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. Supports necessary to enable all of these
young adults with ASD to live fulfilling lives, safe from harm and crisis,
just do not exist in adequate form or sufficient quantity.
Recognizing the dramatic growth in the number of children with ASDs and the
aging of these children into adulthood, AFAM's Adult Services Committee
prepared a report to frame the discussion about the need to plan for adult
services for people with autism. The report included an overview of the
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 summarized the findings of
an extensive survey AFAM conducted in 2009-2010 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.
In the report, we called 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 are
very pleased that since the time the report was released, the Commonwealth
has established an Autism Commission charged with making an investigation
and study relative to individuals with ASDs, including Asperger's syndrome,
high functioning autism and pervasive development disorder, and
investigating and studying the range of services and supports necessary for
individuals to achieve their full potential across their lifespan. We are
following the work of the Commission and its subcommittees and look forward
to recommendations the Commission is developing.
To view a copy of the report click here.
To view a summary of the survey results click here.
