A Conversation and Collaboration with Community Leaders

 Adults with Autism Creating Meaningful Lives

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The California Endowment
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
The California Endowment
1000 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90012
(free parking available behind the building; enter on Bauchet St.)


Please join leaders in the Los Angeles area autism community as we come together for the fourth meeting in our series exploring the impact of autism on our region. Los Angeles County is expecting a dramatic increase in the number of adults with autism in the next five years. Yet our area has limited housing options and an 80% under/unemployment rate among adults with autism.

This meeting will focus on housing, employment, and quality of life issues surrounding adults with autism. We will hear from experts about what options exist today, the challenges we face, and what goals we might set for the future. Through small groups, we will develop model adult programs and policies, expand housing options, and create strategies to implement them. This forum will help shape recommendations for the future and guide efforts to advocate for these proposals with policymakers.

Who should attend?
Leaders of parent organizations, employment and housing organizations, service providers, regional centers, schools and districts, and anyone who has an interest in improving the quality and diversity of programs, policies, and housing for adults with autism

Please note: We strongly encourage meeting participants to attend the entire day. Your involvement and input is vitally important. This is a collaborative forum, not a how-to workshop or a discussion about specific individual issues.


Cost: $50 per person including
continental breakfast and lunch
Seating is limited. RSVP early.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Registration Deadline – January 18, 2012
For more information call 562-804-5556.

_______________________________________


SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)


8:30–9 am Continental Breakfast, Registration and Welcome – Emily Iland - President, Autism Society of Los Angeles


9-10:15 am Employment: Adults with Autism Building a Life of Purpose
Sherry Beamer – Vice President, Developmental Disabilities Services, Essential Learning
Tom Iland , CPA
 Steve Miller - Executive Director, Tierra del Sol
Susan Osborne – College Internship Program
Christine Suh - Special Education Program Administrator, Green Dot Public Schools/SW SELPA


 Panel discussion topics include:

  • How do we lower the extraordinarily high unemployment rate among adults with autism? Can we ensure that even those with severe challenges get jobs?
  • Are high schools adequately preparing adults with autism to move into the workforce? What should colleges do to accommodate adults with autism?
  • How can adults with autism gain life skills in the areas of communication, social skills, and public transportation needed to attain and retain employment?
  • Do adults with autism get the support they need to be able to work?
  • Can adults with autism build a career? How do we partner with the private sector to create more paying jobs for adults with autism? How can we encourage entrepreneurship and microenterprises among adults with autism?


10:20-11:35 am Housing: Adults with Autism Choosing Where They Live and Who They Live With

 Ron Cohen – President and CEO, United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles
Scott Shepherd – Director, Avenues Supported Living Services
Michelle Wolf – Parent and Coordinator, Transitions Project, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

 Panel discussion topics include:
  • choices and increase the overall housing stock available to adults with autism? What public/private/nonprofit partnerships can we create for more housing options?
     

    11:45 am-1 pm     Daily Life: Adults with Autism Creating a Life of Quality

     Mike Clark – Former Executive Director, Kern County Regional Center
     Stephen Hinkle- Self-advocate, adult with autism
    Harvey Lapin – Parent and advocate
    Dr. Syed Naqvi - Director, Pediatric Psychopharmacology Clinic, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai Hospital

     Panel discussion topics include:
    • What steps can adults with autism take to build a happy and fulfilling life? Are there adequate social, community, and recreation options? How will they manage friendships, relationships, sexuality, and marriage?
    • What can we do to ensure that adults with autism make their own choices and determine their own futures? How do adults with autism learn self- empowerment and self-advocacy skills?
    • How can adults with autism deal with their anxiety, depression, and social deficits in order to lead a full life? Are we preparing adults with autism for the significant health and dental issues that they will inevitably face as they age?
    • Are nonverbal or limited verbal adults living as full lives as possible?? How should parents ensure that their son or daughter is able to participate in making their own choices for their future, regardless of how impacted by autism they are?
    • How should parents get prepared for their children with autism becoming adults? Are there enough experts out there to help parents prepare?
    • Can we guarantee safety and prevent abuse and neglect?


    1-1:15 pm     Pick Up Lunches

    1:15-2:45 pm     Lunch Workgroups

     Participants will be divided into diverse teams that will design model programs and policies that benefit adults from across the autism spectrum. Teams will be encouraged to “think outside the box” and expand on current models or create completely new models. The models must allow adults with autism to make their own choices. You are allowed to dream. The teams will also discuss barriers and possible solutions. The teams must show how they will measure the success of their programs. Participants will choose their team that will focus on one of the following areas:

    • Self-Empowerment and Individual Choice
    • Social/Recreational Programs
    • Safety, Health Care, and Public Benefits Protections
    • Housing – Supported Living and Group Homes
    • Housing – New Models
    • Transition Programs, Higher Education, and Internships
    • Supported Employment and Job Coaching
    • Job Creation, Microenterprise and Entrepreneurship


    2:45-3 pm     Closing Remarks


    REGISTER NOW

    Registration Deadline – January 18, 2012
    For more information call 562-804-5556.

    _______________________________________


    Please mark your calendars for the remaining meetings of this Autism in L.A. series:

    Harnessing Our Power:
    Mobilizing the Autism Community in Los Angeles County
    Friday, March 16, 2012
    The California Endowment

    Autism in L.A.: Assessing a Year’s Community Collaboration
    Creating a Plan to Advocate for and Implement the Recommendations
    Follow Up Annual Meeting
    Thursday, May 3, 2012     (please note date change)
    Location to be determined