien, CT in 2013. She learned how to live independently while enrolled residentially in Chapel Haven’s REACH program, graduated and now lives in her own apartment in the community,...
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Suitable Housing and Community Living: Autistics Face Many Unusual Challenges
Whether they can live independently or require assistance and support, autistics need resources to live in communities, of which they often want to be a meaningful part. First and foremost, adequate housing must be made available. Even for those who can live independently and find and maintain...
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Finding Home: Creating a Home that Supports the Individual
Many young adults dread being asked, “What are you going to do after high school?” And this is especially true for those with autism and other disabilities. For many individuals with autism or other disabilities, it can be a big step to leave their family home. Some choose to attend a...
