Community Service & Support

Community Services & Support / Recommendations / Current Activities in GA

Definition

Community Services & Supports promote independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion into the community for children, youth and adults with autism.

Quality Indicators / Problems / Data Drivers

QI 7.1: Children, youth, and adults with autism and their families have access to services and supports that promote safety, learning, and independence at home. Examples include in-home behavior supports, affordable child care, and home instruction in self-help skills.

Problem: In-home services that provide coaching for children and youth to become independent in self-help skills and behavior regulation are not available.

Data Driver: Parents of children and youth with ASD often experience difficulty accessing in-home support services.28

QI 7.2: Children, youth, and adults with autism and their families have access to services and supports that promote safety, learning, and independence in the community. Examples include recreational opportunities and camps.

Problem: Children, youth, and adults with autism do not have reliable access to organized community supports and recreational programs with well trained staff. There are few childcare centers, after-school programs, and adult recreation centers with staff trained to work with children with autism.

Data Driver: Parents of children with ASD, as well as youth and adults with autism, often experience difficulty accessing community support services.28

QI 7.3: Professional programs link with community agencies to assist families to access supports and services needed by families of children with autism, including affordable childcare.

Problem: Parents cannot work because they do not have reliable after-school childcare, and when available, care for children with autism often costs more than for their other children.

Data Driver: Families with a child with autism are seven times more likely to report that child care problems affected employment than other families. 29

Last Updated 03/07/14