Hiram Farm is another US farm for people with Autism, located on 120 acres in Hiram, Ohio. The program began serving six adults with autism in June of 2009 and welcomed its twentieth participant into the program in April 2011…
…Socialization has brought many of the farm workers out of their mental shells. [Farm manager, Ally Talbott’s] thoughts turn to one client who always arrived grumpy and found it hard to focus on a single chore. ‘‘Now he’s always cheerful and he’ll compromise and be willing to try new things,’’ she says.
Here are some videos showing the farm’s progress
(sources: Hiram Farm Living and Learning Community ; Adults with autism find meaningful work on Ohio farm )
Another organisation located in Ohio is the Lettuce Work Foundation . With a motto of “Harvesting Hope for Adults with Autism”, Lettuce Work is dedicated to providing vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with Autism…
…Located near New Albany, Ohio, Lettuce Work specializes in growing produce that will be sold and delivered to local schools, hospitals, supermarkets and restaurants, and will generate revenue used to support the company’s mission: to build life-long independence for autistic adults by improving their work and communication skills.
Lettuce Work is an approved agency provider for the Ohio Developmentally Disabled system and is authorized to provide adult vocational rehabilitation, adult day habilitation, enclave and community employment, and transportation services…
Here is a short video made by the Lettuce Work Foundation : Autism - Lettuce Work - Frequency
(source: Adult Autism | Lettuce WorkAbout Lettuce Work )
Another farm for people with Autism, located in northwest Ohio, is Bittersweet Farms .
Aside for Residential Services, Community Living, and Specialised Services, the Whitehouse, Ohio farm also offers a Day Program/Vocational Services:
…Bittersweet also has a day vocational program that offers habilitation programming and skills development to adults and adolescents with autism. The program has a wood shop, ceramic studio, weaving and fabric arts department, a horticulture department with three fully functioning greenhouses, two hoop houses, and several fields of produce, landscaping and janitorial enclaves which work out in the community, kitchen and meal preparation programs, visual arts department, and an animal care program in the barn and pastures…
Here is a video on Bittersweet Farms : Bittersweet Farms - YouTube
Christopher Henry, an Autism Design Specialist, has been to Bittersweet Farms and admires the approach there. He believes that the positive approach there, for example viewing each client’s support plan first in a positive light before considering the negative aspects, results in empowerment for the Autistic individuals there. It also results in staff having many positive solutions in resolving a situation that has degraded to irritation or frustration …
…At Bittersweet Farms, a residential and vocational facility for adults with autism, each staff member is required to know the likes, abilities, dislikes, and disabilities of each person with whom they work. The emphasis, however, is on the likes and abilities. Each support plan lists an individual’s likes before his or her dislikes , and staff are asked to learn them in that order. This emphasis guards against an apparent tendency to focus on what people with disabilities cannot do rather than what they can. Perhaps this tendency arises out of honest intentions to avoid all possible harm, but Bittersweet sees it as counterproductive.If he ever does get frustrated staff members know how to redirect him toward things he enjoys. If staff members only know what he doesn’t like then they will be left scrambling for helpful solutions when he eventually, as we all do, becomes upset …
(sources: BSF: About-us Area Overview ; Designing for Autism: More Able Not Less Disabled | ArchDaily )
In Southwest Ohio, Safe Haven Farms is an organization offering residential, day and community services for individuals on the autism spectrum. Safe Haven Farms was founded by a group of parents who dreamed of seeing their young adult children with autism fulfill their potential - Bittersweet Farms served as their model…
…Dave and Sue … are retired … Like many parents of children with autism, they worried about what would happen to their son when they could no longer care for him.
“There are parts of him that are smart, and parts of him are still very childlike,” Dave … says. Because Jim is easily distracted and works slowly, “he’s never been able to be successfully employed” in the mainstream workforce.
He appeared destined to move into a group home and spend his days in a sheltered workshop doing repetitive, assembly-line work.
“He was OK with that,” his father says. “But it’s such a limited life. Whereas out here, he’s blossoming.”
From a shady spot on the farm property, [Dave and Sue] watched their son drive a tractor, then help volunteers from GE Aviation assemble greenhouses. He’s more verbal and higher functioning than many of the residents, which allows him to hold a paid job as assistant farm manager.
…Like most other parents of the farm’s residents, [Dave and Sue] make frequent visits to the farm. They attend parent committee meetings, serve on the grant-writing committee and help oversee animal care.
“Even if we’re not here, I know Jimmy’s being looked out for by other parents. The staff are wonderful, but I still think you need a check-and-balance system,” Dave … says…
Safe Haven Farms has also been involved with sisters Julie Bodette and Kimberly Buechner’s joint venture, All Things Alpaca, LLC . Alpacas fleece would be used to create bird nesting balls, a product made and sold by All Things Alpaca, LLC . You can read more about it here: http://kathleenbolduc.com/llamas.pdf
(source: Media )
Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch in Cornville, Arizona provides a safe, nurturing environment for adults with autism in a productive, “whole life” ranch setting…
Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch is a place in the country where autistic people can learn to live happy and productive lives. Their days are filled with a balanced mix of work, recreation, learning and spiritual fulfillment. They garden, care for animals, maintain the property, ride, swim, and have many parties and celebrations. We look at life as a learning experience and use every opportunity to enhance language and practical living skills.
Their goal is to integrate all of these things into a unifying whole, so that life is truly as rich and fulfilling as possible within the Ranch family. Once this is accomplished, they can (and do) reach out and become a part of the larger community. The local community is small and supportive and the Ranchers have many opportunities for social integration. Occasionally, if one is so inclined, a job off the ranch may be held. This is not the norm, however, as most of the real work is on the ranch itself.
Here is a video on Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch : Men With Autism Find Relief at Ranch - YouTube
(source: Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch - Autism Source by the Autism Society )
Farmsteads of New England is another not-for-profit organisation catering to the needs of Autistics…
…Farmsteads of New England, describes itself as “a human services agency that has developed an intentional farming community that caters to the needs of people who have autism or other developmental disabilities.” It was founded by a special educator who wanted to create a good work environment for her son, whom she believed could not succeed in a conventional workplace, and whom she did not want to put in a sheltered workshop, where she believed the work would be repetitive and meaningless. Its website emphasizes principles of “least restrictive environment,” “innate value and dignity” and “self-determination.” … FNE is essentially a cluster of rural group homes, with a high staff-to-resident ratio and various day programs in basic self-care, life skills and farm work…
An online video and slide show can be viewed here: Farmsteads of New England
(source: Autist’s Corner: Autism and Intentional Communities )
The Homestead operates a six-acre farm including vegetables and an apple orchard on a campus in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. It is a private, non-profit organization that provides innovative solutions for children and adults with autism, their families and allied professionals…
…Our Campus Residential Program serves 24 adults with autism on our campus and farm in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. These 24 residents live on campus full time and are paid to work on the campus in a variety of capacities. Our campus employees work multiple shifts in a variety of jobs. Many of these positions assist individuals served while they learn to work in our agricultural based vocational program. Employees accompany individuals in the greenhouse and the field helping grow a variety of certified naturally grown produce for our customers. Work hours traditionally run from 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 10 pm and 10 pm to 6 am with a few minor exceptions…
(source: Program Descriptions | The Homestead )
More on The Homestead in Iowa and its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm
Product Types:
About Us www.thehomestead.org
…Practices (our standards for raising or making our products)
Additional Information
(source: http://iowafood.coop/shop/product_list.php?producer_id=th000 )
Mandy’s Special Farm , located in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a nonprofit farm opened in 2000, created for women with Autism Spectrum Disorders, to give them a safe, nurturing place in the country to live…
…It’s a rural kind of paradise, green and peaceful and, for the most part, predictable. Horses and goats meander in the meadow that fronts the farm’s four acres. Turkeys chortle in the barnyard. Hummingbirds spin around sugar-water feeders. Bright cherries drip like rubies from the trees, too small, too sour to savor just yet.
Here is a video on Mandy’s Special Farm : On Star Good Samaritan Road Trip @ Mandy’s Special Farm, Alb - YouTube
(source: ABQjournal.com: Albuquerque Journal login page )
Here is more on Mandy’s Special Farm , with a focus on the Autistic woman who is now in her late 20s for whom the farm is named after
…it was grown with a mother’s love.
The process of turning the idea into a reality was not nearly so simple or direct. [Ruthie], a lawyer, incorporated a nonprofit group and began four years of fundraising, designing and building.
…“I don’t need anything out of this,” [Ruthie] says, “other than to know that she’s being taken care of. The path we have traveled from devastation to seeing her be the happiest person in the world has just been amazing.”
(source: Mandy’s Special Farm Built on Family Love | LexisNexis | Professional Journal archives from AllBusiness.com )
In North Carolina, Carolina Farms is a program that includes three 5-bed homes, one 2-bed home, a potting shed, barn, greenhouse and pool, all situated all situated on 33 acres of farm land in the Millingport community. Carolina Farms were designed for individuals with autism to receive vocational training with regards to growing, harvesting and marketing herbs, flowers and vegetables from the on-site horticultural program…
…GHA, Inc. is the recipient of a 2010 Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Community Seed Grant in the amount of $5,000 to establish The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Vocational Program at Carolina Farms.
This new program will create an on-site horticulture business…
“We are excited to help Carolina Farms develop this entrepreneurial en-deavor for adults with [Autism Spectrum Disorders] and view the program as a role model for the creation of similar programs throughout the United States,” said Linda Walder Fiddle, executive director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation, a national autism organization with the mission to develop, advocate for and support residential, vocational, recreational and educational programs throughout the United States for adults with [Autism Spectrum Disorders].
…Having received this recent grant, GHA has acknowledged this support through its naming the program The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Vocational Program at Carolina Farms.
…Since its inception, the Farm has served as a facility for training, teaching and research purposes and has been toured by visitors from as far as Denmark, Japan and Germany.
Founded by Linda Walder Fiddle, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is named in memory and honor of her son, Danny, whose life inspired the volunteer-run organization’s mission to focus exclusively on adults with [Autism Spectrum Disorders].
“…The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation has enabled GHA to expand upon our vocational efforts agency wide and has assisted in allowing the individuals we serve to reach their fullest potential…”
(source: GHA receives grant for program at Carolina Farms Around Stanly County The Stanly News and Press (Albemarle, NC) )
Originally known as Group Homes for the Autistic, GHA was founded in 1978. It began with the development of a home for children with Autism by parents and professionals in the Albermale, North Carolina area that recognized the need for such services. Today, the local non-profit provides a number of supports to individuals with Autism including residential, vocational, educational, supported employment and community services
…Over the past thirty years, GHA, Inc… has become a worldwide recognized leader, providing quality, community services to meet the unique needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. GHA homes and it’s unique Carolina Farms are used as state, national and international sites for professionals to conduct training and studies of treatment methods and data collection on autism.
[The Foundation for Long Term Care of Aging Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders’] initial goal is to move GHA to the forefront in addressing issues of aging with autism by embedding Senior Care within the scope of its mission. Initial focus will be on acquiring necessary nursing skills and certification, to incorporate nursing care into GHA’s services on an in-home basis. Eventually, we will build a full nursing home. Ultimately, working with universities and organizations like TEACCH, GHA will create a model of best practices. As GHA’s demonstrated success and reputation grow, these will be broadly studied and emulated, benefiting persons with [Autism Spectrum Disorders] throughout the world.
(sources: http://www.banditchippers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=237&itemId=66 ; http://www.lifetimeautismcare.org/LifetimeAutismCare/Welcome.html )
Another center located in North Carolina is the Carolina Living and Learning Center (CLLC)**…
Located on a farm in Pittsboro, North Carolina, the [CLLC] is a part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Division TEACCH. “Located on 79 acres of land just north of Pittsboro, North Carolina, the CLLC currently has one home for 5 adults and a second home for 10 adults with autism. Both homes are certified as Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF-MR) and the primary source of operating funds is Medicaid.”
Residents at the CLLC work on acquiring independent living skills in the communication, social, leisure, vocational and domestic arenas. One unique feature of the CLLC program is that members participate in a mobile landscaping crew. After acquiring landscaping skills working on the farm, members of the crew go out into the community to put these landscaping skills to use while earning money…
(source: http://melissahinchaownby.suite101.com/living_centers_for_autistic_adults-a53783 )
To put the above post into context, TEACCH stands for Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children. It is a Public Health Program available in North Carolina, with the head office located in Chapel Hill, N.C…
…Why do we think TEACCH is a good model to follow
…As parents quite involved in the autistic society activities, we have explored hundreds of methods, going from “recipes” to full blown country wide systems…
…Here are the considerations that were decisive in our choice of TEACCH versus other approaches of autism:
Respect for autistic people difference, whatever the degree of severity of autism
Respect for parents and association of parents in the program as “Co-Therapists”.
Inclusion of parents opinions in decisions regarding younger children and more severely handicapped autistic adults.
Inclusion of autistic people advice to the maximum extent of their possibilities of communication.
Warmth of the professionals, mainly due to the next point
In depth knowledge of autism from all points of view: medical, psychological, educational, social mainstreaming, affective, and yet these professionals remain very humble.
Long experience with testable long term results (Thirty years). Education constituting the backbone of the approach.
Continuous evolution of the teaching techniques based upon University research programs, integrating most recent knowledge to a long experience.
Comprehensive program from early childhood to adult age, from diagnosis of very young children to adult evolution assessment, from low functioning to high functioning.
Transportability of the approach: it could be adapted without problem to the French environment (or any other country). The approach is flexible enough to be adaptable.
Last but not least, our overall impression that autistic people of all ages seemed happy and developing quite well towards a maximum of autonomy according to their individual capacity. This was from our own observation and from what parents told us…
Here is Gary Mesibov, director of Division TEACCH in North Carolina, talking about the differences between TEACCH and various Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approaches…
…AF: Would it be too simplistic to say that the fundamental difference between TEAACH and ABA-Lovaas is that ABA is based on the principle that the child must overcome his autistic characteristics and adapt to the world around him, while TEACCH provides the child with an environment designed to accommodate the characteristics of an autistic child?
GM: Well, of course, the situation is more complex. There are two ways of looking at it. I think there are two important differences between the two approaches One is philosophical: ABA, Lovaas or discrete trial training works on the basis that, with some form of intensive, systematic teaching, you can acquire a “normal” or neurotypical model, I think the word “accommodating” for what TEACCH does might give the false impression that we don’t teach children with autism. Of course we do. Now, I myself am terrible spatially and I have the worst memory ever – and it’s getting worse as I get older! But these are things that children with autism are good at, so we try and enhance their strengths and develop around some of their interests, to try and help them function more comfortably. It’s not a question of accommodating. The difference is what we teach. ABA-Lovaas is teaching the more “normal” model of development and functioning, while we at TEACCH are trying to expand around the differences. Both are looking for development and progress, but the emphases are slightly different. The other big difference between us – and it’s not talked about as frequently as the philosophical difference – is that the major concept behind ABA and discrete trial training is that reinforcement is the main trigger for development and learning. They believe that, if something positive follows a behaviour which is very systematically and precisely taught, then that behaviour is going to increase. Whereas I think that the TEAACH comes more out of the Gestalt tradition, which focuses on meaningfulness and understanding. My argument is that, if a thing makes sense to someone, if they understand it, then it is going to promote their learning more effectively. It’s a real challenge for anyone – especially someone with autism. If you put me up against Dr Lovaas or any ABA person and said: "You have one chance to work with this child and whoever works most effectively wins the battle, " what they would try and in is the most powerful reinforcement, whereas I would try and get a concept to make sense to the child, to communicate understanding. This difference of technique is important .
AF: Do you find that some of the people who have shifted away from the original UCLA approach to Lovaas are moving closer to your approach? I am thinking specifically of Lynn and Robert Koegel, with their emphasis on motivation and pivotal response.
GM: Absolutely., I look at their pivotal response concept and I would probably interpret it in a different way – but I agree entirely that the notion of motivation brings in much more the person’s understanding and the personal connection to what you are teaching. Whereas in the ABA-Lovaas, discrete trial training approach, everyone learns the same thing. Lynn Koegel just did a study that I would have been very proud to have done in which she was trying to develop social interests and skills, around the interests of the children. This is a very strong TEACCH concept. Some of the ABA extensions – and the Koegels are a good example – are closer to what we do than to discrete trial training. They are also doing them in natural environments. ABA is a funny term. One day, I would like to figure out whether structured teaching or TEACCH is ABA! Some of the people doing ABA are working with priorities which are closer to what we are doing. They do it in a natural setting. They do not focus on language but on communication. Lynn Koegel was recently at one of our conferences, and she talked about initiating communication, which is the kind of problem which we worry much more about, because it is such a problem in autism. But I still think that the distinction is between reinforcement and meaningfulness. And yet – and I’ll let you into a secret here! – you can come into our programme and you’ll see people using reinforcements. After all, reinforcement works. We get paid to work, and if we don’t get paid, we don’t work as well. The world operates on that principle. We don’t deny that principle, And the ABA people are focusing more on interests and things that there are meaningful. But there is still a legitimate distinction between TEACCH and ABA-Lovaas. We would look first at meaningfulness, whereas they would look first at reinforcement …
(source: http://www.autism-resources.com/papers/TEACCHN.htm ; Interview with Professor Gary Mesibov )
Another farm program located in North Carolina is Full Spectrum Farms located in the mountains of Cullowhee, N.C…
…We sat down recently with Jane Coburn, the interim director of Full Spectrum Farms, to discuss a little more about the business. “With the recent purchase of 34 acres in Cullowhee’s Wayehutta area, FSF is now able to start expanding its programming to serve more people with autism. We will be expanding our pottery program from one day to two days per week as well as adding a woodworking program and opportunities for people with autism to work in our garden. We have opened a pottery retail shop in Dillsboro and hope to be open on Saturdays and during Dillsboro festivals. It is often difficult for people with autism to find employment in the community. Full Spectrum Farms will be a place where adults with autism can learn skills in pottery, woodworking, crafts, agriculture, small
(source: http://kristinmarie.writersresidence.com/system/attachments/files/5002/original/Profile_-_Full_Spectrum_Farms.pdf )
The idea for the creation of Full Spectrum Farms was inspired by the Carolina Living and Learning Center (CLLC), an integrated vocational and residential program for adults with autism located in Pittsboro, North Carolina (mentioned in an above post)…
Full Spectrum Farms started as an idea by two women from western North Carolina after they visited the [CLLC]… One has a son, who has autism, and he was in a residential treatment program at the Murdoch Center, near Butner, NC. She knew from her son’s experience how beneficial a structured, predictable lifestyle can be for people with autism. At the center her son had found a home that he enjoyed as well as a home that relaxed and challenged him.
The fact that this program was available for limited stays and only for teen residents was the impetus for their visit to the CLLC. Located on 79 acres of land the CLLC vocationally emphasizes a farming and landscaping curriculum and a small baking program. It was the farm aspect that most intrigued them and seemed well suited to western North Carolina. The dream of Full Spectrum Farms was born and soon after a group of parents began meeting to discuss the possibilities.
Seven years and many meetings later, Full Spectrum Farms has made great strides to bridge the gap between the idea and the reality of a farm. This has been accomplished through numerous fundraisers, generous donations and many hours of effort by members and volunteers. The organization is now not only comprised of parents of children with autism, but also people with other autism related experience, business people, teachers, attorneys and other professionals…
(source: About Us )
CooperRiis is another community located in western North Carolina. This time, however, the target group extends beyond those with Autism Spectrum Disorders…
CooperRiis is a specialized residential therapeutic healing farm community for young adults ages 18 and over diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, Asperger’s, depression and/or borderline personality disorder.
With the use of modern psychiatry and psychotherapy, residents receive both individual and group therapy, in addition to family support and education. Utilizing a “menu of services”, residents have use of psycho-educational therapies, access to psychopharmacology, service and work training and nutritional and physical exercise coaching.
The work-training program consists of residents choosing one of six programs to contribute to the community: housekeeping, farming and gardening, maintenance, art barn, kitchen and woodshop.
CooperRiis offers its residents a variety of visual and performing arts including pottery, photography, painting and sculpting and acting. For outdoor recreation, swimming, fishing and hiking are available on the 80 acre farm.
(source: http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2007/pdf/157September07sm.pdf )
More on CooperRiis from the early days (2004) of the 80-acre farm community in the town of Mill Spring, North Carolina:
Dear reader:
An ordinary work day for a resident may begin with Farm work at 9:00 AM, stop at noon for lunch, and resume until dinner time with afternoon and evening special events offered. I have begun with the Farm group and plan to enter the Kitchen work program next week. I feel that Cooper-Riis is a well planned, funded, and executed venture and that it provides me with requisite, delicate accommodation to heal my mental illnesses and prepare me for a fruitful life.Cooper-Riis resident, Chris D .
(source: http://archive.pettrust.org.uk/jointnewsletter/10.pdf )
More on CooperRiis from a mother of a person with illness who founded the farm. As is often the case, a parent’s dissatisfaction with the existing options for their child led to the creation of something new and worthwhile
My Journey began several years ago as my daughter first experienced the anguish of mental illness. Like many who have a family member with a mental illness, I had seen my daughter live through repeated hospitalizations to little or no avail; live through disintegration, disease, anguish, torn relationships, anger, loss of self, and despair. As my husband Don and I looked for help for her, we met fragmented care, which was never enough. It was guided by the dictates of (un)managed care, and too often managed by providers who focused only on the disembodied mind. We began to join the ranks of isolated, frustrated families, who were always left with the pieces and no peace. We wanted a process that considered the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of life and not just the disembodied mind.
Instead of succumbing to anger, Don and I began to imagine a place of integration for individuals with mental illness, where wholeness could be recovered,
(source: http://archive.pettrust.org.uk/jointnewsletter/10.pdf )
A community for adults with intellectual disabilities in Virginia is Innisfree Village. Founded in 1971, it is now home to 38 coworkers (or adults with intellectual disabilities), 20 full-time residential volunteers, and 15 support staff…
…Four days a week, coworkers and volunteers work side by side in our various workstations: a woodshop, weavery, bakery, organic gardens, and community kitchen which prepares a healthy, fresh lunch. The woodshop produces cutting boards, kitchen utensils, toy blocks and other goods. In the weavery, each coworker has his or her own loom and makes placemats, scarves, tote bags, tea towels, baby blankets and other items that we sell in several local stores and at craft fairs. The bakery makes bread twice a week for the Innisfree houses and also bakes delicious granola which is enjoyed by our community as well as sold in several natural foods stores locally. Beginning several years ago, Innisfree reached out into the local community by initiating a community-supported agriculture (CSA).
Subscribers buy shares and receive boxes of fresh, organic garden produce, including fruit and herbs, throughout the growing season. Coworkers and volunteers also assist our farmers in raising sheep and chickens and caring for our land. While each of our workstations is productive, they are also therapeutic and tasks are assigned according to each coworker’s unique skills, needs, and interests.
Beyond the workstations, there are other opportunities for creative work and recreation. Each week a local potter comes from Charlottesville to lead two pottery classes for Innisfree coworkers, and a music therapist comes to offer music activities. Tuesday afternoon finds several coworkers and volunteers in art class where they may be cutting out paper snowflakes, working on a group collage, or decorating invitations to the community’s next party. A weekly papermaking group shreds colored paper and processes it to make unique textured paper which can be made into holiday cards or valentines…
(source: http://www.asf-ev.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/LAENDERSEITEN/USA/Files/Newsletter/electronic_Newsletter/Newsletter_Vol._1__2010.pdf )
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