Programs for Autistic Adults 18+

Notes from August 17th - Jay Cross - Autism Resource Center

Autism Resource Center of Kansas City

Overview:

• A Pre-Vocation program — works with local businesses to provide meaningful employment to adults 18+ with Autism
• There are 29 day programs in Kansas City Metro and none of them have BCBAs or OTs on staff for adults with Autism
• Supported Employment model (similar to Sherwood Autism Center)
• Partnered with Lifetime Fitness to employ adults with autism while their parents worked out

Funding History:

• Initially worked with Down Syndrome Innovations (DSI)
• Then Church of the Resurrection (95th and Antioch) offered a Mon/Wed program
• Now privately financed; Jay working to diversify funding
• Currently in application process to become approved Pre-Vocational program with Kansas Medicaid

Program Details:

• Services on Tuesday/Thursday
• Building located on 87th and I-35
• Offers: Prevocation training, social skills therapy, health & wellness training
• Staff: 3 BCBAs, 1 OT, 1 SLP (will look for PT next year)
• Target: Adults with Level 2 autism (mid to high functioning)
• Business partners: Turnstyles thrift shop, furniture store in Grandview, Element Gym (79th and Quivira), farm on 159th and Quivira
• Unlike Farmer's House, they will not have a target titration term