Thoughts on an ASD-friendly location

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I was reading some threads recently which touched on, for better or for worse, some perceived elements an ASD-friendly community would have, or would not have.

As those who have read my prior posts on the subject may be aware, It is my belief that the required elements of an ASD-friendly community are fairly minimal, and all that is required is a working example. (see generally the discussion found at "An (Urban) AS Community").

The primary required element for an ASD-friendly community is that individuals who are interested make arrangements to live at such a location, at least part-time. However, that in turn requires that there be a fixed location where people can live, at a reasonable rental/lease rate (or purchase price), with satisfactory conditions.

In most possible locations for an ASD-friendly community in the United States, there already exist working public services such as water/sewer, emergency response, fire and police coverage, and paved roads. While I personally have no objection to building an intentional community at a previously undeveloped site, it does not strike me as the most cost-effective method at this time.

In other words, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

I would also like to address one other repeated objection. In the United States, there is access to a well-developed body of legal processes regarding developing rental properties, and in most locations, specialized services to renovate or modify an existing property are fairly easy to locate at going market prices. The objection of the supposed inability of Aspies to coordinate the acquisition of real estate seems overblown to me.

Before I continue with this thread, does anyone have any feedback on my thoughts so far?

I totally agree with everything you have said. In fact a small group of us are in the planning stages of such a project already.

There will be obstacles, for sure and for certain.The biggest obstacle, in my opinion is NOT our varying disabilities, but our lack of appreciation, or, more likely AWARENESS of how POWERFUL our innate Autistic traits can be.

A few things about myself. I have terrible problems with executive function. I am not an Autistic genius. I do not drive. I am computer challenged. I am one of those ADHD Autistics that even other Autistics find annoying. Sometimes I forget to shower and I don't know how many times I have put my clothing on inside out. I have never in my entire life mown a lawn and I don't know how.I lose everything. I have periods of being totally mute. When I CAN speak, I never seem to know the "right" thing to say.

One of my common Autistic traits is my ability to stay focused on one thing for long periods of time. And that is what I want to share with you.

Twenty four years ago, my late husband came home from hearing results of PAT testing before simple hernia surgery, and told me that the doctor suspected that he had an always fatal form of leukemia. There were tons more tests, culminating in the bone marrow tests, which confirmed the doctors suspicions.

Like many Autistics, I was [and am] one of those people who falls apart at really little things. What I discovered in the three and a half years between Larrys' initial diagnosis, and his death, is that I, like MOST Autistics, am capable of handling many BIG things better than most NTs' [or myself at the time] could even fathom.

My focus,my special interests, turned into ONE thing. Taking care of my family, and, trying to find a cure for my husband [ went through something similar years later with youngest son] There was no cure for his leukemia,but I heard that there were promising treatments in Europe. I worked 90 hours of physical jobs every week to not only take care of my familys' basic needs, but to have expensive drugs smuggled to us through Mexico. For three and a half years. When I was not working, I was keeping things sanitary, taking care of 2 teenagers, cooking meals,supporting my family emotionally. During this three and a half years,[ except for his final dying week] I had only 3 days TOTAL where I had off all of my jobs. In three and a half years [ 2 of them were on Christmas's ]

I don't remember ever feeling sorry for myself during that time [and I have many "pity parties."] I just did what I had to do. And I did it well. I look back and have no idea how I did. But I will tell you one thing. It was my "differentness,' my Autistic focus interest 'Superpower". There is no way I could have done what I did if I were a "mere" NT. circumstances since then have proven that my Autistic "Superpowers" are intact.

LOOK, I can't even tie my shoes right. But could I, could "my people" do something as HUGE as creating an incredible Autistic community? HELL YEAH!

If I am not mistaken, a common Autistic trait is being solution oriented, finding the HOW CAN WE of doing something. Too many of us focus too much on the WHY WE CAN'T. I cannot help but wondering if most of the "WHY WE CANTs" stem from the scars of the emotional abuse most of us have gone through more than true Autistic logic.