"Off-Campus" Living Project

The number of places on the Meyerwiede Farm is limited. Because the farm is also located in an area protected by a dike, no further building on the farm property itself will be approved. For some time the organization has therefore been planning to establish a living group for adult autistic people within the city of Bremen proper. Autistic adults are to be allowed into this group who no longer need around-the-clock care.

For residents of the Meyerwiede Farm who have developed so far that they can be trusted to take the next step toward their rehabilitation, this "off-campus" living group could be a possible choice.

A structure similar to that of a family will also be built up in this "off-campus" living group, which will both make security, certainty, and orientation possible for the residents and create the incentives for them to make use of the many things offered by life in the city (theater, art, music, sports, continuing education, organized events) in accordance with their interests.

The therapy will be in accord with new forms of social therapy that have been developed especially for autistic adults.

Like all autistic people, the residents of the "off-campus" group will have developed marked preferences, aversions, and rituals. They will have difficulties in interacting and communicating with other people and living together with them in a group.

Characteristics such as consideration for others, empathy, giving help, and consideration for a partner while achieving one's own aims and goals will have to be built up gradually.

Professional input will concentrate primarily on the formation of the evenings and the weekends.

The residents of this "off-campus" living group will also remain a part of the community life of the Meyerwiede farm: They are to work on the farm and take part in certain leisure-time or motor-activities that the farm will offer.

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