Video clip: Life 101: Learning To Live With Autism

December 17, 2008

Life 101: Learning To Live With Autism

Dec. 10, 2008 | Donvan

.... Life 101: Learning To Live With Autism ... bustle of college life, they

don't reveal that they're here to learn some of life's most basic and essential

lessons -- getting practice ...

----- Forwarded Message ----

For those of you who have children on the spectrum approaching young adulthood,

or those who are looking down the road, ABC News ran a piece on Chapel Haven

West in Tuscon, Arizona. It opened this summer and is a residential program that

deals with all issues our kids must learn to navigate as adults. Some take

college classes, others take the vocational road, and others have jobs. They

live with other similar adults in apartments and have their own bedrooms.

Social, life skills, academic, job training, everything you can think of to help

them be successful in interdependent living are addressed. This program grew out

of the Chapel Haven program in Connecticut which has been around for about 30

years. As you might have guessed, the programs are not cheap. I do know that

when I spoke with Michele Winner, she considered it one of the top

programs in the country for young people with autism. She also serves on their

advisory board.

It would be so helpful to have a residential program in Washington. The U of W

would be a natural fit as they host the Autism Center on campus. Yet when I have

approached this subject, it seems to fall on deaf ears. By the way, the program

got off the ground in part with a grant from AutismSpeaks. So it can be done. It

just takes willingness and a little imagination.

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