Guelph Services for Adults with Autism
(GSA)
Families and friends in Guelph-Wellington have been concerned about adults with Autism since the 1970s. Founding members of the local chapter of what is now Autism Ontario hosted colloquia and designed service proposals for teens and adults. In 1980, they incorporated Guelph Services for the Autistic as a charitable, not-for-profit corporation in Ontario, and later also co-founded Waterloo-Wellington Autism Services in 1991 when the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services agreed to provide funding for pilot projects in the combined region.
See an account of these early efforts.
Records relating to Autism organizations and initiatives, in the region and Ontario generally, are held in a special Autism Collection at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. (Search for Title=Autism)
GSA reorganized in 1997 to be a housing trust for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is not an agency, receives no direct funds from the Ontario Government, has no paid staff, and depends on the efforts and gifts of volunteer members and directors. Support mechanisms being pioneered by GSA are attracting interest elsewhere and being followed as models. GSA published a guide in 2008 to describe its role as housing trust: Creating a Home and Good Life of My Own. See an outline, links to excerpts, and how to order.
GSA’s support model is outlined in a presentation to the Minister of Community and Social Services in 2002, on promising initiatives in the Guelph region:
Important values and priorities of GSA:
1. Focusing on the individual person:
- individualized funding supported by independent planning and facilitation
- self-directed life plans for good lives of dignity in home communities
- choices of how and with whom to live
- encouragement of self-expression and supported decision-making by whatever communication modes work most reliably
- friends and family “listening” to and empowering the person
- adults with whom GSA has housing agreements are its only “active members” (other supporting people are associate members)
2. Fostering natural social relationships with support from among family, friends, neighbours, community:
- circles of support/personal support networks
- friends and family providing natural social supports
- Aroha entities of personal empowerment and support
- community inclusion: contributing to and being present in the community
GSA’s present roles:
- Trusteeship role in owning and maintaining a home with and for each active member, with various legal agreements to protect the person
- Developing more life/living supports, such as “anchor” and companion homesharers
- Attracting volunteer friends for adults and their families
- Outreach function, encouraging and empowering other families in Waterloo-Wellington-Dufferin region to learn from pioneer support models
- Sheltering the Aroha-entities and Bridges Over Barriers initiatives
- Information service through OAARSN (Ontario Adult Autism Research & Support Network) website and the OAARSN Adult Autism News and Creative Supports electronic newsletters
- Sending representatives to workshops and conferences on relevant issues
- Organizing colloquia and conferences in this region—such as Autism and Community in 2004; Creative Supports for Vulnerable Citizens in 2005; Brokerage for Personal Supports and Resources for Adults with Autism in 2006.
- Counseling and support networking among adults with Autism and their families and friends.
Link to GSA’s Annual Report for 2005, marking the 25th anniversary of its incorporation.
To communicate with GSA on its role as a housing trust, please send a message first to OAARSN at oaarsn@uoguelph.ca, with GSA on the Subject line.