Mayor Touts New Project in 'Autism Spectrum News'

Since taking a new role as head of Mt. Bethel Village, the residential facility for adults with autism and developmental disabilities under construction on Mt. Bethel Road, Warren Mayor Carolann Garafola has been quick to share the facility's innovative concepts.

One recent example is an article written for the Autism Spectrum News, a journal of news regarding autism published by Mental Health Education News Inc., in which Garafola noted "Many of its design features are based on recommendations made in the 2009 report Opening Doors by The Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) and the Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University." 

The article includes suggestions for caregivings planning ahead for the years after a child with developmental disabilities "ages out" of most facilities in adulthood.

"Families will need to consider what the best residential option will be, as their adult child is expected to live way beyond the years of the parents," Garafola wrote. "By planning early, the individual’s future will be secure and supported as they age into adulthood."

She said the publication has a circulation of about 160,000. Her article appears in the spring 2012 issue, which is dedicated to the theme "Transitioning into Adulthood: Navigating the Complex Changes Ahead."

To learn more about Autism Spectrum News, visit the publication's website  www.mhnews-autism.org or contact David Minot, publisher, at dminot@mhnews.org.