Member with Autism Shines Out on His Own with Support from the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

21-year-old Jeremiah has a lifestyle to admire. A member of the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Jeremiah is employed, has his own apartment, and his calendar is full of physical and social activities. Since moving out on his own, Jeremiah has been focused on moving forward, getting everything done on schedule and, as he simply puts it, “doing my job.”

Through a grant provided by the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, Jeremiah was able to set up a home for himself at First Place, a living complex designed specifically for individuals with autism and/or other intellectual or developmental disabilities. First Place also provides a daily activities list from which residents can choose to participate. For example, Jeremiah enjoys taking cooking classes from the residence’s chef. What makes those classes especially enjoyable is that the chef “cooks brand new foods I’ve never eaten before,” said Jeremiah. Even with his expanded culinary palette, Jeremiah's favorite meal remains steak, broccoli and cauliflower.

Four days a week, Jeremiah works at Coffee Support, a private-label specialty-coffee manufacturing company. There, he runs a bin machine, grinds and roasts the beans, measures the grinds, and packages the roasted coffee. His success in the workplace is supported by a DES Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) job coach. The VR Program helps individuals with disabilities increase their independence and self-sufficiency in the workforce, which Jeremiah exhibits perfectly.

Being on his own has helped Jeremiah improve his time management skills. Each weekend, he phones Dial A Ride to schedule the upcoming week’s transportation to and from his job. First Place provides transportation to its residents and helps with grocery shopping. His mother, Jennifer, provides Jeremiah with his DDD-sponsored habilitation and attendant care services, all of which keep him independent and accountable. Together with Jennifer, Jeremiah is improving his daily living, money management, and housekeeping skills.

It’s been an incredible journey to get Jeremiah to where he is today. Jennifer remembers her son when he was little. “He was nonverbal until the end of first or second grade,” said Jennifer. “It wasn’t until the eighth grade that he spoke in complete sentences.” It’s amazing that as an adult, not only does he communicate and socialize, Jeremiah participated in a theater production of the Peanuts gang, where he had the lead role of Charlie Brown!

As a parent of a child with a disability, no matter what the age, the child’s safety and well-being are top of mind, and there’s a tendency for a parent to cling to that child. But Jennifer credits DDD in-home services and First Place with helping Jeremiah increase his independence: “It lets parents to start letting go,” said Jennifer. “I really appreciate all DDD did.”

Learn more about DDD services that help individuals with developmental disabilities be independent with in-home support services.