My name is Alex Gargarita. I’m not a professional lobbyist or policy wonk – just an autism parent and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. This is how I realized my voice matters and so does yours. The state of…
I began working as an Occupational Therapist in 2005 and had my first experience working with people who have acquired disabilities in Adult Rehabilitation. I then worked with pediatrics and children with developmental disabilities. After seeing patients in their homes,…
Have you ever thought about building your own supported living community for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DDs)? Maybe you’ve considered this idea in passing and then thought, “Where would I even begin with such a massive undertaking?” While a project…
When you notice a cute little girl with Down Syndrome in Target or a young man on the autism spectrum excitedly flapping his hands in GameStop, do you ever consider where these individuals will live in 30 years? Only 13%…
Words matter. They help us understand each other and the things around us. Sometimes well-intentioned people do not know how to talk about disabilities and accidentally use language that is offensive. The common words of today may become offensive at…
If you or a loved one has an intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) and/or autism, it is imperative that you consider the following five realities that impact the future of available support services and housing. 1. Without access to affordable housing, people…
Tiny home skeptics are asking, “Who would ever want to live in a 350 square-foot space?” As evidenced by the 40,000 attendees of the last Tiny House Jamboree in Colorado Springs, a lot of people! I am a host home provider…
Person-centered planning is more than just a buzzword, it is a system shift that puts the desires and life goals of a person in the center of a support system. Historically and today, people with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities…
This article is Part II of a series. Please see Who Moves? Part I for background discussion leading to this article. The Shared Living Guide As state developmental disability agencies are beginning to replace the terms Adult Foster Care (AFC)…
The following hypothetical situation is based on observations from a recent visit to an Independent Apartment Community, Casa de Amma: Imagine walking into your apartment lobby after a long day ... Your neighbors greet you by name as they sift through…