By Kenneth Books
Kids with autism have a tough road. But what about when those kids grow up to be adults with autism?
A group of parents of children with autism are working to provide a home for their offspring when the parents are no longer here to take care of them.
The Ground Up Project has been in the works for about a year. Its founders describe it as a “think tank project. “One challenge is what do we do next,” said project member Kendra Brownlee. “What about when the kids are adults?” She said they examined facilities for grownups with autism and “what we saw, we didn’t like. There was nothing to hope for.”
While the project is in its infancy, steps have been taken to gain sponsors. The group met with Okaloosa County Commissioner Mel Ponder to describe their hopes and dreams. “We spoke to him on a Thursday, met him on a Friday and we presented it to the commissioners on a Tuesday,” said member Brianna O’Brien. “We’re trying to schedule a follow-up meeting,” said member Eric Hambright.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. “Even when a child accomplishes something he didn’t do in the past, it opens up new challenges,” said Hambright. If they’re successful in creating this facility, he said, “there will be plenty of demand.”
Two things that the project requires are money and land. The former will be addressed in part initially with an upcoming fundraiser. A Charity Yard Sale and Shrimp Boil will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m. At the Emerald Coast Autism Center, 80 E. College Blvd., Niceville, on the Northwest Florida State College Campus. Donations of items for sale are being solicited. To donate, call (850) 225-3269. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 3.
The group’s concept includes not only a standard facility with plenty of amenities and first-class care, but a community of tiny homes, each suited to individual residents’ needs and desires. According to the group’s presentation to the commissioners, each facility will have a support staff onsite 24/7, along with security measures on multiple levels. Each cul de sac of individual homes will be centered around an activities center, furthering residents’ bonds with the community, sense of belonging and opportunity to be socially active. “The ultimate goal of our organization is to create a space where each individual has every support system in place required to lead a healthy and happy life, nurtured by friends,” the group stated in its presentation to the commissioners.
“To my knowledge, between Pensacola and Panama City, there’s nothing like we’re contemplating,” said Lisa Pennell. “We’re trying to establish a real community.”
“We’re looking for a facility that will enable adults to live a little more freely,” said Brownlee.
“We want to ensure people like us don’t have to worry about people not doing what we planned to do,” Hambright said.
