There is no denying that 2024 has been a big year of growth for VALLEYLIFE with the rollout of several notable new projects, opportunities to collaborate with new partners, and new Members and staff joining the organization. One of the most ambitious and exciting initiatives of 2024 is the start of our ASPIRE Autism Program.
Here at VALLEYLIFE, we have the unique privilege of working with so many incredible neurodiverse individuals, including several Members who are on the autism spectrum. Over the years, we have seen a growing need for more specialized services to better serve individuals with autism and are determined to do our part to address that need.
The ASPIRE Program, currently spearheaded by Daniel Haywood, Senior Program Manager in VALLEYLIFE’s residential department, uses a tiered structure to provide support to Members on the autism spectrum with co-occurring diagnoses. The goal is for Members to move up through the program, with each of the three tiers aiding in the progression toward independence. In collaboration with Arizona Autism United (AZA United), VALLEYLIFE staff have and will continue to receive specialized training to improve the support provided to Members across the spectrum.
“VALLEYLIFE has developed high-quality programs in Residential, Day Services, Vocational, and Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) settings,” said Haywood. “Working within these programs and developing VALLEYLIFE’S ASPIRE Program has truly been an inspirational endeavor.”
According to Haywood, as diagnoses become more accurate, it is apparent just how limited the resources are for individuals with neurodiversity. It is common for neurodivergent people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to have co-occurring diagnoses that impact their day-to-day lives and require multiple services. Often, finding services that work together towards a common goal, complement each other, and are in-person can be hard to find.
“VALLEYLIFE’S ASPIRE Program intends to collaborate and combine services to meet those various needs,” Haywood said. “Throughout the program, our team of providers will clinically evaluate each Member’s needs, and our specifically trained staff will focus on the Member’s pursuit for independence.”
With it only being a few months since it began, VALLEYLIFE hopes to continue to grow the program to provide additional services specialized for Members with autism. Additional plans are in the works to integrate the Day and Vocational services by establishing an autism-focused day program as well as assistance with employment.
For more information about the ASPIRE Program, we’ve provided a breakdown of the three different tiers.
“Be You”
The first tier, titled “Be you,” kickstarted the program earlier this year by converting the Marconi group home into an autism-focused residential setting for young adults with autism. With the use of environmental enrichment, the team is creating a welcoming and energetic home where people who have severe autism and a lower skillset can live fulfilled lives in a group setting. Marconi Members receive Applied Behavioral Analysis training, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to best support them in reaching personal development milestones. The use of communication devices, visual aids, and activity-based learning are a priority in supporting the members who live at Marconi.
“Motivate”
For members who have more moderate Autism and a medium skillset, “Motivate,” the program’s second tier will build on the progress from tier one by incorporating vocational services and educational classes. This is where staff will begin working with Members to acquire more skills to help develop independence and become more responsible for themselves. VALLEYLIFE’s 39th Avenue group home is currently being renovated to function as the home for “Motivate” Members and is projected to be complete by the end of summer 2024.
“Moving Forward”
The program’s final tier, “Moving Forward,” will be designed to assist individuals with autism and a high skillset in furthering the development of their independence. Members will focus on self-advocacy-based learning, practice and enhance skills to manage a household, meet their medical needs, gain employment, manage money, and build relationships with the community. Being that the ASPIRE Program is still in its infancy, further details and a projected start date for the final tier have yet to be determined.
Keep an eye out for future posts, as we hope to post updates as the program continues to evolve.
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