History of Autism Services Association

Transcription

1 Autism Speaks Foundation Grant to Autism Services Association: Employment and Community Accessibility for Young Adults and Adults with Autism Transitioning from School to Work. Joel H. Smith, Ph.D., Executive Director Autism Services Association 47 Walnut Street, Wellesley Hills, MA Tel: ; Fax: Website:

2 History of Autism Services Association Autism Services Association was established in The organization began as a Day School for children and as the children grew up, the emphasis and mission became more vocational. Historically, individuals with autism were placed in state schools and institutions, later moved on into Campus Schools which were situated more in the community, and then workshops were established in the community. All of the above settings were in segregated settings with all disabled populations.

3 History (continued) Approximately twenty years ago, the rehabilitation philosophy changed to the concepts of normalization, inclusion, integration, community membership and supported employment in the community. This allowed persons with autism and other developmental disabilities to model after so call normal typical behaviors as opposed to modeling after segregated and maladaptive behaviors.

4 History (continued) Autism Services Association over twenty years ago, adopted this leading edge community membership and community employment philosophy which was relevant to persons with autism since their behaviors were found significantly better in the community modeling after normal typical behaviors.

5 History (continued) Yet even today, many programs dealing with persons with autism spectrum disorder would prefer them being served in a closed segregated environment than in an integrated community setting. Community participation and employment involves an amount of risk taking. There are still very few resources for young adults and adults with autism which enhance community membership, adult life services, and community employment.

6 The Autism Speaks Grant Objectives: Increase job opportunities and placement of young adults and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from very high level individuals including those with Aspergers Syndrome to those who are considered high need individuals who may have challenging behaviors and communication needs Increase attitudinal accessibility for persons with ASD through education, information, networking and business advisory council Increase community membership and community employment opportunities.

7 Current Supported Employment Programs enhanced through Autism Speaks Foundation Grant Today, Autism Services Association provides supported employment services to approximately 70 individuals with autism spectrum disorder and/or other developmental disabilities. Most of the participants come from Central and Eastern Massachusetts. They consist of a wide range of characteristics and behaviors from very high level to very high need individuals. We have supported employment collaborations with many companies.

8 Roster of Community Employment Worksites developed with Support from Autism Speaks Foundation Grant Springwell, Inc. Watertown: Meals on Wheels: multiple routes and site nutrition management Norembega Assisted Living: housekeeping and food service, recycling Shaw s Supermarkets, Wellesley, Dedham, Medford, Somerville, collecting carriages, general utility work Sports Authority, Braintree, pricing and tagging retail garments and articles Dick s Sporting Goods, pricing and tagging retail garments and articles. Kappy s Liquor, Sudbury: Assembling six packs, bagging ice and janitorial Cambridge Wine and Spirits: Assembling six packs, bagging ice and Janitorial Savemore, Somerville: Assembling six packs, bottle return and stocking Dana Hall, Wellesley: Landscaping and janitorial Autism Services Association Inc, Wellesley: Janitorial and Landscaping CVS: Framingham: Stocking and pricing merchandise ASA landscaping: Yard work (raking, leaf and trash pickup) Ladders Clinic: Wellesley: Office work Yellow Book delivery (SDDS): delivery of phonebooks and inspection Apartment moving jobs AAF accounting firm, Westboro, Scanning, Shredding, Office Work Eastern Bus Company: cleaning school buses Bay State Textiles, recycling of ASA donation box and trailer location.

9 The Development of a Business Advisory Council Members of the Business Advisory Council would consist of employers who would enhance employment networking, job seeking interviewing skills, educate additional employers in employing individuals with autism and enhance the needs of the business community. Recruit employers through present agency employer network, chamber of commerce and other agency stakeholders Review applicant profiles, provide placement network and referral recommendations. Be market based in directing placement efforts.

10 Business Advisory Council Members Ray Nute, Sullivan, Shuman & Freedberg, CPA Joette Cook, Wellesley Community Representative and Past President of ASA Henry Eaton, Attorney Dr. Jordan Markson, Psychologist Dr. David Helm, Institute for Community Inclusion James McNamara, Software Company, COO, National Systems Analyst Consultant Jim Fratillilo, Director, Statewide Employment Services Mass. Rehabilitation Commission Lisa Borges, Director, Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Joe Murphy, Director of Transition and Employment Member, National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism (NARPAA), The Boston Higashi School, Inc. Anke Kriske (note: parent), Autism Society of America, Mass. Chapter Tom Maloney, Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services (LADDERS) Steve Parruzzi, Star Market Donna White, Sodexho/Bose Sandra West, Executive Director, Norumbega Point at Weston Cathy Prendergast, Director of Human Resources, Springwell

11 Collaboration with Autism Speaks Foundation Grant has been a win-win situation Young adults and adults with autism are giving an opportunity to develop vocational skills and work and contribute to their communities working in the community. Person with disabilities earn paychecks and enhance their self esteem: This is not just a job! The transition from Education to Adult Life is enhanced.

12 Through the Autism Speaks Grant, placement services were provided Over six months, 6 participants were placed into supported community employment and 6 were placed into independent competitive employment in the community. It is the goal of the project that 80% of the individuals admitted into the project would be placed in competitive or supported employment in the community. 12 out of 14 total participants have been successfully placed as listed above or 86%.

13 Public Information and marketing of services Collaboration agencies and companies provide positive public information and public relations relative to their community services ie, newspaper articles, newsletters, press releases, etc. At Autism Services Association s annual meeting, Companies are awarded its Employer of the Year award and there was a Worker of the Year and Job Coach of the Year. Newspaper coverage is a positive result.

14 Example: Meals on Wheels recipients make suggestions to enhance the relationship between them and our clientele: one example ASA was told that a Meals on Wheels recipient suggested that our trainees/workers have a name tag so that the recipient senior could address them by their first name and have more of a closer friendlier relationship. Name tags were purchased and laminated by ASA and this suggestion enhanced the relationship and communication between both parties.

15 Summary of impact of the Autism Speaks Foundation Grant The above is an attempt to briefly outline some of the significant and exemplary community employment accessibility efforts in the transition from School to Work. A slide presentation will follow:

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