Help Us Provide Housing for Autistic Adults

It’s only natural for parents to worry about their children’s future. However, for parents of children with disabilities, including those with autism, that concern can be acute. What will happen to them if and when their parents are no longer able to care for them. That’s a need that we are seeking to fill at Front Porch Cohousing.

Our community will allow those with intellectual developmental disorders, such as autism and down syndrome, to age in place, giving them a safe and supported place to live and thrive for the rest of their lives. Our mission is to provide housing for autistic adults that allows them to maximize their potential.

Studies by Harvard Business Review and others have shown that people with autism have extraordinary skills, especially in the areas of pattern recognition, memory, and mathematics, and can make great contributions to employers and society when accommodations are made for their unique traits and habits. Front Porch Cohousing seeks to create an environment where those positive contributions can flourish.

Who is Front Porch Cohousing?

Front Porch Cohousing is an innovation 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that develops neuro-inclusive communities which offer collaborative ways of living that foster connectedness, putting an end to loneliness and isolation. Thoughtfully designed open spaces and common areas provide limitless opportunities to share community meals, group activities, and various spontaneous activities. Inclusion, especially in housing, is a goal, not a given. It involves educating, campaigning, and raising awareness, and it requires us to open our minds and learn from everyone’s stories.

It begins with an openness to learn, accepting that we are all different, and respecting everyone’s individuality. Inclusion is a significant aspect of life and an issue that is growing in importance. People with limitations from intellectual developmental disabilities are often excluded from activities or events because they do not fit the ‘norm’ or because others don’t understand them. However, it is not only the right thing to do but also good for society if we learn to include those with disabilities. We can open ourselves up to new experiences by listening.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 1 in 100 children in the US are on the autism spectrum. The prevalence of autism has increased by 178% since 2000. Over the next ten years, approximately 700,000 to 1.1M teens (70,000 to 111,000 annually) will enter adulthood and age out of school-based autism services. With over 80% of adults with autism living in the parental home with aging caregivers, where will they live when their parents are no longer there to take care of them? The need for safe, sustainable, and viable housing options that allow people to maximize their abilities has never been greater.

Advantages to choosing a neurodiverse supported living community for autistic adults

A neurodiverse community offers a host of benefits for autistic adults and their families. Among these are…

• Living in a community that provides autonomy as well as necessary support
• A neurodiverse community allows those with autism to accommodate their unique needs and still be productive
• According to Understood.org, “Neurodiversity helps reduce (the) stigma around learning and thinking differences
• Neurodiversity helps those with autism feel more accepted, more valuable, and more a part of a community

Help us help others

Front Porch Cohousing’s success depends on funding from people like you. To learn more about our community and to make a donation to our non-profit organization, click here. Together we are making it possible for autistic adults to meet their full potential.