Episode One: The Service Cliff, Gendered Care, and Knowledge Gap

Send us Fan MailThis episode introduced the realities of caregiving for an autistic adult at the transition from K-12 mandated support services to the fragmented adult services landscape. We explored the service cliff, when services end. We examined how caregiving is often placed upon mothers, and we also looked at research that found most caregivers have a knowledge gap about supports and services that are available after high school.Here are some helpful links:Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN):https://autisticadvocacy.org/Drexel Autism Institute (A.J. Drexel Autism Institute):https://drexel.edu/autisminstitute/Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Adult Application (Massachusetts):  https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-eligibility-formsDepartment of Developmental Services (DDS) Adult Autism Resource Guide (Massachusetts):This is the link to the resource guide we discussed in our episodehttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/518bb7cde4b0d1e7bd9c37b5/t/5c58694253450a702c533881/1549297988292/DDS+NE+Region_2019+Adult+Autism+Resource+Guide_Final_020419.pdfResources to Help with Services Navigation for Every StateThank you for tuning into Flourishing: Caregiving Autistic Adults Podcast series. Please take a moment to review the attached resources that may assist you in navigating your caregiving responsibilities beyond age 22. The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) is located in Massachusetts; however, they offer their support nationally, to every state. The organization understands the caregiving journey, and many are caregivers themselves.Here are Some AANE Programs That Pertain to The Service CliffBenefit Navigation and Guidance: AANE is aware of the supports and benefits by each state and can provide you with this information. They also offer a free webinar on finding public benefits for autistic adults and can tailor the information to your specific needs.Support Groups and Coaching: AANE offers support groups and individualized help for the specific issues you are facing.Contact Information: AANE: www.aane.org85 Main Street, Suite 3, Watertown, MA 02472(UDL and Situated Learning Theory Support this; add it to each episode's webpage for easy accessibility, starting where the caregiver is.)ReferencesBishop-Fitzpatrick, L., Dababnah, S., Baker-Ericzén, M. J., Smith, M. J., & Magaña, S. M. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder and the science of social work: A grand challenge for social work research. Social Work in Mental Health, 17(1), 73–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2018.1509411Dembosky, J. W., Heckert, D., Boser, S., & Migyanka, J. M. (2023). Shouldering the burden: Intensive mothering and autism. Family Relations, 73(2), 807–825. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12943Dudley, K. M., Klinger, M. R., Meyer, A., Powell, P., & Klinger, L. G. (2018). Understanding service use and needs among adults with ASD: The importance of living situation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(2), 556–568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3729-0Flanagan, A. Y., Cola, M., Yu, N., Peele, H., Dicette, K., Hicks, G., Pelella, M., King-Pointer, A., Owens, J., Truong, D. M., Hauptmann, A., Pacheco, J., Russell, A., Lee, A., Schillinger, S., Covello, M., Lyons, M., Solórzano, R., Turnacioglu, S.,...Parish-Morris, J. (2024). Policing black autistic children: A qualitative ap