Pennsylvania program works to provide services to adults with autism

From The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa.:

During his school years, Darryl Hamlin (pictured) received treatment for ADHD, adjustment disorder and depression.

Sometimes he was labeled a "bad kid," his mother, Karin Haag (pictured) said.

It wasn't until her son was in high school that he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a highly functional form of autism.

"My stuff's mostly social," said Hamlin, now 25. "I like being left alone."

After graduation, it was difficult to find sufficient services for Hamlin, who has a high IQ but difficulties with communication and confrontation.

"He was happy to be graduating," his mother said. "He's very bright but finding now what's he going to do was challenging."

Hamlin has worked at the Adams-Hanover Counseling Services and lives on his own in Susquehanna Township. In July, he began participating in the Adult Community Autism Program, a joint venture between Keystone Autism Services and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Autism. Now working to serve adults in Cumberland, Dauphin and Lancaster counties, it is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and in the nation.

For children who have been diagnosed with autism, there is no shortage of services available. Early intervention, intermediate units, developmental and behavioral services, Medicaid, family-based mental health services, residency placements and outpatient programs are just some of the options -- until that child turns 21.

"The face of autism, a lot of times, looks like children," said Karen Anthony, supports coordinator for the Adult Community Autism Program and the mother of a 25-year-old with autism.

"You don't outgrow autism," said Drue Robinson, chief operating officer of Keystone Autism Services. "We tend to forget that you still have autism at 21. You still have autism at 45, at 60."

The program, which will initially serve 200 individuals ages 21 and older, is an all-inclusive program that provides behavioral health and medical services, Robinson said. Participants apply through the Bureau of Autism Services, part of the state Department of Public Welfare.

The program is for those who require less than 16 hours of support per day.

"There is no typical person with autism," said Edward Toyer, director of clinical services. And so, there is no standard format for services offered through ACAP.

"It's person-centered versus service-centered," said Gen Harper, behavioral health specialist. The services are unique to each participant, who works with trained community support and master's-level professionals toward a goal. Participants may want to clean their apartments, learn to drive or use the public transportation system.

"We can really adjust these services on a day-to-day basis," Toyer said. "Whatever it is that will help someone head toward that beacon, that's what we're going to do."

For Hamlin, that might mean using his love of books and video to volunteer at the Whitaker Center, working on applications to study sociology in college and meeting people.

"There was literally a twinkle in his eye at the thought [of volunteering]," Harper said.

"One of the expected outcomes of our program is that parental stress decreases," Toyer said.

Karen Anthony's son Mark, although not enrolled in the program, has lived independently in Hershey for three years and worked at the Hershey headquarters for seven.

"I think he's much happier, and as a parent, you want to see your kid on their own," she said. "All they need is a little bit of support."