Adult Services
Awash in Autism -
Why We Must Begin to Address the Critical Need for Services for Adults with Autism in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is facing a crisis. An entire generation of school children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is becoming adults. The tsunami is now on the horizon. Indeed the beginning of the wave is hitting the classes of individuals currently Turning 22. The supports necessary to enable these young adults with ASD to live fulfilling lives, safe from harm and crisis, just do not exist.
Recognizing the dramatic growth in the number of children with ASDs and the aging of these children into adulthood, AFAM’s Adult Services Committee has prepared a report to frame the discussion about the need to plan for adult services for people with autism. The report includes an overview of the current state of services in Massachusetts for adults with ASDs prepared for AFAM by Caroline V. Budney, M.P.P., and Marji Erickson Warfield, Ph.D., of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University. The report also summarizes the findings of an extensive survey AFAM conducted over the past year documenting the needs of individuals in Massachusetts 14 years and older who have or will have needs for intensive and specialized day, employment, and residential supports when they reach the age of 22.
We call on the Commonwealth to establish a task force to begin the work necessary to develop a more complete understanding of the current status and future needs of adults with autism in Massachusetts and assist in the development of effective policy and service options. We know that demand for services for people with disabilities is growing and services are severely underfunded at a time when the Commonwealth is facing a fiscal crisis. We do not have the luxury of waiting for the economy to turn around before we start tackling the problem of a lack of adult services for people with autism. The discussion must start now.
To view a copy of the report click here.
To view a copy of the survey click here.
To view a summary of the survey results click here.
