Including a child with ASD in the family is a complicated challenge both for the child and for their family. The desire to enable the child to develop to the best of his capability alongside the myriad responsibilities and tasks that comprise bringing up a family can seem virtually impossible – especially if the child is low-functioning. It’s not unusual to find the difficulties exacerbated by serious behavior problems which can disrupt the stability of the entire family.
An appropriate residential placement suited to the needs of the child or adult with a communication difficulty can be a perfect solution both for them and for the family. In our residential projects, the residents benefit from a suitable placement which is custom built for their existential and developmental needs.
The project for individuals with autism is the crowning glory of all the residential projects of Alei Siach and provides a completely unique solution for individuals on the spectrum from the charedi, dati and dati-leumi communities.
This project includes 25 apartments in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and Petah Tikva and we are still reaching further! There are 6-8 residents in each apartment. This project provides a solution from their teenage years for as long as necessary and supplies a wide-ranging support system for both men and women, boys and girls on the autistic spectrum across all levels of function.
Our residential apartments are spacious, with carefully planned outdoor spaces. They are supplied with all possible equipment for quality of life as suited to individuals on the autistic spectrum. Our residents benefit from a wide range of professional support including therapy, personal development programs, recreation programs, study programs and employment opportunities. They also enjoy the support of their home, their family and the community they are attached to
The daily routine is clearly outlined and solidly built as is necessary for individuals with ASD. A clear routine provides them with a feeling of security and calm which encourages progress.
At the beginning of every shift, the counselors clearly spell out the routine for the upcoming hours using both words and communication aids. This demonstration improves communication and allows residents to know exactly what will be happening during the shift. This knowledge helps them feel calm and confident and allows them to take an active part in the range of activities planned for them. This is just one example of how our staff use professional methods and aids to aid communication. Our staff make use of a wide range of communication aids and alternative communication methods which are carefully delineated by our professional staff as being most suited to individuals with communication difficulties.
In each of our apartments for individuals with low-functioning ASD, we have set up a Snoezelen Room. The Snoezelen Room provides multi-sensory stimulation and is designed specifically for people with sensory processing difficulties. Spending time in this room allows for calming time specifically for individuals on the autistic spectrum. This room provides calming down time, enables individuals to deal with angry outbursts, teaches cooperation and can even enable individuals to communicate more clearly. The Sonezelen room can also allow individuals to understand the world in a deeper way while still feeling safe in their own environment.
Treatment in the Snoezelen Room is facilitated by an occupational therapist who is qualified to treat with Sonezelen methods and is attached to the apartment as part of the paramedical staff.
Our apartments for individuals with ASD house both individuals who are still in school and graduates who have joined the workforce. Some of the graduates are included in the general workforce. One of our graduates is employed by a HiTech company who are developing the first autonomous cars! He is not the only one. Our graduates have found work in factories, stores and even in the Knesset!
In the afternoons and on vacation days, our residents enjoy a range of recreational activities including clubs and different activities which are chosen after consultation with the residents themselves. Among others, we have art club, cooking, gardening, animal therapy and even a group of clubs which take place in the wider community.
On Shabbos and Chagim our residents go to local shuls and are part of the life of the local community which adopts them happily. They take part in community events such as kidushim, siyumim and other simchas as desirable guests.
“My favorite weekly experience is the weekly staff meeting which may begin with a list of problems and worries but generally finishes with smiles and solutions. At the meeting, among other topics, we discuss the difficulties experienced and what we can do about them. We don’t try to discuss every single resident but we do try to understand what may be the causes for challenging behaviors of residents: what is being done about it, what is not being done about it and what has been tried but isn’t working.
These brainstorming meetings are attended by counselors, speech therapists, occupational therapists, the coordinator and my direct principal. They give us the safe space to unload, discuss ideas, get support from the entire group and give us all the motivation we need to continue coping with difficult issues. Most of the time there is someone who can give you ideas for how to cope with the situation which can be used in therapy sessions.
During these meetings, I feel that the counselors get the same respect as the professionals. Many times, I’ve learned from them.
I particularly enjoy the connection with the parents. Sometimes we meet parents who are fully involved and sometimes the parents are so worn out that they prefer to keep their distance. As a social worker, I accept all these responses as legitimate without judging them. I try to encourage parents and emphasize how important that connection is for the emotional health of their children.”
Alei Siach is a non-profit organization which was set up to provide a solution for disabled adults in the charedi-dati communities. Today Alei Siach has branches around the country and provides a warm, all-inclusive, supportive and professional environment where hundreds of individuals can develop and become integrated into the wider community
Alei Siach carries
the International Standard
association stamp of Iso.
ISO 9001-2015
