University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), Bay Area, Houston – received a grant to assist adults with autism.
The $10,000 grant was awarded by the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation.
The grant will provide vocational training to adults with high-functioning autism.
The funds will allow the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) to support a graduate student trainer and provide relevant materials for the new ‘Vocational Training Program for Adults with High-Functioning Autism.’
Dorothea Lerman, Director of the CADD is reported in Your Bay Area News as saying:
“A large percentage of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are considered to be high functioning, which means that they may have good academic skills and can readily learn technical aspects of a specific job, but they lack the interpersonal skills to maintain employment or have close relationships,”
The center recently partnered with the the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. They refer disadvantaged clients who are on the autistic spectrum and aged 16+ to access specialised vocational training.
Dorothea Lerman explains
“We are unaware of any vocational programs in the greater Houston area for adults with high-functioning autism that combine all of the essential elements of assessment, social and vocational skills training and real-life work experience,”
UHCL’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities opened in May 2008 and supports research into autism and developmental disabilities.
The Your Bay Area news article also says that the center provides:
‘School services, autism assessment services, clinic and home services as well as couples counseling to parents and siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. The center also houses the Verbal Behavior Clinic and the Severe Behavior Disorders Research Clinic.’
More information about the CADD can be found here
The original article on the Your Bay Area News website can be found here