The documentary is, in part, a follow-up to the December 2008 “Easter Seals Living with Autism” study, conducted by Harris Interactive and  co-sponsored by MassMutual, that examined the hopes, fears and challenges of parents raising children with autism.

The top concerns of families living with autism, according to the study, include:

- Independence
- Financial well-being
- Quality of life
- Employment
- Housing needs
- Education
- Health
- The child’s longevity

“Autism: Coming of Age” first became available to public television stations in April of 2011. For those who missed the airing, Mass Mutual has received permission to give private screenings to groups and organizations of 25 people or more.

For information on how to request a viewing for your group or organization, click HERE.

Thumbnail image from The Health Journal.

The following video is a preview of “Autism: Coming of Age”.

In 1975 members of the Autism Society of Los Angeles established Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. (JNCS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, providing care for people with autism and other disabilities in group settings.

But in 1992, JNCS  closed their group homes. In their place, they began providing individualized support to people, helping them  live in their own homes, have jobs, and participate in other community activities.

Today, the mission of JNCS is to enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.

The leading provider of personalized support services in California,  most of its clients are concentrated in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, Santa Clara and surrounding counties.

What do they do? They offer…

Supported Employment and Personalized Day Support programs (meant to be a compliment to employment, not a substitute.)  ”Personalized Day Support would provide services around the hours of employment and then assist the person to find volunteer work, attend school, and considering opening up their own business.”

Customized services and tools for each individual, including training and companionship.

Professional webinars and training across a wide spectrum of issues to help people with autism and other disabilities achieve their life goals.

Family support services, geared toward providing the assistance that a family may need, or desire in order to ensure that the family remains together.

For more information about Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc., visit their website: http://jaynolan.org

Besides their many children’s programs, they also offer many individualized programs for adults, including a new, integrated work and community inclusion program.

With a primary goal of promoting independence in their clients…

• HOPe completes an in-depth profile of the individual to determine preferences and appropriateness of placement.
• Clients are provided with career options and assistance in defining recommended job goals.
• Our staff helps the individual with specific training to be able to perform the job consistently and effectively.
• HOPe’s staff continues individual support through job interviewing, procurement and on-site job supervision until our client is satisfactorily confident in his/her position.

Thumbnail photo from their site.

We are in the very early stages of the project.  We are looking to locate in McIntosh County, Georgia, right off I-95, inbetween Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida.  Our Chamber has told us that over 49,000 cars pass us daily.

We are looking for people and money resources.  We have found a 44 acre farm that already does some organic farming.  We hope to sell the produce locally and commercially.  We also want to do a bakery/restaurant using products from the farm.  We also want to rescue shelter dogs and train them as therapy animals. Our hope is that not only will our autistic kids (they are all kids to me) get job skills training, but healthy life skills training as well.  I have seen too many autistic young adults with talents, skills, and intelligence be overlooked or delegated to menial tasks.  These kids need to have a sense of pride in what they do and be able to have economic independence.  We welcome anyone with ideas and their willingness  to help.  One of our goals is to be able to create a plan that other communities can replicate so that more kids would have the opportunity to get involved.”

For more information on McIntosh Farmstead, including how to help this dream become reality… send an email to beachmama4ever (at) yahoo (dot) com (Be sure to write “McIntosh Farms” in the subject box or it won’t be read!)

photo from http://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-and-farm-aid-call-for-more-mid-sized-farms/

There are four components of Career Solutions, Inc.’s supported employment services: job development, job placement, job coaching and on-going, follow-up support. They help determine the best type of employment in relation to the individual’s needs and abilities, make job placements on a case-by-case basis, provide on-the-job training via a job coach, and follow up with the individual and employer to address any additional requirements or problems.

In their Continuing Education program, they focus on independent living, social and employment related skills.

Independent Living instructors provide instruction in the client’s own home,  assisting with skills relating to money management, health and safety, interpersonal relations, career enhancement and development, community awareness, recreational skills, nutrition, hygiene and leisure.

For a transition-age (age 18-21) student with a disability, Career Solutions provides services “designed with an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing education, adult services, independent living, and community participation.”

Career Solutions, Inc., along with The Arc of Omaha, form Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

For more information about Career Solutions, Inc., including eligibility, click HERE.

Photo from Career Solutions, Inc.

Editor Jim Tracy writes, “When people shift the way they talk about things, they shift their feelings about those things. Forget can’t and don’t. We can and do.”

If you thumb through the latest issue of Apostrophe, published by A.W.A.R.E. Inc., you’ll find articles about a wide variety of things, from an Elvis impersonator named Steven Betts to Independent Living Centers, ice cream, travel, sexuality, legal and ethical issues. There’s an article on Special Olympics and one about the Neuro Networking Club, a social group in Missoula, Montana, whose motto is “We’re all about autism and altruism.”

Near the back is “Job Shop”, a section devoted to career counseling and  job resources. There are lists of employment networks, sheltered workshops, vocational rehabilitation services and a list of every job service in Montana, where the magazine is published. Many of the articles and resources apply to that region, but they aren’t limited to Montana.  As of July 1, the magazine had 360 subscribers in 28 states and four provinces of Canada.

According to Tracy, “For $10, you get four issues jam-packed with stories about people overcoming apostrophes in their lives, guides for daily living and commentary from some of the brightest minds in the country.”

To read more about Apostrophe or check out past issues, click here.