Autism After 21

On Friday, September 19, Park Ridge Rotarians welcomed Lee Pranitis and Larry Lam from the Post 21 Club of Tenafly to The Courtyard. The 501(c)(3) non-profit is an organization of parents, advocates and families for adult individuals who live with autism. In general, the group seeks to create program choices for the exploding autism population that lacks needed services.

 

Often overlooked by the public is the fact that in New Jersey, educational services provided to autistic youth through their school years come to an abrupt end once the child turns 21. Without continued training, all that was learned by these students over the years begins to be lost and the money invested in their education lost with it.

 

Founded in 2004, the Post 21 Club meets regularly with families affected by autism to discuss issues and needs of the population. They also work with service providers in the community to create customized programs that help adult children become independent contributing members of the community in which they live.

 

In recent years, the group co-founded the most sought after adult program for the ASD population in the area, Friendship House Adult Autism Day Program now located in Paramus and Hackensack.

To learn more about this vitally important organization and to see their 12 minute video, "21 with Autism: A New Set of Challenges", visit their website: http://post21club.org