Health knowledge made personal
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The fact is that, at least here in New Brunswick, some youth with complex needs can not because of their specific challenges live with family or in group homes where the expertise to provide proper residential care and assistance does not exist. |
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It is a question that gnaws at many parents with severely disabled children. At the same time attempts to find answers to that question are often met with protest and even hostility by other parents who fear and loathe the very concept of institutional care. That tension appears to be present in a Milton Georgia where city council zoning change to permit development of a facility to provide assisted living care for autistic adults faced what 11alive.com described as "ardent" opposition
"A city council meeting Monday night became the center of a hot-button debate about the treatment of those with autism.
The Milton City Council approved the rezoning of a chunk of Deerfield Parkway to become a transitional facility for adults with autism -- including a vocational school for students more than 18 years of age and an assisted living facility called Watercolors Transition with 72 studios.
But it didn't come without ardent opposition from advocates and parents in the autism community, who spoke out against the project.
"It is ripe for abuse and neglect," said Rita Young, Director of Public Policy and Education for AADD, "and for the behaviors to really escalate."
Several parents said they found the idea counter-productive, essentially encouraging those with autism to turn away from the rest of the society. One added, "I find it offensive."
But Rick Swanson, the architect of the facility that would be among the first of its kind nationally, says the research he's done -- including numerous interviews with those in the autism community -- has found massive support for the project, some of which came from supporters in Milton Monday evening."