Autism specialist supported housing.

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Has anyone had any experience of autism specialist supported housing? Would prefer UK experiences as I live in London.

I'm due to be moved into one within the next couple of months.

I'm I'm a psychiatric ward right now. Haven't been discharged yet because of a safeguarding alert about my mum who is a risk to my health (so I can't go back home where she would come round frequently and be abusive, thus risking me having another extreme meltdown and police etc).

This psychiatric ward is not a good place to be (NHS) although a lot of the staff are really good. I have severe challenging behaviour and am on four different meds to try and control it (not successfully).

I need round the clock care due to my classic autism.

Any experiences of being in an autism specialist supported housing system would be appreciated.

I know you live in the UK, but a friend's daughter is 21 and in supportive housing in the US.

When her daughter went in at 18, it was a group home as she needed people to prompt her for everything. (daughter has classic autism). It was VERY structured (almost like a hospital psych unit).

In a year she was moved to an house with four other women. More free time, but you are required to cook, clean up, etc. A case worker showed up four times a day for check ups and give medications.

The daughter now is in an apartment with other woman. Her case worker checked in 3 times a day, and now it is down to three times a week.

My friend's daughter will never be totally independent. At least she has her own room, bathroom and a nice living space. The other woman has challenges too, but somehow it all works out. The daughter has a day job.

Downer parts...

She is not totally free to do whatever she wants. She can not leave without calling her case worker and leaving a message (doesn't leave her place much anyway). The agency has a requirement that you keep the place clean and vermin free. You share with meal prep if the others are home at the time. There are some rules and expectations. No over night guests. You have to give a heads to your roommates and caseworker if visitors are coming over.

If you isolate, don't bath, don't take your meds, don't eat, and/or fight with your house mates, you can be bumped back into the group home.

Her daughter really likes it. She is mostly non verbal, but she can write well. She tells her mom she loves the place (current placement). Told her mother, that she knows she can not live totally alone.

How it will work out is your expectations and what your case worker thinks you can handle.

Hope you start feeling well soon.

ETA: this particular agency does not place people with autism by themselves. It is due to isolating habits and lack of executive functioning skills when left alone. Even if a case worker checks in anyway.

I think it's also a roommate can give a heads up about someone not coping faster than the random visit from a worker.

Thanks that is helpful.