Can the SF-Bay Area become a model for Autism services?

Post Reply New Topic

Hello,

An article on Autism in Silicon Valley LINK: 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?' provided an assessment of the Autism Spectrum, as well as the need for potential resources in the Silicon Valley Region.

LINK: http://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-research/

The article was written by 'NeuroTribes' book author 'Steve Silberman.'

Steve Silberman's article, and book "broke the ice" so to speak; yet the main focus also involves the efforts of Ron Huff of the California Department of Developmental Services. Have Ron Huff's efforts focused on defining, developing, and supporting specific Autism services geared towards Aspergers?

Have the efforts of Steve Sliberman, and Ron Huff allowed the SF-Bay Area to increasingly become a model for developing Autism Asperger resources?

Is there contact information for Mr. Huff? It's somewhat surprising that Mr. Huff is not involved in consulting, on speaking tours; as Mr. Huff's efforts are valuable in boosting resources for a grossly underserved Asperger community.

Mr. Huff, and Mr. Silberman themselves are encouraged to post on..........WrongPlanet!

Thank-you

I don't see this as as scalable. It is a money issue. You can find autism services where there is lots of money--where two parents with good paying jobs is common, not a rarity.

The article 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?' and the book 'NeuroTribes' mainly focused on potential resources for adults.

Steve Silberman's book, and article seemed to "break the ice so to speak" in boosting the development of support services concerning Aspergers.

For example, Aspergers often presents difficulties with social skills; hence the need for professional services acting as navigators in such matters as purchasing a vehicle, assisting with paperwork for health care benefits, as well as the process of renting an apartment.

Potential examples of specific professional services appear to be accountants, and notaries offering concierge services at affordable fees in navigating those "tricky" transactions that are a part of life!
life!

Any specific examples of professional services offering concierge-like services?

The SF-Bay Area appears "ahead of the curve" in considering/applying approaches to serve the Aspergers community. Yet, the Boston Metro Area is home to another potential model: 'The Asperger Association of New England' http://www.aane.org

Thank-you

Silicon Valley is very rich and gentrified to the point most people can't afford to live within 100 miles of it seems, I don't think you can really model all too much of it to anywhere else unfortunately. More services would be nice but I'm not counting on them developing especially not in my state.

Thanks to the Internet, we can glean examples, and correspond with key people in the SF-bay Area, and agencies such as 'The Asperger Association of New England' in the Boston area.

The even more concrete approaches would be to locate professional services e.g., accountants, notaries that offer services of face-to-face presence for transactions to advise, witness, navigate, etc. those tricky transactions; hence the concept of concierge services (for lack of a better term).

In order to locate reputable professional services offering concierge-like services, ask trusted family, friends, colleagues, and even agencies concerned with Autism Spectrum disorders. If nobody is aware of such services (as has been my personal experience), bring this discussion thread to their attention!

Concrete examples of experiences (esp. positive) with appropriate resources can boost motivation to take action that gets results; a much needed sentiment on.......WrongPlanet.

With the availability of WrongPlanet, we have opportunities to read, and contribute to those concerns important to Aspergers, and at the same time help others, and ourselves (however humble the efforts and results). Yet, after awhile, posting, and reading content can become an increasingly futile exercise in semantic gymnastics!

What? San Fransicko? San Franpsycho? Where the mentally ill are free to walk the streets? The whole place is a model for a psych ward with the patients running the asylum. You tell me if that's a model for autism services*

*I don't regard autism as necessarily a mental illness, so take that for what it's worth when it comes to SF. I would think that autistics would be better served either among a functioning community of their own or partnering with NTs in coming to a mutual understanding of how to work together. SF has a history of being outside the norm, which might be ok for some artists, musicians, and heroin addicts. If you struggle with adapting to the NT world, I'm not sure I understand how living in an area known to be somewhat detached from reality is really going to help...

...but that's none of my buisiness.

The documentary 'San Francisco 2.0' (LINK at bottom of post) presents how living costs in SF have become prohibitive, mainly on account of TECH. industry money further driving-up living costs! Personally, from visiting SF (even before the TECH. boom), I enjoyed SF as a place to visit, not to live.

The original post pointed to an article on Autism in Silicon Valley 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?' provided an assessment of the Autism Spectrum, and need for services in the Silicon Valley Region; a region that is home to many TECH. people with Aspergers. Autism in Silicon Valley article: http://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-research/

The article was written by 'NeuroTribes' book author 'Steve Silberman.'

Steve Silberman's article, and book focused on the efforts of Ron Huff of the California Department of Developmental Services. Ron Huff's efforts focused on defining, developing, and supporting specific Autism services geared towards Aspergers.

It's seems that the efforts of both Steve Sliberman, and Ron Huff might allow the SF-Bay Area to increasingly become a model for developing Autism Asperger resources!

LINK: Documentary 'San Francisco 2.0' review: http://sfist.com/2015/09/29/sfist_revie ... 0_on_h.php

NOTE: On the Autism-Spectrum in Silicon Valley, the BOOK 'NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity' offers details.

ADDENDUM NOTE: On the Autism-Spectrum in Silicon Valley, the BOOK 'NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity' offers details.