Adults: Age 30 and over - CA Regional Center system.

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Hello,

Why have experiences with the CA Regional Center system received very little mention here on Wrong Planet?

In 2015, the CA Regional Center system extended eligibility to include clientele with mild developmental disabilities e.g., High-Functioning Autism.

I don't know why either. I was in the Regional Center program for a very long time, they help me, but I didn't know about my Asperger back then.

Because most people here are not from California.

I'm guessing that it's because those of us from California are a minority on this site. I will say that I got my Asperger's diagnosis through the Regional Center system, so I can't really say anything negative about them.

The California State Regional Center system is one example (cited from my own personal experiences).

If you live in large metropolitan areas outside of CA, there might be resources which at least try to understand the needs of adults with High-Functioning Autism. Experiences outside of CA are welcome here!

LINK to discussion in the ‘In-Depth Adult-Life Discussion Forum’ provides further details, and might offer familiar examples applicable to resources outside of California.

The ‘In-Depth Adult-Life Discussion Forum’ is not so active; as discussions don't get "lost in the shuffle" so quickly. Hence, experiences with services (both in and outside of CA.) are welcome in the LINK: ‘Any Experiences with the CA Regional Center System?’ (Post #7 briefly explains common struggles):

LINK: viewtopic.php?t=336530

I went to the Napa Regional Center for an evaluation. They contracted an outside shrink to evaluate me. He gave me the ADOS. It seemed silly and more suitable for kids. I was in my early thirties at the time. He didn't really give me an IQ test, just quickly went through some Raven's Matrices. He mixed up details from my history and wrote the false information in my report.

I felt like they wasted my time. I'd say the regional center is only useful to severely affected people or people who have intellectual disability. He actually used the fact that I smiled at him as evidence that I didn't have autism. Ridiculous.

Starkid

Oh yes, I've had those disappointing experiences with assessments! I'm sorry about of your experience. Do you still meet with a Regional Center advisor every three-months?

In 2015, CA Regional Centers' eligibility requirements were changed to include clientele least impacted by their disabilities e.g., High-Functioning Autism.'

With the new eligibility requirements, I was asked to apply for services. The therapist who conducted my assessment is both a wonderful person and Therapist! She's involved with the local Autism community, and is very receptive towards High-Functioning Autism.

Some of the tests were well.....very elementary i.e., I chose to "bite my tongue" when I wanted to ask (with humor) "who thought-up these tests?" or "with all of your experience, it 'comes-down' to conducting these silly tests!" The other tests (largely done on computer) were at times, quite challenging!

After I was accepted for services, It didn't take long to find-out that the CA Regional Centers' non-governmental vendors (enlisted to deliver 'Independent Living Support' (ILS) services) appear way too slow in understanding the needs of clientele with High Functioning Autism.

Hence, I'm undertaking the majority of the "leg work" to educate my ILS provider of their roles. When will ILS services get into accord with a clientele who have "least restrictions to independence??"

I noted your location was Napa (in proximity to the SF Bay Area). It's my understanding that the SF Bay Area is "ahead of the curve" in understanding the Autism Spectrum, and hence may yield resources experienced with Aspergers. Are you aware of specific examples of resources? Have you considered involvement (with or without the support of the Napa Regional Center) with resources?

The Therapist who conducted my assessment understands how easy it is to get discouraged, and that taking those "first steps out of our comfort zones" are the hardest steps. If the 'Bay Area' has a good diversity of resources, take those "first steps" to take advantage of these resources.

Good luck!

Thank you for posting this! I had no idea (and had issues with the regional center when my son was little). I have searched in vain for support for Aspergers/HFA adults in Santa Cruz county.

No. Since I obviously don't have classic autism, I was told that I'm not on the spectrum and denied services.

This was before 2015 so I couldn't have benefited from the changed rules. At this point, I'm fairly sure that I am not clinically autistic, so I will not be seeking any resources that are specifically for people on the spectrum. I rely on another diagnosis when I need things related to disability.


Why did they ask you to do that? I mean how did they even know you if you weren't already receiving services?

My family advised that I apply for Regional Center services!

I advocate, without Regional Center support, becoming acquainted with adults concerned with Aspergers (on a more or less informal basis). From my personal experience, I've had terrific NeuroTypicals (NT) who empathized with people on the Autism Spectrum. Yet, as is too often the problem, "quality people are too hard to come by, AND KEEP!"

As it currently stands, my Regional Center advisor mentioned that an ILS provider may help "break the ice" in getting acquainted so to speak. Yet, a part of why I'm hesitating to fully acknowledge ILS is that potential acquaintances are may be reluctant to distance themselves from the Regional Center environment.

In short, it's best to use ILS services for the trickier aspects of everyday-life that periodically require face-to-face consultations.