Providing clinical, case management, education, and employment
services to help students live independent lives. An Academy for
Adults with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, and
other Executive Functioning Deficits. Slide 2 Options for Adults
with Asperger's, Autism, or Learning Disabilities WHAT THE #$%^ DO
WE DO NOW? Slide 3 OVERWHELMED AND ANXIOUS? Slide 4 Will my child
ever live on their own? Will my child ever have a job? Will my
child ever live a normal life? What will happen to my child when I
die? PARENTS OFTEN WONDER: Slide 5 LEARNING OUTCOMES 1-1- Learn how
to make a transitional plan. 2-2- Identify transitional services
that are available. 3-3- Understand the basics of government
services. 4-4- Guidelines for looking at residential programs 5-5-
Have a basic understanding of support services Slide 6 Start by
coordinating with the school on their existing transition plan.
Explore what you like to do. Identify the skills you use when youre
doing the thing(s) you enjoy. Think of fields broadly. A field of
work is far more than a single job. It is an area in which many
jobs or trades are possible. Learn as much as possible about the
qualifications required for fields that interest you. Find people
who work in your field of interest and learn from them. Research
future opportunities. Identify your obstacles. What is going to
make certain opportunities difficult if not impossible to achieve.
Identify what services and support services can help you towards
your goals. Take the next step in pursuing your educational or
training program in the career of your choice. Adapted from Zvi and
Axelrod: National LDA February 2013 POST-SECONDARY DECISION MAKING
STEPS: Slide 7 METHODOLOGY OF TRANSITION Achieve OutcomeSuccess
Explore ResourcesTraining Start InterestAbility Slide 8 Gap Year
program Post-Secondary Specialty School Vocational School Two year
College Four Year University Apprenticeship Part-time Job Full-time
Job Volunteer/Leisure Activities SOME POTENTIAL OPTIONS AFTER HIGH
SCHOOL INCLUDE: Slide 9 SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH LD, AUTISM AND
ASPERGERS Services for Adults with LD and ASD Government
ServicesResidential/Day ProgramsSupport Services Slide 10 Federal
-Supplemental Security Income (SSI) -Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) -Medicare -Department of Labor Occupational
Outlook Handbook State/Local -Medicaid -Housing -Food stamps -State
programs for uninsured adults -Vocational Rehabilitation GOVERNMENT
SERVICES Slide 11 Medicaid A federal system of health insurance for
those requiring financial assistance that is administered state by
state. Housing Assistance Financial assistance for housing programs
based on income, disability, or age. Most common examples are
apartments owned by housing authorities or supplemental rent. Food
stamps A voucher issued by the government to those with low income,
exchangeable for food that is administered state by state. State
programs for uninsured Supplemental programs for those who do not
qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or are in the process of applying
for social security. STATE/LOCAL SERVICES Slide 12 SSDI VS SSI
SSDISSI EligibilityA disabled or blind individual must have paid
social security taxes to become insured for benefits. A disabled or
blind adult or child must meet all of the following categories:
-Have limited income -Have limited resources -Be a US citizen -Live
in the United States PaymentThe monthly disability benefit amount
is based on the social security earnings record of the insured
worker. The monthly payment is based on need and varies up to the
maximum federal benefit rate. Some states add money to federal SSI
payments. Medical CoverageThe workers will get Medicare coverage
automatically. In most states, beneficiaries are automatically
eligible for Medicaid. socialsecuirty.gov Slide 13 CASE STUDY Slide
14 CASE STUDY CONT. Slide 15 Before you gather your documents you
can see if you will qualify at
www.benefits.gov/ssa/home.www.benefits.gov/ssa/home Gather up all
documents that you have received through the years from schools,
testing, and any papers that might include a diagnosis. Apply at
www.socialsecurity.gov.www.socialsecurity.gov Include specific
examples that demonstrate their disability throughout the
application. You need to paint a picture for the examiner. Be
persistent and assume you will have to go through the appeal
process. If you qualify for SSDI you will automatically receive
Medicare and if you qualify for SSI you qualify for Medicaid. US
Dept. of Labor has a website that identifies job growth areas and
the education required for those jobs. The web address is
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ HELPFUL HINTS
Slide 16 Benefit applications are free. Apply for benefits even
before they are needed as certain services have long wait lists,
such as housing which can have wait lists as long a year or more.
United Way 2-1-1 HELPFUL HINTS Slide 17 For adults with LD, autism
and aspergers transitioning into adulthood can be very difficult.
Residential/Day programs can help with this transition. Picking a
program can be difficult. We will share a residential program model
to serve as a guide for this process. RESIDENTIAL/DAY PROGRAMS
Slide 18 Employment Education Case management Therapy Social Skills
Training RESIDENTIAL/DAY PROGRAM MODEL Slide 19 Typical questions:
What services are provided? How long is your program? What does a
typical student schedule look like? Who is on your staff? What
needs do you address and how do you address it? What are is the
cost? Are there grants and/or scholarships? What room arrangements
are provided? And what furniture is included? Do you provide
medication administration? What medical services are provided or
are available in the area? What programming is provided during the
evening? Weekends? What food is provided? Do you provide social
skills training? Additional questions: How do parents best
communicate with the staff? What expectations are there for the
parents? How do staff and parents work successfully to best help
the student? What does success look like at your organization? How
do you address the individual needs of each student? What do you do
if and when your organization is not a good fit for the student?
What are some of the common challenges new students face? How can
parents help in getting the student more involved with programming?
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR A PROGRAM Slide 20 Berkshire
Hills Music Academy Casa de Amma Center for Independent Living
Chapel Haven Foundations for Independent Living, Inc. Horizon
School Independence Center Minnesota Life College Moving Forward
Towards Independence Options for College Success OPTIONS
Transitions to Independence PACE St. Louis Life ScenicView Academy
UCLA Pathway Program Vista SAMPLING OF ADULT RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS
Slide 21 Support services can be essential for when you are waiting
for a residential program, after youve completed a residential
program, or if you have decided a residential program is not the
best fit. Support services include: Local mental health agency Case
management Therapy Psychiatric services Groups (for parents and
children) Hospitals Research Universities Local mental health
agencies Accessibility services if attending college Parental trust
Long term care facility SUPPORT SERVICES Slide 22 Local mental
health agencies are typically available to those with Medicaid.
These agencies often provide: Case Management Therapy Clubhouses
Short term intensive residential treatment Psychiatric services
Housing LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AGENCY Slide 23 Support groups for
parents Local groups provided through mental health agencies,
schools, hospitals, and universities. Groups started by parents
Online support groups Autism spectrum support group
www.msnusers.com/autismcommunitydedicatedtomakingadifference
www.msnusers.com/autismcommunitydedicatedtomakingadifference Oasis
Asperger Syndrome and Information and Support
www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger Unlocking
Autism www.unlockingautism.org www.unlockingautism.org GROUPS Slide
24 Though the maze may be complicated there are services throughout
the lifespan. Explore several arenas to meet the needs of your
loved ones. Understanding services is important, sometimes
difficult, but can make a big difference in quality of life. It is
possible to navigate and find a great residential/day program.
Solutions are as varied as each individual. SUMMARY Slide 25
CONTACT INFORMATION Ryan Hawks, CTRS [email protected] Nathan
Jensen, LPC [email protected] Ryan Miller, LCSW
[email protected] svacademy.org [email protected] 5455 N. River
Run Dr. Provo, UT 84604 Direct: 801-226-2550 Toll free:
866-723-6420
