Present Conditions and Problems at Facilities for Autistic Adults

Abstract

Services for autistic adults are still not institutionally organized in Japan. Because of the urgent problems of these adults, they are now receiving training under the category of services for the mentally retarded, and there are more than 10 facilities of this type around the country. These facilities can be divided into three types according to the process of their establishment: (1) facilities promoted and organized by a group of parents; (2) facilities operated by an existing social welfare organization for the benefit of community residents; and (3) facilities established by administrative agencies or an existing social welfare organization in response to lobbying by parents and volunteers. Each facilities has its own character and its own problems according to the process of its establishment and the nature of the surrounding community. Asake Gakuen is the first specialized home for autistic adults in Japan. It was designed to be a model for facilities for the developmentally disabled that focus on autistic adults. It facilitates social independence through on-site work experience and ties with the local community. The details of the establishment of Asake Gakuen and its present condition are introduced, and its present conditions, policies and problems concerning the role of facilities for autistic adults in Japan are discussed.