Spectrum Perspectives

Krista Mason-Benjamin's Hope Farmstead Community in Michigan

When Krista Mason's autistic son Benjamin was a young boy she had a vision of a farmstead community for adults with Special Needs that would be a perfect project....for someone else. Years later she moved from NJ to Michigan where someone donated 40 acres so she could fulfil this dream. She built this amazing community with living facilities, a working farm, day programs, a church, and incorporates using RPM. Watch the video episode on YouTube.

John Poston-Daymark Living, Farmstead Community in Texas for adults with Special Needs

One of John Poston’s twins was born with Down Syndrome 24 years ago. When it was time for him to enter preschool, no schools would take him. So he built his own inclusion pre-school where he and his sister could attend school together. After high school, once again, there was no place for his son to go. He wanted him to have a “college life” experience like his siblings and a place where he could live and be taken care of throughout his lifetime. So John bought land in Texas and built “Daymark Living”, a place modeled after assisted living facilities complete with a pool and rec center where his son, and others like him, could live. Listen to find out how he did it, and what "Tulipalooza" is!.

Nate Diskint-Co-Home co-op home for adults with Special Needs

Nate’s brother is 27 and has Down’s Syndrome. Growing up in a family that pushed for his inclusion, they have continued that effort by founding “Co-Home”. They purchased a large 9 bedroom house where adults with Special Needs live alongside other Neurotypical people in Morristown NJ and they can walk to town to buy groceries, visit the coffee shop and go to work. This is not a group home, it’s quite different, and a great model for other parents to follow who are looking for living solutions for their young adult children with Special Needs.

Michele DelCorsano-President of Our House Group Homes

Michele is the President and CEO of Our House Inc. who runs group homes and day programs for adults with Autism and Special Needs in New Jersey. We discuss the process of how to get a loved one into a group home, how to plan for their future as far as care, housing, work programs and how to plan financially.

Gary Weitzen-POAC trains police officers about Autism- Part 2

Gary talks about planning for his son’s future and setting up a Special Needs trust for his son. He now runs the non-profit POAC Autism Services where they hold over 300 events a year for Autism families, and do trainings for teachers and Police officers.

Gary Weitzen-Highest rate of Autism in the USA-Part 1

Gary’s son was born in 1994. His pre-school teacher recommended he see a Neurologist so they called CHOP where there was a 6 month wait to get in. So Gary called every week looking for a cancellation and finally got him in. He was diagnosed with Autism at 3 ½ years old. Gary talks about being a Dad raising a son in Toms River New Jersey where they have the highest rate of Autism in the entire nation of the US. 

Nadine & Nassan-Helping Inner City Autism Families in Newark, NJ

Nadine’s son Nassan is a 6’ 6” 18 year old with Autism. As a parent she couldn’t find any kind of program or support group. So Nadine began the non-profit “Nassan’s Place”, to help Autism families in inner cities of New Jersey. Through education, basketball camps, activities, respite, sensory friendly movie days, holiday celebrations, swim programs, Summer camp, barbeques. She makes sure that siblings are included in many of the activities. Her goal is to make sure that when there is no school there is a place for these kids to go. She has helped families that have become homeless and provided food and shelter for them. She also does a Women’s empowerment luncheon and a pampering days for moms and dads. to learn more, visit www.Nassansplace.org

Pat MIller-Beloved Bath employs people with Autism

Pat and her business partner Pam started “Beloved Bath”, a for-profit business that employs people with Autism making candles, soaps, bath salts and body butters. They started the business for their own autistic sons and others, knowing that there is a very high unemployment rate for these individuals. We discuss his development and the relationship between her autistic son and his two brothers and how she and Pam started Beloved Bath. All products are available on-line. Visit their website www.BelovedBath.com. To see the video tour of the space watch the video version on YouTube at Robbie's World channel. 

Jonah Zamiles- Book Store employs people with Autism

Jonah talks about raising his son Daniel and about how he became a stay at home Dad after being an attorney. Later he and his wife decided to open a book store as a place of employment for their son and others with Autism.

Suzi Suares-Liquid Church Special Needs Ministry- Part 2

Suzi continues talking about the Special Needs program at Liquid church where they serve 150-200 kids with Special Needs. We talk about how they prepare ahead of time to create a comfortable environment for the children before they begin to come to Sunday School. Liquid church has campuses at 7 locations throughout New Jersey in Parsippany, Sayreville, Mountainside, Garwood, Somerville and two new locations in Wayne and Princeton. Covid has presented some challenges trying to find buddies to help right now but they are still pressing on helping families of Special Needs