Hope Autism Foundation Seeking to Establish Day Center for Autistic Adults

Hope Autism Foundation, established by six mothers of autistic teenagers in Basking Ridge, is seeking to establish a day center program to help meet the vocational and social needs of adults with autism, especially looking ahead to the time when autistic students graduate and no longer are served by school programs.

The foundation plans to hold its inaugural fundraiser on Nov. 4 at the  in Basking Ridge. More information on that event is on the organization's website.

Danielle Lumby, president and one of the township six mothers who co-founded the Hope Autism Foundation, recently described the organization's mission to a group of education, business and community leaders in a "Meet and Greet" held at the

Lumby reportedly told the group that the foundation's mission is to develop and support a program that will provide job training, job coaching and social support for autistic adults. She appealed to community and business leaders to help develop and support the program, before offering a story of how teachers, coaches and team members have collaborated to encourage a young man with autism who is a member of the Ridge High School track and field team.

Among those at the Meet and Greet were Carole Bell, Senior Director of Programs and Risk Management at the Murray Bevan,  partner in the law firm of Bevan, Mosca, Giuditta and Zarillo, PC; Susan Carlsson, president of the Bernards Township Board of Education; Josh Feldman of Autism Speaks to Young Professionals (AS2YP); Township Committeewoman Carolyn Gaziano; Jean O’Connell, Director of Special Services for the Art Raynes, founder of the program at the Somerset Hills YMCA; and Roy Singham, Founder and Chairman of ThoughtWorks Inc., a global software consultancy.

Carole Deitchman, special education teacher at Ridge High School, reportedly told the group there is a need for programs such as that envisioned by the foundation. "Since autism is a life-long disability, children with autism grow into adults with autism.”

Deitchman said New Jersey is known for providing outstanding school-based services for people with autism until they are 21 years old. However, she added that services for those over 21 are severely limited, and are designed for people with intellectual disabilities, not for people with autism.

She said autistic adults, with more appropriate training and support, could become an asset for the businesses that hire them and their communities.

The foundation also helped organize a fundraisier hosting the at Ridge High School at the beginning of April.

_ with Linda Sadlouskos