“Choices, we all have choices. Some choices are good, and some give us an opportunity to learn. For special people and especially our special person, James Sarno and his transition from school to the bigger world provided a lot of choices. Not knowing, we chose initially a setting that was not the most growth advantageous for James. We heard about the Agency with Choice (AWC) program through a comrade within our Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group support system. We have also always been fans of The Arc. We thought the AWC self-choice option seemed best for James to continue learning and growing to be the best person he could become. It would be a change in the traditional direct service model James and our family, but we felt it would provide the most growth for James and what he is.” said Regina Sarno, James’ mother when we asked her about her family’s experience with the AWC program.

In the AWC program, Edward Sarno, James’s father serves as a volunteer in the role of the “Managing Employer” performing some of the employer functions in the direct oversight of James’ services, hand selecting the staff for habilitation, social and recreational support for James. The Arc is the legal employer of the staff and retains all liability for the staff and services provided such as the human resources process and payroll. This allows the Sarno’s to hire a family member, neighbor, friend or other professional providers the family chooses to support James. “The tenacity and time to understand, manage, and find a comfort level for James has been worth every minute” said James’ mother. Regina was James’ habilitation support worker. She wanted to understand all the ins and outs of what it took to be a habilitation worker. There seemed to be rewards in this position. James’s mother felt she could better guide new habilitation workers that would help James.

For several years, James has been participating in West Chester University’s (WCU) Adaptive Physical Education (PE) Program. Familiar with the Adaptive PE programs’ students, and admiring this group of students and their abilities with special people, the Sarno’s sought out a student who might want to work with James. Fatorma Greene, a WCU Adaptive PE student stepped up for the habilitation position through AWC to work with James. Fatorma and James have developed a unique bond. They understand each other and get along very well. Since beginning in the AWC program, James has had the support in place to improve his speech, learned to eat better food, become physically fit through consistent exercise, decrease some of his fears and become more social and find small jobs in the community. James is active, plays baseball, is a member of several Special Olympics teams such as Rammies soccer and basketball through WCU with Fatorma Greene’s and The Arc’s AWC program support. James is also learning to enjoy reading and cooking lunch with Fatorma.

James’ family has started a small business for James called, “Job Jar.” James’s goals are to find small jobs in his community that he can excel at and find confidence for himself. James does shredding work for the YMCA, helps with a cleaning crew at his church and is learning to organize and make donations to his local food bank. James loves music and attends The Arc’s Music Therapy sessions. His favorite musicians are Elvis, Johnny Cash, and the Drifters.
“We see that James has learned and grown in his present environment,” said Regina. “The choice of AWC has been a great choice for us. The AWC program has created a wealth of camaraderie in our family and has helped us keep our family values of learning and growth close….it is our own.”

Justin, age 31, was diagnosed with a challenging autism spectrum disorder before age of three. After graduating from a school program, Justin transitioned into a group home full-time with assistance from The Arc’s Behavior Support Services to meet his unique communication and behavioral needs. He now lives in a residential placement and works in a prevocational program in his community.

Since sudden change is difficult for Justin, his parents had concerns about how the transition from a school setting to a group living arrangement and a job would affect Justin. Through the support of his family and The Arc’s Systems Advocacy and Behavior Support Services, Justin made a successful transition and enjoys living with his housemates and attending work regularly.

Justin has an outstanding memory that assists him on the job. Justin has overcome some of the challenges individuals with autism face in certain job areas. His proficiency in completing various tasks at his job has afforded him the ability to work much faster than most of his peers.

The best way to support Justin involves communicating when and where things will happen. Justin prefers when everyday events happen on a regular schedule, which they seldom do! His anxiety escalates rapidly when it involves abrupt changes in his ability to access basic needs such as eating, sleeping and watching television. The Arc’s Behavior Support Specialist and his family frequently use social stories, which break down events and help Justin prepare for changes in his routine. Through the use of social stories and staff training, Justin now manages much better in life areas and in the community due to his ability to review outcomes for situations that used to be considered “unpredictable.” With family and an Arc Advocate, and a team of supportive helping professionals in Justin’s life, he is able to continue to grow as an individual and to advocate for himself.

One trait that Justin’s family and staff rely on is his wonderful sense of humor. He appreciates every kind gesture and gets great joy from meeting new people, always remembering their names. Some of Justin’s favorite activities include swimming in his family’s pool, dining out with friends and going to the movies. Justin is a big Leonardo DiCaprio fan but also thinks Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is hysterical. Justin spends much of his time with jigsaw puzzles, completing 1,000 piece puzzles from the inside out in mere hours without even reviewing the box!

Jake LeSage brings his bright smile and excitement to The Arc’s preschool every day. At age 4, Jake attended preschool for the first time. Jake’s parents were unsure as to whether Jake would be able to attend preschool given his medically complex seizure disorder. After many years of meeting Jake’s needs at home, his parents were very nervous about being apart from him, even for just five hours–the length of the preschool day. Still skeptical, but at the suggestion of their Early Interventionist, Jake’s mother decided to visit The Arc’s preschool – first coming by herself to see if it was a good fit and a second time with Jake and his nurses, specifically so she could actually see him in the preschool environment versus trying to imagine what it would be like for Jake. It was difficult to imagine Jake not being at home and she hoped this approach would help her and her husband make this difficult decision easier. After the two visits, Jake’s parents realized Jake was missing out on the preschool experience, making friends, and that he needed a life outside of his home and his siblings. Last summer, Jake started in The Arc’s preschool and his parents could not be more confident and happy with their decision. Jake is making remarkable progress, developing social skills, is more receptive to his therapies and is establishing a daily routine. “The teachers have taken Jake under their wing and adapted so many things for him to be able to better access his needs independently,” says Jake’s mom. One of Jake’s nurses, Barbara Loynds, who comes to school with Jake, knew how hard it was for Jake’s family to make the decision to send him to preschool. She has already seen how much of a difference it has made for Jake. “It has been a 360 degree change for him. He is so happy, outgoing, and loves being in preschool. It is such a welcoming environment and we feel like it is more of a home, it’s like family here.” said Jake’s nurse. Recently, on her way to drop Jake’s siblings off to school, Jake’s mother and siblings stopped at The Arc to drop off Jake’s lunch he had forgotten. Jake’s siblings had the chance to stop in and see him in his new school. Jake was participating in music therapy so they sat down and joined him. “It was a wonderful experience for all of us. His siblings got to be part of, and feel great about, Jake’s day. The family-centered approach has helped not only Jake, but his two big brothers, little sister and his parents create a family routine. Most of all, Jake is non-verbal, but since starting preschool, has become very expressive. We are sharing so many meaningful moments.”

Justin, age 31, was diagnosed with a challenging autism spectrum disorder before age of three. After graduating from a school program, Justin transitioned into a group home full-time with assistance from The Arc’s Behavior Support Services to meet his unique communication and behavioral needs. He now lives in a residential placement and works in a prevocational program in his community.

Since sudden change is difficult for Justin, his parents had concerns about how the transition from a school setting to a group living arrangement and a job would affect Justin. Through the support of his family and The Arc’s Systems Advocacy and Behavior Support Services, Justin made a successful transition and enjoys living with his housemates and attending work regularly.

Justin has an outstanding memory that assists him on the job. Justin has overcome some of the challenges individuals with autism face in certain job areas. His proficiency in completing various tasks at his job has afforded him the ability to work much faster than most of his peers.

The best way to support Justin involves communicating when and where things will happen. Justin prefers when everyday events happen on a regular schedule, which they seldom do! His anxiety escalates rapidly when it involves abrupt changes in his ability to access basic needs such as eating, sleeping and watching television. The Arc’s Behavior Support Specialist and his family frequently use social stories, which break down events and help Justin prepare for changes in his routine. Through the use of social stories and staff training, Justin now manages much better in life areas and in the community due to his ability to review outcomes for situations that used to be considered “unpredictable.” With family and an Arc Advocate, and a team of supportive helping professionals in Justin’s life, he is able to continue to grow as an individual and to advocate for himself.

One trait that Justin’s family and staff rely on is his wonderful sense of humor. He appreciates every kind gesture and gets great joy from meeting new people, always remembering their names. Some of Justin’s favorite activities include swimming in his family’s pool, dining out with friends and going to the movies. Justin is a big Leonardo DiCaprio fan but also thinks Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is hysterical. Justin spends much of his time with jigsaw puzzles, completing 1,000 piece puzzles from the inside out in mere hours without even reviewing the box!