The Struggle of Adults with Autism: Housing Arrangements BY: DAINA ABOOD SE_559.

The Struggle of Adults with Autism:

Housing Arrangements

BY: DAINA ABOOD

SE_559

Daina Abood

I will introduce the topic of the presentation. I will ask for some volunteers to present some issues they feel are struggles for adults with autism and their housing arrangements. I will then ask the for volunteers on what the struggle may be for the parent.

Reality of adolescents with autism becoming adults:

• Adolescents with autism grow up just like everybody else.

• Parents struggle with the what is best for their child.

• A decision must be made on permanent housing arrangements.

• Some adults with autism cannot make decisions for themselves regarding housing arrangements and this burden is then placed on the caregiver.

• Adults with autism have the same basic needs that other adults do which need to be taken into consideration with housing arrangements.

Daina Abood

I will talk about how adults with autism are comparable to us as adults. I will also talk about why they need some extra resources in order to survive on their own. I will give some personal examples of my brother and how he is like us, but yet different at the same time.

Steps to Making a Decision:

Assess the individual’s functioning level of independent living skills (Pavlides, 2011).

Determine the availability of residential options. There can often be waiting lists for housing.

Research what funds are available to help pay for the housing arrangements, whether they are in home or outside the home.

Learn about options for in-home services through state and federal programs (Pavlides, 2011).

Consider the lifespan of the adult with autism.

Daina Abood

I will define more in detail the different levels of autism so the audience understands that not all people with autism are the same. Some have more needs than others. Some can't comunciate. Some have extreme behavior issues and how some are able to function more independently. I will also talk about what resources and funds are available and that they differ from state to state.

Residential Options:

Living with parents or family members

Adult foster care

Group home

Supervised community

Supported living

Independent living in leased or owned home (Pavlides, 2011)

There are pros and cons for each of these different settings and more in depth information is available at http://www.autism-mi.org/Resources/Adulthood.aspx

Daina Abood

I will talk about the different types of housing arrangements for adults with autism. I will also ask the audience to vote on which option they would pick if they were faced with this decision. We will then take about five or ten minutes to discuss this.

Living with Parents or Other Family Members

Individuals remain in the home with parents or family members as primary caregivers (Pavlides, 2011).

Pros:

Proximity of parental supports

Cost savings to the government

Parental oversight of service delivery and monitoring safety

Cons:

Burden and stress on caregivers

Does not prepare the individual to live independently

Eventually the caregiver will pass away and this will become an issue for the adult with autism ("Overview of current," 2014)

Daina Abood

I will elaborate more on some other pros and cons. I will explain why is saves money for the government. I will also talk about the caregiver eventually passign away and the effects this will have on the adult with autism.

Adult Foster Care

Individuals live in a family setting with a caregiver other than parents or relatives (Pavlides, 2011).

Pros:

Individuals still receive a family setting

Safety and services can still be monitored

Parents feel more at ease with the individual in this setting

Cons:

Does not prepare the individual to live independently

Costs the state and government money

Care may not be the same as the parent would provide ("Overview of current," 2014)

Daina Abood

I will talk about how adult foster care is different from the family setting. I will talk about the relif to the parents, as well as the concerns for the parents.

Group Home

Individuals live in a home setting run by an agency (Pavlides, 2011).

Pros:

Structured daily routines

Transportation

Social opportunities

Recreation/programming

Cons:

High staff turn over rates

Lack of staff training specific to autism and individual planning

Room sharing and close proximity do not fit the needs of individuals with autism

No cost of living allowance ("Overview of current," 2014)

Daina Abood

I will talk about the different opportunities that a group home can provide for an adult with autism. I will also talk about the risks that are taken, as well as the safety concerns. i will talk about the abuse cases that are reported by these facilities. I will mention the turnover rate and the monetary cost of this option.

Supported Community

Individuals receive support at a less intense level and services are provided by the agency that runs the community (Pavlides, 2011).

Pros:

Provides more independence for the individual

Social opportunities

Recreation/programming

Cons:

Costs the state money

Does not have an allowance for individuals

Environment may not fit individuals with autism’s needs ("Overview of current," 2014)

Daina Abood

I will talk about the soial opportunities available and how important this is for an adult with autism. I will also bring up key points on why the environment may not fit the needs of an adult with autism.

Supported Living

Supported living in an apartment or home allows the individual to choose agencies or service providers while staying in the same home (Pavlides, 2011).

Pros:

Provides more independence for the individual

Allows the individual to have more control over their wants and needs

Individuals have more responsibilities

Cons:

Individuals can choose to live alone and therefore make them less social

Adults will have to set up their own transportation

Individuals do not have as much supervision ("Adulthood," 2014)

Daina Abood

I will talk about the independence factor in this option and how huge this is. I will also talk about the challenges that the adults will face because they have the ability to make more choices in this housing arrangement than in others.

Independent Living in Leased or Owned Home

Individuals are able to live on their own and may qualify for housing assistance (Pavlides, 2011).

Pros:

Provides individuals with option to make their own choices

Individuals remain in control over housing choices and support staff

Provides individual with the most independence

Cons:

Rental subsides are scarce

Some landlords do not accept government money

There is more risk for isolation for the individual with ASD ("Overview of current," 2014)

Daina Abood

I will talk about the challenges individuals may face trying to find availability of homes to rent. I will also talk about the isolation risk and give real life scenarios and how this can negatively impact the adult with autism.

Current Living Arrangements of Young Adults With ASDs

ADULTS (AGES 19-30) WITH ASDs

With parent(s) or guardianIndependently, either with or without a spouse or partnerWith other family member(s)/spouse/partnerSupported residence for individuals with special needsOther

(Ahrentzen, Barger, Blackbourn, Bosworth, Gerhardt, Hannah, Harris & Oakes, 2009)

Daina Abood

I will explaint the chart to the audience. I will ask the audience why they think the chart is set up the way it is. I will as for examples from the audience on why people are in the different categories. They should be able to do this given I just informed the about many of the pros and cons.

The Struggle:

In all reality the struggle of an adult with autism deciding on a housing arrangement lies within the parent(s), unless the adult is capable of making the decision themselves.

The parent(s) has to weigh the pros and cons of what there life will be like with and with out the child in the home.

The parent(s) also have to decide what is going to be in the best interest of their child.

The problem that most families struggle with is the fact that what they want for their child may not actually be what's best for the child.

The adult with autism struggles as well. They do not always understand why they have to leave and this can effect them emotionally and they could act out with behaviors in response to this change of environment.

Daina Abood

I will talk about the different struggles that parents face. I will give some scenarios that express the issues that parents have to deal with. I will also talk about the sturggle the adults with autism have to go through as well. Often they are left out beause they are not the ones making the decision, when in fact I feel they have the worse end of the bargain becasue they are the ones who have to live with the decision.

Pros to the adult with autism living in the home:

Adult benefits from interaction with family

Parent(s) have peace of mind

Adult gets good care and is secure

Adult can help around the house

Adult is able to keep parent(s) company

Adult is happy at home, not dealing with change

Family benefits and learns from the adult (Krauss, Seltzer & Jacobson, 2005)

Daina Abood

I will elaborate on the pros to the adult with autism living in the home. I will give some personal examples of my brother to explain them.

Cons to the adult with autism living in the home:

Dealing with the adult’s behavior

Limits family activities

Stress of daily life

Negative impact on siblings

Residing at home does not challenge the adult

Social isolation

Worry of future of the adult

Difficult finding respite care (Krauss, Seltzer & Jacobson, 2005)

Daina Abood


Pros to the adult with autism living outside the home:

Families stay married longer

Less behavior issues

Calmer environment

Adult learns new skills and grows more independent

Adult has a better social life

Adult has an age appropriate life style

Parent(s) can work

Parent(s) can have more free time (Krauss, Seltzer & Jacobson, 2005)

Daina Abood


Cons to the adult with autism living outside the home:

Staff is not always well trained

Concerns about quality of care

Staff turnover

Lack of communication with staff about the individual

Safety concerns

Parent(s) worry and feel guilty

Parent(s) are limited to see their child

Parent(s) feel loss of control (Krauss, Seltzer & Jacobson, 2005)

Daina Abood


When to let go:

At some point at parent(s) has to make the decision, after weighing the pros and cons.

The level of severity of the adult with autism may persuade parents more as they realize they may not be able to physically take care of them, and that a group home may be the best place for them.

For some parents it is a struggle to make the decision because their child may not be that severe.

Reality is at some point the parent will not be able to take care of their child anymore because nobody lives forever.

The key is to figure out what the best time in the adult’s life is to help transition them with this experience.

Daina Abood

I will ask the audience when they think it is time to let the child go that they have been raising, given that eventually the caregiver will pass away. We will talk about whether the audience bases it upon age, level of needs, behaviors, etc.

In my opinion, I believe that an adult with autism is going to get a better experience in life to eventually leave their home. After high school at some point every person leaves their home. An adult with autism should do the same. They may need to take longer than the average person, but this is expected. I have a brother with autism and he is diagnosed as PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified). He is very functional. I feel he is being enable and held back from his true capabilities in life by living at home. He needs to work on being social and having responsibilities and job opportunities. He will at some point need to leave to experience this.

Based on the information in these slides that weigh the pros and cons of the adult living in the home versus in a non-family setting, the pros, in my opinion, outweigh the cons. The family is happier and the adult is happier.

One parent states in an interview that she looks forward to the opportunities that her son will have in community support services https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq4TdXO5BDA.

Daina Abood

I will give some more thoughts about my opinion. I will give some personal stories about my brother to back these up.

References(2013, July 05). CSS Adult Residential Services [Web Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq4TdXO5BDA

Adulthood. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.autism-mi.org/Resources/Adulthood.aspx Ahrentzen, S., Barger, T., Blackbourn, J., Bosworth, G., Gerhardt, P., Hannah, N., Harris, P., &

Oakes, M. (2009). Opening doors: A discussion of residential options for adults living with autism and related disorders. Retrieved from http

://www.autismcenter.org/openingdoors.aspxKrauss, M. W., Seltzer, M. M., & Jacobson, H. T. (2005). Adults with autism living at home or in non-family settings: positive and negative aspects of residential status. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(2), 111-124. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2004.00599.x Overview of current adult autism housing options. (2014). Retrieved from http://wAdulthood. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.autism-mi.org/Resources/Adulthood.aspx

Pavlides, M. (2011, October 19). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.autismafter16.com/article/1019-2011/gimme-shelter-housing-adults-autism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq4TdXO5BDA



http://www.autism-mi.org/Resources/Adulthood.aspx

http://www.autism-mi.org/Resources/Adulthood.aspx

http://www.autismcenter.org/openingdoors.aspx

http://www.autismcenter.org/openingdoors.aspx

http://www.autismafter16.com/article/10-19-2011/gimme-shelter-housing-adults-autism



Presentation Evaluation

What I am marked on I know that this is worth I believe that I have earned 100 % for this portion of my mark on this

I explained the topic using the material from the text and other relevant material that I found in books, journals or pertinent websites

(40%) 40%

I used pictures that were relevant to the material and interesting

(10%) 10%

I included a relevant video (or videos) no longer than 10 minutes total

(5%) 5%

I included my opinion in the presentation (10%) 10%

I included a link to two relevant slides to help illustrate my thoughts

(5%) 5%

I used proper APA format in the slides

(10%) 10%

I included a reference slide that gave credit to others if the material was not mine

(20%) 20%

The Struggle of Adults with Autism: Housing Arrangements BY: DAINA ABOOD SE_559.

Documents

struggle of adults

different levels of

permanent housing arrangements

housing arrangementsby

autism overview of current

owned home pavlides

different settings

family membersindividuals