A. Hoffman represented Raymond’s autism very well in his stereotyped and ritualistic behaviour; his literal-minded use of language; his problems, frustration and occasional panic in coping with change. Even his flair at the gaming tables of Las Vegas illustrated the special, focused abilities that a few autistic people have with math, music, or representational art. But each adult with autism is really distinctively different—in the sum of each person’s neurological impairments, (sometimes) notable abilities, and life experiences. Recognizing the individuality of adults with autism has led GSA to encourage person-centred plans. As empirical research confirms, the more significant the needs, the more individualized the supports have to be.

A. GSA was incorporated a not-for-profit charity in mid-1980 with a focus on the needs of adolescents and adults who have autism. Organized by members of the local chapter of the provincial organization now known as Autism Society Ontario which is mainly concerned with early identification of and education and treatment of young autistic children, its past roles were in research, information-sharing, and advocacy.

A. GSA responded to the finding that no other charitable or non-profit housing organizations in our region were able to help people with a handicapping condition to enjoy longterm occupancy of their own homes and to have choices in the people with whom they would live and spend their time. GSA’s new role also responds to the current lack of social housing funds which used to subsidize living situations for people with disabilities who have low incomes, and to the plight of adults with autism who have been discharged in the wholesale closing of institutions. GSA also encourages the roles of families, friends and neighbours as "natural social supports." Please see the GSA leaflet.

1. A few very able adults manage to live by themselves, some holding jobs and sometimes helped by the social housing subsidies that used to be available.
2. Some younger adults live with their families, perhaps helped by adequate day programs and occasional respite.
3. Many adults with autism were the very last persons left in "institutions" until the wholesale closing of these provincial facilities in the 1990s.
4. Perhaps a quarter of autistic adults live in group homes of 4-6 residents, usually mixed with others who have various developmental challenges, and supported by relays of paid staff.
5. A very small proportion may be in group or individual situations designed to help them cope with their autism, but until GSA there were no such services in our region of Ontario.

Q. How can we describe the essence of what GSA offers?

A combination of:

1. support to a vulnerable person to enjoy stable, longterm occupancy of home by helping with financial management and safe maintenance;
2. recognition of focus person’s support cluster/group/circle/network of family and friends who actually implement most of the day-to-day details, with
3. creative use of "natural social support people (such as homesharers) as well as paid staff.

1. A creative response to a) the closing of institutions by providing housing support for vulnerable individuals, and b) to the loss of public funds which used to subsidize social housing and make it possible for people with disabilities to finance housing.
2. An attempt to bring reality to what can be mere rhetoric about "community living."
3. Home forms the core of most people’s lives and are vital to the economy. If a home is important for us all, it is even more important for people with special needs who may have little else—no absorbing and fulfilling job, no car, no dollars for travel.
4. A home of one’s own offers continuity, identity, and a sense of ownership in an existence that otherwise, would involve constant change (turnover of paid staff).
5. Benefits are social as well as economic. Homesharers provide company, support to maintain skills and a sense of purpose in living.
6. For people who need full-time support, homesharing is cost-effective, perhaps half the cost of having paid staff.

Essence of homesharing—an exchange of support services for low-cost but good-quality accommodation. This living arrangement has taken off in US and UK as a way of supporting seniors to continue living in their own homes. Also used to support the physically disabled and people with AIDS. GSA’s service is very new in our region of Ontario, but there are models in the greater Toronto area and Kingston.

A. As well as attending to the legal framework for its new focus, GSA now owns a house in Guelph for a young man with autism. He does not speak and has problems taking the initiative with small and large tasks of all kinds. But with training, good routines and encouragement, he can perform well in helping to look after his home and in various forms of what he calls "real work." He presses metal parts in a small workshop, does copy typing and makes picture communication symbols on his computer for himself and other people with communication challenges, and is experienced in collating various types of mail-out projects, including some for U of G units. Other special features of his life include:

-food allergies, environmental sensitivities, a special diet (alternatives to wheat, dairy and sugar), no drugs

-need for exercise, with regular walks with his Golden Retriever, workouts and swims at the U of G Athletics Centre, and yoga at the Evergreen Centre

-spacious house and neighbourhood carefully chosen to be his longterm home, after earlier unhappy experiences in group settings. He has lived in his home for the past 21 months and already is well accepted in his neighbourhood—among other things asked to be block captain for the Neighbourhood Watch.

The young man had a central role in creating his person-centred plan using facilitated communicating. Contrary to stereotypes about autism, he does not want isolation but friends—people to talk to him, to encourage and stimulate his abilities, work with him, share his life. He has no family beyond his (aging) parents. At present he has a tutor on weekdays, but needs more friends to share his life.

He is now ready for others to share his house and life. Some homesharing plans have only one homesharer supporting an individual. In GSA’s first house, there is room for up to five homesharers. They will be selected, trained and monitored by members of the young man’s support group. Sharing of the responsibilities by five homesharers will avoid burnout and allow each person to combine full-time work or study with a comfortable and responsible home life.

Various kinds of people may have potential to be homesharers (see brochure). For some it may be an opportunity to try out capabilities in various fields of human service. Specialists in nutrition could learn from new experiences with special diets. Kinesiology students could see the benefits of exercise for the movement disorders involved in autism.

Email: ebloomfi@uoguelph.ca