A Better Chance
July 27, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
John Clay refers to his life of working with autistic persons—he runs ABC, “A Better Chance,” nine group homes and programs for autistic adults and children in the Bay Area, California—as a “calling.” Today’s Marin Independent Journal tells the story of how Clay founded ABC.
“Miracle cures come along every day,” Clay says, “but they just don’t pan out.”
He says many people with autism do better living in group homes than with their parents, whose expectations may not be realistic.
In addition to its group homes, ABC runs a school for students aged 6-22, a day program, a business where clients package products in shrink wrap, and a chocolate company.
- Go here to read Tackling Autism.
- Go here to read about the California Autism Foundation.
Ah, group homes. I was almost tempted to move into one, right until the spokesperson for one chimed in about the rules and regulations, such as having to go home by 10 PM, and not being allowed to bring anyone home with you. I’m glad I waited a few years until I could find the right low-income apartment complex, so I wouldn’t even have to even worry about possible conflicts of living with anyone else. ‘Course, I’m lucky enough to have Social Security…
But anyway, I don’t think the paternalistic nature of too many of places like this is worth it, in my opinion. But it’s been awhile, and I don’t know if any thing has changed. Perhaps the one being profiled here is different, but I remain suspicious.