Watch VideoHawkeye Ranch will help adults with Autism
Andy Koen
Families with autistic children often face a sharp drop off of government assistance once their children become adults. Though fully grown, the children still need a high level of supervision and guidance. Recognizing the need, a local autism non-profit organization wants to help high functioning autistic adults to live independently.
Stomp Out the Silence of Autism and Disability plans to open their Hawkeye Ranch this summer. It will teach clients basic life skills like balancing a checkbook and applying for a job.
Located on 40 acres between Monument and Larkspur, the ranch is housed in 7,500 square foot home. SOS-AD is licensed to care for 10 fulltime clients under the supervision of three fulltime employees, including a life skills coach and behavioral specialist.
"Hawkeye Ranch is going to be the first of its kind in
Hall says public awareness about adults with autism is relatively low.
"These kids grow up and they don’t automatically become cured," Hall said.
Hall and partner Greg Wheelan started SOS-AD in 2005 after learning of the lack of financial support in our state available to families with children with autism. He says the ranch was initially a long term goal for the group, but in the last year the project has taken on a life of its own.
"We've been contacted by families that, their children are ages from 18 to 42 years old, wanting to get into our place," Hall said. “Other organizations are starting to contact us about, 'when are you going to open up a Hawkeye Ranch in our state.'"
Autistic adults age 21 and over with an IQ above 70 typically loose a majority of government assistance. There is an ongoing campaign to encourage the Senate to pass the Serve and Offer Autism Resources (SOAR) initiative. Sponsored by Colorado Senator Wayne Allard and Senator Hillary Clinton, the SOAR initiative would increase federal funding to adults with autism. Hall says the bill has stalled in recent weeks because of the presidential primary.
Click here to learn more about Stop Out the Silence of Autism and Disability.
Click here to learn more about the Hawkeye Ranch.
Click here to learn about the Serve and Offer Autism Resources (SOAR) initiative.
