Area Help for Asperger’s Adults
NoVA’s Jewish Social Service Agency, Jewish Community Center win award for filling void
By Natalie Kaar
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke conservatively estimates that Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism affecting a person’s ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others, plagues two out of every 10,000 children. The NINDS also suggests that AS problems continue into adulthood. What’s really troubling: Mollie Katz of the Jewish Social Service Agency says, “Many with Asperger’s … immediately fall into an ‘abyss’ when they leave high school at age 21 and lose their publicly funded support services.” Fortunately, the D.C.-Metro area is now an exception.
Three years ago, JSSA’s Fairfax office, partnering with the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, created a ground-breaking social program, Going Places!, to fill the void. It’s earned national recognition, chosen as a merit finalist in the ’10 Mutual of America Awards; and due to its success in NoVA, the program has been replicated in JSSA’s Rockville office.
According to JSSA social worker Dawn Kaye, club leader, there are now three different groups: one for teens, one for ages 18-29, and one for ages 30 and up. Friendship-building activities range from art projects to swimming, mini golf, dinner outings and museum trips, with each outing supervised by agency staff. The response for each group according to Kaye: “outstanding.”
For more details, visit www.jssa.org.
(March 2011)
One Response
Carol Says:
February 27th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
February 27th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I’m pleased to read about the program described for AS/HFA for persons over 21. I am trying to move from CT to the DC Metro area, either MD or VA. Where are these programs? I’d like some geographical steering info before I make job decisions and decide where to live. My son has refused to join some of these kinds of social groups unless he goes and finds there are not too many quirky types. He superficially appears better, but would like help to bridge into some ‘neurotypical’ situations such as book clubs in the community. He is interested in working in computers and studying to get some certifications. Are there any companies locally that have recognized the superior intellect and shown interest in hiring bright persons who would be an asset with a little mort training and understanding?