Finally, housing for autistic adults, ground broken for First Place in Phoenix, Arizona

Ground just broke on First Place, a residential facility for autistic adults that is low sensory and teaches them life skills.
Denise Resnik spent 20 years seeing her dream come to fruition.
Her son is autistic. She worried about what would happen to him before the school bus stopped coming, when her son was still in his single-digit years.
This development, expected to open in 2018, is both privately and publically funded.
It is for adult autistics who have higher executive functioning but still need support, including a low-sensory environment.
Please click the link below to read and share.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2016/12/06/breaking-ground-work-begins-first-place-complex-phoenix-adults-autism/95046774/

On the fringe: autism and family gatherings

Child covering ears Family gatherings are noisey. There are a myriad of voices that range in pitch and volume. There is that one person who laughs so loud that tears well in my eyes. Boys yell and bang on the piano. Someone is taking a photo with flash. Greeting people is part of being polite, even when you are already in sensory overload. Perfumes and colognes combine and foods from the kitchen circulate. Men yell at the football game and women laugh at something funny. All this is taken in at the door. There is a long way to wade through before I can put my coat in a quiet bedroom. I have to remember to smile and say "hello" as well as accept hugs. There are a few cousins who cannot stand my presence, though, at age 5, I don't know what I could have possibly done to upset them. I am asked, "Why do you plug your ears?" I am told repeatedly that nobody wants me here. I am the only one who isn't part of a group. Sometimes, I get bullied. A parent ...

First Day of Spring

Cherry blossom tree in Springtime with light blue sky Today is the first day of Spring. As of late, I have presented a lot of dark, weighty subject material. I thought it was time for something positive and lighter. While Winter serves as a cushion and break from the outside sensory world, it also renews me for the next season. Spring helps me to appreciate the present a little more, as Summer can be tough with kids being off of school and setting off fireworks. Here is to the present. I also want to take the time to thank the Lord for always being with me, no matter how dark things get.

Funkonovo/Allison's autism Blog

Search This Blog