Barbara Joy "Barbie" Armstrong is much like any other 21-year-old.
She works part time at Country Cousin restaurant in Centralia, and just finished her post-high school education.
Armstrong, who lives in Morton, loves music, swimming and, surprisingly, doing her family's laundry.
At age 2, however, Barbie was diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability that inhibits an individual's social interaction and communication skills, according to the Autism Society of America. She finished high school at W.F. West in Chehalis in 2003, earning a certificate of attendance, and on June 9 earned her diploma after completing her independent education plan with the Visions program.
Now Barbie must make the transition from student to independent member of society, and start her own life without teachers and her parents watching over her.
"I know that when September comes, we're going to have some problems," said Barbie's mother, Donna Armstrong, chuckling. "We tried to convince her that 'You've graduated, there will be no more school.' When a child's been in school for 19 years, this is all she's known."
Barbie is one of the seven graduates of the Visions program, which provides special education for developmentally disabled young adults who have finished high school, but who are not yet 21.
"They're generally in the program two or three years. It all depends on their age and when they turn 21," said Kathryn Rotter, lead teacher and director of Visions.
The program, which just finished its 15th year, will have 19 students in the 2006-07 school term.
One of the hardships involved in rearing a developmentally disabled child, said Donna Armstrong, is helping them find appropriate employment and housing, and then stepping back.
"The hardest part is mom letting go," she said. "It's going to be hard finding a home for her, but we need to do it. We'd like to have her settled in her own life."
School
The Visions program operates out of the Yard Birds Shopping Center in north Chehalis, under the Chehalis School District. The program serves students from as far away as Morton and Pe Ell, with the goal of training the young people for a life as independent as possible.
"We work with them in three areas: vocational skills, leisure skills, and independent living," said Rotter. "I try to assist each student to be as independent as they can be, but it's very different for each student."
The vocational sessions involve taking the students to local businesses, three days a week, and training them in basic job skills. The goal is to qualify the students for paid positions, and to determine what type of work best suits them.
"They're going to be much more interested if they like what they do," said Rotter. "We make sure they have the skill to do what they want to do."
During leisure training, the students sample both fast-food and sit-down restaurants, and regularly stop by Thorbecke's FitLife Center to exercise. Visions' staff members also help the students connect with adult or community-based education classes at Centralia College.
The lessons about independent living can include practical experience in grocery shopping, banking and how to use public transportation. The students cook lunch in class, and take turns washing and putting away the dishes.
"They've taught her a lot of life skills," Donna Armstrong said of her daughter's experience. "They've worked with them one-on-one in job situations, how to follow directions, how to act at work, and how to look people in the eye."
Autistic individuals sometimes have a hard time looking another person in the eye, she said.
"They really just set her up so she's doing a good job at work, and they like her at work," said the mother.
Work
"I've got several graduates that are working in different positions throughout the community," said Rotter, adding that some former Visions students have held their jobs for a number of years.
Gloria Hall, an employment consultant with Morningside services, has helped match Visions graduates and current students with employers.
"What we try to do is match them up with what they like to do," said Hall. "We try to get them into something where they will be successful."
A job coach normally supervises the employees at work for the first week or so, until the employee becomes stabilized.
"We make sure there's no problems, and sometimes intervene between them and an employer," she said. "If we have to, we make lists for them."
Morningside, which provides disabled people all over Western Washington with vocational training and employment options, works with more than 30 local businesses to put their employees in jobs beneficial to both parties.
Hall herself helped Barbie find her job at Country Cousin. Barbie spends a few hours each morning rolling silverware into napkins to be placed on tables. Hall also has clients working at Casa Ramos restaurant in Centralia, and at a bowling alley in Morton.
"Usually it's part time, depending on their ability," Hall said. "A lot of them probably could work a bit more. As time goes on, the employer sees the value of them being there, and will increase their hours."
Donna Armstrong said her daughter is happy to have the opportunity to work.
"We've had no problems with her working," she said. "She likes to work, and enjoys it. She's made the connection between work, money and fun."
Finding a home
Though some families of disabled young adults decide to keep their children living at home, others recognize a need for them to be out on their own. Barbie currently lives with her family in Morton, but her mother said the Twin Cities would be more accommodating to her daughter.
"It's going to be hard finding a home for her," said Donna Armstrong, "But we need to do it. We'd like to have her settled in her own life. When you live in Morton, there's not much for these kids."
There are three general housing options for the developmentally disabled, according to Shaw Seaman, with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Adult family homes, he said, are the most readily available out-of-home placement for the disabled.
"Adult family homes are settings that are owned by the operator," said Seaman. "They're kind of a facility-based model, not general housing, and owned by the care provider." The homes typically have four or five clients, he said, and are Medicaid funded.
The disabled may also live with their parents, he said, and seek individual personal care.
"For adults, it can be provided by a family member or a contracted provider," said Seaman. "It depends on the level of support and care that someone requires. It's very common for parents to provide care services to their children with developmental disabilities."
The third, and most attractive, option, is contingent on a very capable individual, Seaman said.
"A higher functioning client may be able to move out into an apartment, and have someone come in and provide support for that client," he said. "That would be the preferred method for clients capable of achieving that level of independence."
Offering advice
Looking back on her own experiences with Barbie, Donna Armstrong said the most important thing for parents in similar situations to do is keep a positive attitude.
"Believe in your kid, look for the good things, and work with the positive," she said. "There's a lot of baggage that comes along with autism, but if you let that slide and focus on what they can do, you're a lot better off, and you sleep better at night."
Aaron VanTuyl covers education and religion for The Chronicle. He may be reached at 807-8237 or by e-mail at avantuyl@chronline.com.
