"Merced teen starts home for Asperger's" By Scott Jason, Merced Sun-Star
"Dave Marsh told his mom last year that he'd like to start a support home for people who, like him, have Asperger's syndrome. She figured her 17-year-old son meant when he grew up. Marsh quietly continued to research similar programs, sketch plans and brainstorm ideas to establish a nonprofit group.
"He wanted to do it now. In the past year, Asperger's Supported Housing, or ASH, has gained momentum. Marsh registered the name, set up a checking account, raised enough money to apply for nonprofit status and found a vacant home that could be used for the program.
"Things just sort of happened and started falling into place," he said, standing in the room of the house that he hopes will be his office. The house is ready. He's just looking for those with the disorder who can afford $700 to $750 in rent, which includes utilities and food...."
EDITED TO ADD:
After reviewing the things that we posted in the thread (including myself), it seems to me that we may have focused on the disabled aspect, i.e. all the problems, of AS living in a shared house. But it seems like the idea is nevertheless kind of intriguing in some ways. There is so much we're-such-a-problem-to-live-with stuff we were programmed with by our families. Have we internalized that negative assessment of how difficult we are from an NT perspective? Some of those difficulties just aren't relevant to AS roommates. To try to focus on some positives, I made a top ten list:
A (hypothetical) "Top Ten Reasons Why An AS House Idea is Cool"
10. You are not alone, but in a group of people who generally try to help each other
9. No demands that you engage in constant bonding and stroking rituals you don't understand and don't want to make time for
8. Relationship rules are concrete (don't touch my bike or I will meltdown) and don't involve maintaining others' egos and delusions
7. People who will do things with you, with your own perspective, help you figure out how to do things
6. Finally, people who will not brush off your need to talk about, nitpick and analyze an encounter or conversation you didn't understand
5. Good chance house will have talented people, and a house with music, art, history, science and learning in it
4. Pool time and resources for group meals that are healthy and keep you on a mood-stabilizing AS diet (no gluten, etc)
3. Become instant focus for typically disconnected AS in your area, with a list of contacts, a network of friends and supportive families
2. Meet, in your roommates, other AS girls and men to be friends with and exchange info about coping with traits, issues
1. Roommates who get what you're going through and don't judge you, demonize you for your missteps and meltdowns.
Last edited by ephemerella on 20 Dec 2008, 5:57 am, edited 3 times in total.