BY EMILY LINCKE CONTRIBUTIONS BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
Notable quotes
Growing challenges
Resources for adults, teens with autism The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD • Employment assistance • Behavioral and talk therapy Best Buddies • High school, college and adulthood mentors • Job, adult living and leadership development programs
While service oerings for children with autism are on the rise, teenagers and adults can be left out of these resources, Acha said. “We’ve actually had some clients who have been discharged from all their ABA standards because they can no longer handle their behaviors, especially aggression,” Acha said. But Leslie Martone, president of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, said her family has not had a dicult time ¡nding resources for her 24-year-old son, Nate, who has autism. She said they loved the programs he attended in CFISD until he was 22, and he now attends programs at local nonpro¡t Reach Unlimited four days per week. Martone said she thinks many families may be fearful to contact nonpro¡ts for help because of the stigma around autism. “At the end of the day, if [reaching out for help] gets them the help that they need, it helps,” Martone said.
“I can tell you right now, in Houston, there’s a laundry list of kids on a waitlist for this diagnosis.”
CHRIS TILLOTSON, CEO AND FOUNDER, AUTISM TESTING 4 KIDS
Restore ABA & Speech Therapy • Summer job program for teens • Life skills program Reach Unlimited • Group homes • Vocational and learning programs
“There’s a high need in this area for quality ABA [therapy] like we provide.” REBECCA DONNELL, DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES, THERAPY FOR LIFE
22.7% of people with a disability over age 16 were employed in the U.S. in 2024 compared to 65.5% of people without a disability
SOURCES: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CYFAIR JERSEY VILLAGE EDITION
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