Cascina Rossago is the first Italian farm community for autism. It opened its doors in the spring of 2002. The project evolved from the concept of a group of parents who organized a foundation "Fondazione Genitori per l’Autismo" in 1998 to assure a different and better life for their children when they become adults, and for other young people with autism. The foundation is the owner and administrator of Cascina Rossago

THE SETTING

Cascina Rossago is being built on 12 acres of farmland near Ponte Nizza, outside Pavia. The building contains three homes, a great dining room and workshops. In addition, there are a barn and two stables.

STAFFING

The first Director of Cascina Rossago is Professor Stefania Ucelli, a psychiatrist who is Professor of Rehabilitation and Psychology for Disabled People and chief of the "Laboratorio per Autismo" (Center for Autism) at the University of Pavia. She is also university psychiatrist consultant to the Centers for mentally retarded people in Pavia. Cascina Rossago is linked to the University of Pavia, Department of Psychiatry, where students can graduate with a degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and go on to become members of the Cascina Rossago staff. Other staff members have a degree in Science of Education. Psychiatrists and Psychologists act as consultants to the program. Daytime staff ratio is 1:2 and, as student trainees are involved, becomes 1:1. There is weekly supervision of staff focusing on individualization of programs for residents. Supervisors are present on the job in many moments of the day. There is a constant review of programs and great attention is focused on the community atmosphere.

TEACHING METHODS

The approach is holistic: everyday life work and meaningful activities become the core of rehabilitation. Individual programs based also on behavioral treatment are integrated into in the farm community activities and in the construction of relationships and communications.

FINANCES

Funding for the project comes from several sources including the National Health Service, private foundations from banks, parent contributions, and other private money. The cost per day, per resident is about 157 euro.

RESEARCH PLANS

In conjunction with the University of Pavia, research plans include the following: 1. Formulation of methods to evaluate rehabilitation interventions . 2. Evaluation of the "efficiency of life context." Efforts are made to reduce or cease medications. 3. Evaluation of staff issues and ways to deal with them.

FUTURE PLANS

Current residents are 7 men, aged 18-30. There will gradually be 24 residents. At this time, work is both in the garden and inside, with carpentry, kitchen and confectionary, pottery, brick making, and music. Next spring the stable will bill ready for goats and hens and horticulture will be started. The foundation is supplying other similar projects in Italy with consultancy, in order to form a local network.