Download the Give Autism A Chance 2012 Campaign flier

Join us on April 22nd 2012 at the Spider House Cafe and Patio Bar - find out more by downloading the Give Autism a Chance flier above!

 

 

 

 

Learn about the background to the Autism Trust in the USA:

The inspiration came from Polly Tommey's vision in the UK 

"Being told that your precious child has autism can be heartbreaking and frightening. My son Billy was diagnosed with severe autism when he was just over two years old. That was back in 1998. I am happy to say that we have come a long way since that time. He is now 15 years old and is described as "high functioning" and his progress is ongoing. That progress is due in no small part to the excellent biomedical and educational interventions we were able to access for him.

Preliminary research into what lay ahead for my son was devastating. His future, like a great many others with autism, was bleak. There simply is not enough provision or support for these children as they become adults.

The more families and children that I meet with autism, the more I learn. It is blatantly obvious that, whether verbal or non verbal, every child with autism has an extraordinary brain with so much potential.

We cannot lose these children to a future without purpose" 

 

As a result of Polly's finding, the Autism Trust has been created. It will provide an environment to help these children develop their skills and fulfill their potential. They will get life long help and above all will be safe and happy.

The Autism Trust USA’s focus is on building inspiring, sustainable and real futures for the many children with autism in the USA today:

A Safe Haven for People with Autism

Our objective is simple: to create a future with purpose for children everywhere with autism. We aim to do this by developing a nationwide network of innovative, high-quality environments: Centers of Excellence in Autism

 

 

The Autism Trust’s Goal and Objecives

We recognize the immense gap that exists between the demand for and current availability of existing residential and professional support options once children with autism leave supported education throughout the world.

Our goal as The Autism Trust is to provide this through the development of a network of consistently outstanding and innovative outreach centers for autism worldwide. We consider it essential that each of these Centers of Excellence not only provides help and support to individuals with autism but also to their families and those involved with their care, ongoing education and development.

Each Autism Trust facility will reflect the local environment in each country but our objective is to offer the following resources either directly or through local, approved partners:

• A Wellness Center, our unique outpatient resource for all people with autism of all ages where in–house experts including nutritionists and therapists will practice alongside behavioral, educational and developmental experts to help support not only our residents but any member of the autism community who selects to utilize our services and facilities. We will seek out the best established clinic in each location. 
• A Training Center providing training, consulting facilities and services accessible to everyone working in the field of autism who needs to increase their understanding with the most effective ways to treat and support those with the diagnosis.
• A Conference Center in which conferences, seminars and workshops will be run to provide education, information and open programs covering all aspects of autism – from developmental to biomedical to behavioral.
• A Business Center in which people with autism with the desire to run their own businesses; support other companies in graphic and specialist design; testing software and games; developing IT solutions and many other activities.
• Personal Development Programs will provide tailored educational and leisure activities to support and further long term development, life skills and society integration to meet the needs of each individual.
• Vocational Opportunities for both residents and non-residents will be created ranging from organic and eco-friendly agricultural and horticultural work as through to the technology and design enabled work within the Business Center. Of prime importance is the focus of each Autism Trust facility in achieving renown in undertaking activities that are distinctive for each location – for example rare breed management, agricultural excellence and growing native specialist produce.
• Residential Accommodation which will be a haven for those in immediate need through to the provision of lifelong homes for adults with autism in an accessible, open, supported care environment.
• Retail Facilities open to the public including a superb café/restaurant and an inspiring Autism Trust shop selling products from the local center and other Autism Trust centers worldwide. This will be operated and run by people with autism.
• Finally, Economic, Social and Environmental Development for the region where jobs will be created during both the construction phase and the subsequent long-term operation of each center.
• 

Why is this needed?

The pressure faced by parents and those caring for children with autism as they approach adulthood is extreme.

We acknowledge that autism places immense stress on both the person with autism and their family. Inadequate understanding within our society of autism as a condition results in many sufferers becoming isolated often leading to adverse, prejudicial reactions.

We also know from detailed research that insufficient provision of appropriate care facilities means many parents have no choice other than to provide life-long care in their home. The impact on the lives and relationships of relatives and the wellbeing of the individual sufferer is huge today.

The impact on society if we fail to address this will be even greater tomorrow.

Current residential care facilities for individuals with autism are very limited worldwide; rates of autism diagnosis are climbing sharply.

The autism ‘boom’ will soon bring the pressure to a crisis point unless more appropriate services and facilities are provided.

This is the need that The Autism Trust has been created to address.

Each Autism Trust facility will be a place where residents can live in a lifelong supported environment; where they can work or travel to work; and where they can access specialist, autism-centered support: from personal skills development, to medical and nutritional advice, to mentoring, vocational and educational guidance.  

The first Autism Trust centers will be created in the UK, the USA and in Dubai (UAE). Each will demonstrate how our approach can work in different environments and we will identify and develop an effective structure and demonstrate the best practice in each case. We will then work to support other groups in replicating further comparable environments wherever demand dictates.

The Autism Trust is focused on this challenge: to develop a new life-long support model for individuals with autism and their families.

 

 

The Autism Trust Solution

Each Center of Excellence will be open to people from across the world of autism as an outpatient resource.

We will provide Autism Trust ‘membership cards’ providing cardholders with an ASD diagnosis with access to The Autism Trust’s facilities anywhere in the world: their ‘safe haven’ in which standards are known and respected.

Our Center of Excellence model will be able to house residents in individual private accommodation. The adjacent organic farm will have horticultural, and agricultural activities and will encourage local community engagement.

Children and teenagers with autism will be able to visit The Autism Trust’s Center of Excellence and spend time experiencing horticultural and farm life. We will also be working with local schools to enhance understanding and support diversity.

 

 

The Wellness Center

Children will be able to visit the Wellness Center with their parents where resident and visiting doctors, nutritionists and therapists will be practicing. We will have behavioral, educational and developmental experts to provide further support.

The Wellness Center within The Autism Trust will aim to help identify and support the health and functionality of people with autism.

Where appropriate, services offered through the Wellness Center may range from addressing metabolic, to physiological, to immunological, to neurological and biomedical conditions; any of which may help improve the overall health and functioning of the individual when treated specifically by professionals.

Many individuals may also have major issues with physiological and sensory issues. An over reaction to normal levels of stimulation may lead to a range of behaviors which include panic attacks and high levels of anxiety. This in turn leads to task avoidance, uncharacteristic or self stimulatory behaviors. Levels of stress and anxiety can be managed and the Wellness Centre will cater for these issues with relaxation and physical therapies.

Because of its complexity, autism challenges the intellect and research skills of all clinicians investigating and treating the condition. The Wellness Center will therefore have leading practitioners visiting or in residence. They will be working together to collectively address the needs and treatments of all residents and outpatients visiting the Center.

 

 

The Conference & Training Center

The adjacent Conference and Training Center will run regular workshops, certified training courses, lectures, seminars and conferences to help educate and train individuals working with the autism population.

Additional services to be provided by the Training Center will need to be seen in the context of education that fits national and local government criteria for ‘wellbeing’ such as expressive and creative arts; physical education; and personal, social and health education. Across all ages, expert nutritionists, therapists and medical practitioners will tailor personal programs to meet the needs of residents and visitors.

Individuals with autism will also be given a vocational opportunity through the Business Center, where applicable, to be a part of the ‘team’ and may complete a qualification in their relevant area of interest or profession.

Finally, we will hold regular workshops and certification for teachers, parents and caregivers and will have visiting experts to help people living and working with autism to manage and develop their skills.

 

 

The Business Center

We want to enable people with autism to live and work in a safe and supported environment and contribute to society to the best of their ability. For many people with autism, exceptional capabilities mean that with focus, many vocations may be accessible and realistic. The Business Center, with the team of Personal Assistants, will make this a reality for many more.

We recognize that people with autism have potential in many vocational areas including business administration, design and technology, catering and retail. We will therefore also offer relevant work experience and qualification courses through the Business and Training Centers.

Businesses created by and run by people with autism will be incubated within the Business Center as it will provide the infrastructure to enable the core business to be the focus of each entrepreneur.

Residents will be able to work in a variety of roles to suit their capabilities and developmental needs including the farm, offices, retail and catering. They will be helped to fulfil their potential and will continue to learn life skills in a safe and supported environment.

Young adults will visit with their schools as they approach school leaving age so that they can learn additional life skills and start to explore vocational options. We will give them support in business planning through to hands on experience of growing native produce and working the land.

A public accessible fruit and vegetable farm (‘pick your own’) will surround the central buildings and provide further work and development opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

 

 

Our Financial Model

The capital development and business operating model will depend on the facility mix and local partners – as well as the engagement and support available from local government. A mix of charitable status and commercially selfstanding models will be explored in each location.

Our Management & Staff

The management and staff within each center will be recruited to represent the best in their field with relevant experience, an understanding of autism and desire to make a difference. They will be well directed and managed, properly trained, equipped, supported and importantly, paid the right rate for their respective roles. In recognition of the importance of having aligned interests, we will be working in partnership with local government and major corporations to become the focal point for positive change in residential support linked to life-long learning in autism.

We want our staff to be proud about working with Autism.

 

 

Disclaimer: The Autism Trust USA is a tax exempt organization qualified to received tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts. Contributions are decuctible under the IRS tax code. The Autism Trust USA is not a chartered bank or trust company, or depository institution. It is not authorized to accept deposits or trust accounts and is not licensed or regulated by any state or federal banking authority.