MROSS
Well-Known Member
What is ILS? (yes, this is meant as a rhetorical question). ILS is an acronym for (Independent Living Services), services that are offered by the CA Regional Center System (established by the 'Lanterman Act') to assist developmentally disabled clients with both routine, and not so routine tasks of living independently.
At first glance, ILS seems like some type of impersonal bureaucratic acronym, yet represents services crucial to boosting independence. For the most part, ILS services are responsive to the needs to their clientele.
In late 2015, the CA Regional Center system redefined it's eligibility requirements to serve clients with mild developmental disabilities e.g., High-Functioning Autism, Aspergers.
Yet, ILS resources have changed very little in response to the 2015 eligibility criteria; hence ILS resources largely remain unresponsive to clientele with "least restrictions to independence."
The notion of CA Regional Center services yields both surprise, and disillusionment for many with Aspergers. Hence, the ILS acronym is treated as…..a meaningless acronym for valid reasons.
Author Steve Silberman wrote the February, 2016 story 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ (LINK to story at bottom of post). (Silberman is also the Author of the book ‘NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity.’)
Silberman’s story mentioned Ron Huff of the California Department of Developmental Services (the agency that oversees developmental services in CA). Huff assessed data from the agency’s Regional Centers in the Silicon Valley area, as well as data elsewhere in CA.
Huff’s findings indicated the Silicon Valley area has a disproportionately strong demand for Autism services. The question that begs to be asked, and answered, “Did Mr. Huff’s assessments take into account the demand for services appropriate for High-Functioning Autism?”
Up until the February, 2016 article 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ there have been no published mentions of Ron Huff himself. No mentions of the growing efforts on the parts of both CA Regional Centers, and their non-profit vendors (under contract for ILS services) to develop, and support services appropriate for clientele with "least restrictions to independence."
Ron Huff’s findings seems to present something like “a goldmine of resources” to encourage the support, and development of services to serve an increasingly diverse clientele. Yet, it appears that a key “window of opportunity” has ended-up “lost in the shuffle!!” Let’s go beyond asking..WHY??
From the start, it appears that reassessing, and adding services aimed at an ever diverse clientele is “a win-win situation across the board” for both clientele, and service providers alike; such as new opportunities for service providers to receive much needed funding, as well as important experience to better assist their entire clientele.
Yet, are many service providers concerned that expressing interest in even slightly “out of the box” approaches will place their jobs in jeopardy?
Regardless, it’s very much like a situation where our own allies are seemingly “asleep at the wheel” - and sooner or later, everybody’s interests are hurt “across the board!”
Still “scratching our heads” and asking....WHY? What gives?
LINK: 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ http://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-research/
Thank-you
At first glance, ILS seems like some type of impersonal bureaucratic acronym, yet represents services crucial to boosting independence. For the most part, ILS services are responsive to the needs to their clientele.
In late 2015, the CA Regional Center system redefined it's eligibility requirements to serve clients with mild developmental disabilities e.g., High-Functioning Autism, Aspergers.
Yet, ILS resources have changed very little in response to the 2015 eligibility criteria; hence ILS resources largely remain unresponsive to clientele with "least restrictions to independence."
The notion of CA Regional Center services yields both surprise, and disillusionment for many with Aspergers. Hence, the ILS acronym is treated as…..a meaningless acronym for valid reasons.
Author Steve Silberman wrote the February, 2016 story 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ (LINK to story at bottom of post). (Silberman is also the Author of the book ‘NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity.’)
Silberman’s story mentioned Ron Huff of the California Department of Developmental Services (the agency that oversees developmental services in CA). Huff assessed data from the agency’s Regional Centers in the Silicon Valley area, as well as data elsewhere in CA.
Huff’s findings indicated the Silicon Valley area has a disproportionately strong demand for Autism services. The question that begs to be asked, and answered, “Did Mr. Huff’s assessments take into account the demand for services appropriate for High-Functioning Autism?”
Up until the February, 2016 article 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ there have been no published mentions of Ron Huff himself. No mentions of the growing efforts on the parts of both CA Regional Centers, and their non-profit vendors (under contract for ILS services) to develop, and support services appropriate for clientele with "least restrictions to independence."
Ron Huff’s findings seems to present something like “a goldmine of resources” to encourage the support, and development of services to serve an increasingly diverse clientele. Yet, it appears that a key “window of opportunity” has ended-up “lost in the shuffle!!” Let’s go beyond asking..WHY??
From the start, it appears that reassessing, and adding services aimed at an ever diverse clientele is “a win-win situation across the board” for both clientele, and service providers alike; such as new opportunities for service providers to receive much needed funding, as well as important experience to better assist their entire clientele.
Yet, are many service providers concerned that expressing interest in even slightly “out of the box” approaches will place their jobs in jeopardy?
Regardless, it’s very much like a situation where our own allies are seemingly “asleep at the wheel” - and sooner or later, everybody’s interests are hurt “across the board!”
Still “scratching our heads” and asking....WHY? What gives?
LINK: 'Why is Silicon Valley the Home of Autism?’ http://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-research/
Thank-you