jeremysmom you are right about pa. going through the process now to get services but have been told long waiting lists. think different parts of state better than others. have heard that western part around west chester etc have more services. live in philly now and expect nothing from here. we are thinking of moving because of this and i am interested to see what others have to say. interested in deleware if anyone lives there.
We are in NC and my son is one of the fortunate ones that receives CAP (a medicaid waiver). If we do not move out of state, he will have it forever.
However, I feel the same as jeremysmom regarding services for adults. In the part of NC we are in, adult services are few and far between. And what I have heard of is mostly group homes and 1:1 workers that provide community support (which basically consists of going to rec center, mall, etc). I have yet to find out about a program that works with vocational training or supported employment.
That said, it may just be the part of the state we are in (central, south of Greensboro). Once in a while, I hear bits and pieces about small workshop situations in the eastern part of the state. My problem with them is they are so small and the special population is growing by leaps and bounds.
Frankly, we are looking to move north soon. I'll be interested to read what others post on this topic as well!
Mary
This is such a broad topic, but I haven't really found any good "compare and contrast" websites that discuss which states have the best resources (job training, continuing education, housing, social supports, etc) for adults with autism. The scary thing I HAVE discovered is that my own state--Pennsylvania--has just about NO services for adults with autism. My little guy is only 5, so I have some time to think about moving someplace better for him (though I must say, we're thrilled with the education he's getting here). Would anyone like to contribute thoughts about which states are actually serving their adult autistic population well?
Thanks!
Check into NC. They have good cap service for children if you get it. I hear it can grow with you.
concernedpa.
Thanks, everyone, for responding! Col845, I'm in Chester County (West Chester is our county seat) and the programs for children with autism are amazing. We're so glad to be living out here (for now!). We have a friend in Montgomery County who has already done major battling with the Intermediate Unit on behalf of her 3-year-old who has autism. I heard a horror story about an 8-year-old in the Erie area who had to attend a mainstream class with no aide and was absolutely traumatized (and, needless to say, learned nothing).
We are also interested in Delaware. I know the lower half of the state has a VERY active autism-support community (my in-laws live there). We would only be able to live over the state line in the Wilmington area, as my husband couldn't commute any farther for work. I'd love to hear more about anything available to autistic adults in DE.
jeremysmom,
If you are interested in Delaware, check out the Autism Society of Delaware's website. I read their newsletter online and it seems they are working aggressively on the issues of adults with autism. If we ever get moved there (long story), I intend to jump in with both feet on this issue. Hopefully, I can find employment in an affiliated situation.
We are looking at the Dover area; sort of central area. Ex lives and works in NY and would be commuting on weekends. Not only do I think the schools will be good for my son, but the weekends with dad hopefully will be positive as well. Now they only see each other about once every 3 months.
You may also want to check with another mom on the board... va2demom I think is her "name". She lives just south of Wilmington area, so she may be a good source of information to check. I don't see her posting often, but I think her e-mail is on her profile.
Let me know how you progress!
Mary