Adult Autism Support Des Moines IA

Local resource for adult autism support in Des Moines. Includes detailed information on local businesses that provide access to information on autism or Asperger down syndrome, education for adults with autism, autism support for adults, as well as advice and content on autism services.

The Homestead
515-967-4369 or 888-228-8476
8272 NE University
Runnells, IA
Support Services
Adult Support, Camps, Job Coach, Marriage & Family Counseling, Residential, Residential Facility, Summer Camp/ESY, Support Organization

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Arc of Iowa
(800) 362-2927
715 E. Locust St.
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Disability Advocacy, Support Organization

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The Legal Center for Special Education
(866) 250-4545
317 E. Sixth St.
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Legal Services

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Iowa Insurance Division
(515) 281-5705
330 Maple St.
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Government/State Agency, Other

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VSA arts of Iowa
(515) 281-5839
Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th Street
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Disability Advocacy

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Drake University/Resource Center for Special Education Issues
515-271-3936; 1-800-44-DRAKE
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Government/State Agency, Marriage & Family Counseling, Other, Support Organization

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State Mental Health Agency (Iowa)
(515) 281-0377
Hoover State Office Building, 5th Floor, 1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Government/State Agency, Support Organization

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Iowa Department of Human Rights Commission of Persons with Disabilities Lucas State Office Buildin
(515) 242-6172
Division of Persons with Disabilities, Lucas State Office Building, Second
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Government/State Agency, Support Organization

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Innovative Learning Professionals
(515) 270-0280
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 270
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Early Intervention, Other, Therapy Providers

Data Provided By:
I LEARN
(515) 270-0280
Innovative Learning Professionals, LC
Des Moines, IA
Support Services
Psychological Counseling, Sensory Integration, Therapy Providers
Ages Supported
Preschool,Kindergarten,1-5 Grade,6-8 Grade,9-10 Grade,11-12 Grade

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Finding The Right Home For Your Adult Child With Autism

Finding the right home for your adult child with autism

Lisa Jo Rudy

Marianne Ehlert of Protected Tomorrows works with the families of people on the autism spectrum to plan for adult living. Available options for people on the autism spectrum vary from state to state and individual to individual. Possibilities range from complete independence to institutional living. Figuring out just what a particular individual needs, where to find it, and how to fund it, can be a complex process.

Ehlert notes that it's important to begin thinking about adult living while your child with autism is still young. In part, that's because children with autism are usually eligible for special needs and transition programs through their schools, which means that your child's educational program can be crafted to support your plans for the future. It's also because the process of thinking through, planning for and creating an ideal living situation for a person on the autism spectrum may take a long time.

Step One - Envision an Ideal Setting for Your Adult Child With Autism
All parents, Ehlert says, want their children to be "safe and happy" as adults. But every parent has a different vision of what "safe and happy" might look like. That vision, she says, depends as much on the parent's experience and attitudes as on the child's abilities and preferences. Still, it's important for parents to start thinking about their own vision for their child's future before making any concrete actions.

Where would your child thrive? In a city? On a farm? On his own? With a group? At home with parents? In essence, says Ehlert, there are five general living options available:

∗ At home with family

∗ Apartment with services that come in and check on residents (make sure they are paying bills, cleaning, etc.) These are living support services, and they could be privately or publically funded.

∗ Housing unit program/roommate -- individuals live in a house or apartment building that belongs to a structured support group; caregiver makes sure everyone is OK at night, runs programs, etc.

∗ Group home (community integrated living arrangement) -- caregiver lives on site

∗ "Dorm-style," large facilities (institutional settings, very low level workshop living)

Step Two - Determine if Your Ideal Setting Exists
Once parents (or parents and their teenage children with autism) have identified an ideal living situation, the next step is to determine whether such as setting already exists or whether the family will have to create the setting. A surprising number of parents are involved with or considering involvement with the creation of a residential setting for their child with autism. Some are funding or developing supportive living situations; others are envisioning and creating work/home settings in towns, cities, and rural areas.

Often, information about adult living situations in your state or province is available thr...

Click here to read the rest of this article from Autism Support Network