AUTISM AT BROOKWOOD

There are about twelve adults at Brookwood who have been given the diagnosis of autism some time in their lives. Some are more involved in programs within the Community than others. They live in the group homes and receive individualized attention from staff as well as from the other, more able residents, as they need it. During the day, they participate to various degrees in the work projects. One young man, who is confined to a wheelchair, sits in the plaster casting shop, handling some material at a table. After living at Brookwood for six or seven years, he only just recently became engaged in a work project. In the early years, he would watch, and move from room to room. He would come willingly to work, when his parents dropped him off, and then he just flitted about. He didn’t bother anybody, and wasn’t self-injurious, but he was off in his own world quite a bit and had some self-stimulating behaviors. Eventually, as he saw people working and getting attention, he began to participate himself. Brookwood doesn’t actively work to change self-stimulating or repetitive behaviors in those with autism, but they see those gradually diminish as more productive activities begin.

The young man who likes to pace, is in the group called the "movers" who just move plants all the time. In fact, several with autism work in the horticulture setting, moving plants from greenhouses to carts or trucks. They seem to do well with constant movement in this highly organized, indoor/outdoor activity. They have a staff member overseeing the moving routine, and keeping them focused on their next task.

A young woman, gentle in demeanor, was given the autism diagnosis many years ago, but seems to be able to cope the work environment. She requires, and receives, assistance getting from one site to another.

One rather aimless young woman, with autism and a history o f seizures walks back and forth as others work. She has been at Brookwood four or five years, and had a long history of medication before she arrived. No seizures have ever been seen by staff at Brookwod, but as she has experienced a death in her family, her behaviors deteriorated. She is quite unfocused, has problems with impulse control, and becomes unsettled by small events. Her medication schedule is gradually being readjusted by neuropsychiatrists at Baylor College of Medicine. She lived in a home with 12 women pretty well, and now she is living in a dorm style setting. There, she has more places to go, and freedom to move around. She goes to a work site every day. There is no any special staffing or special programming for her, other than the general structure of the environment.

The man who is blind and autistic does not participate in a lot of activities. He is still learning how to eat, at 47 years old.

When preparing where to place a person with autism, the first consideration is who would be the best teacher for that individual. Thought is given to staff members in both home and work settings. That is why those with autism are spread throughout. In an effort to match them with a suitable job, they are matched with a teacher who is a good personality match.

Next, the environment is considered. Sometimes the large environments work. Some like the outdoors some like the indoors. Once that is decided, the best group living situation is selected; matched for personality and ability.
Staff believe it’s effective to intrude on the autism at times, and insist on participation in some tasks. Those with autism are encouraged to engage in tasks that they may not be interested in. They may not want to wipe the table, but it is important that everyone pitch in occasionally; not every day or all the time.

Brookwood incorporates the TEACCH approach to varying degrees, to guide those with autism. There are some picture schedules posted in workshops, and picture cues provided at some work stations. For one young woman, who prefers to take tools from other workers, a set of interesting materials have been provided at her work desk and labeled with her name, so she focuses her attention on those materials instead of intruding on other workers.

RECORD KEEPING

There are daily logs regarding medical concerns. These notes go to the nurses during the day, and return to the houses 4:00 with and follow- up from the nurses. There are weekly reports on every resident, as well as a report prepared for the weekend staff. The weekend person has a similar report that comes back to them. Additionally, there are fire drill logs and medication logs. All these are kept in folders for each person at the house.

WORSHIP CENTER

A majestic multi-denominational center sits at the entrance to Brookwood. It was endowed by a family that watched its neighbor’s deaf and emotionally disturbed son first fail at many institutions in Texas, and then thrive and bloom during subsequent years at Brookwood. They were so impressed with this young man’s progress that they donated over a million dollars for the worship center.

The building features magnificent stained glass windows, all produced at Brookwood. Every Sunday, the whole community gathers in the chapel. Guest groups of singers, choirs, and speakers come to perform at an all-community worship.

The Center is also used in-house, for staff and residents on other occasions, like memorial services, remembrances, or sometimes, birthday celebrations. Wednesdays they have bible study. An empty chair remains up on the dais during many of the workshops to imply that God is in the room; a concrete representation of God’s presence.

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