Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

“I do not like to be addressed by my given name. Please ask me what my name is today.” Although this young woman was given the name “Jennifer,” she prefers to be called by other names of her choice. Jennifer is a 23 year old woman at the NorthCo Adult Developmental Training Center. She was in need of a day program after aging out of other services and so program specialists went to her home to meet her. During the visit, it was determined that she needed intensive behavior services and structured support. Our staff looked past Jennifer’s intensive needs and saw a unique, fun, eccentric, interesting woman. They agreed that they wanted to support this young woman and to provide her with “Empowerment to reach her full potential”. While searching for another residential provider, the staff in our ADTC program met with Jennifer twice a week, getting to know her likes and interests and forming a relationship. Another one of Jennifer’s unique characteristics is that she likes to wear multiple layers of clothes, sometimes the same clothes and different style of shoes on the opposite feet. Although this may look odd to others, our staff know that this is Jennifer’s style. A non-negotiable for Jennifer is the ability to wear headphones and to listen to the music of her choice. Transition had been slightly difficult in the beginning for Jennifer. The supports she received in school and at her child residential placement were far different than what the adult world allows. Now it has been over 2 years since the admission of her day placement at the Adult Developmental Training Center. Jennifer receives one on one staff support and has formed a close bond with the staff member. This has allowed her to make tremendous strides. Jennifer has formed many relationships with staff and the individuals, she is able to sit with others in group, participate in group and express verbally what she wants or needs instead of using aggressive behaviors. She likes to form dance parties and at times has asked her peers to join in her “band”. Jennifer’s life success is mainly due to her strong, loving, supportive parents but also to the creative, fearless, strong willed support of the staff in the Adult Developmental Training Center (ADTC) program. If you are visiting NorthCo and see this young lady please stop and take a moment to ask “What her name is today”.

Aimee moved into the Family Services Wonderly Group Home in July 2009, after years of living at home with her family. When Aimee arrived, she was very apprehensive of her own decision making skills. She needed to follow lists for all aspects of daily living and was extremely shy to the point that she would not make eye contact with family or friends when she spoke to them. She would say nothing while at medical appointments or at her ISP meetings. Our staff discovered that Aimee would cry when receiving a compliment on her appearance or a job well done. In the eight years that Aimee has been with us at Wonderly, Aimee has become a vibrant, outgoing individual who is willing to speak up for herself and others. Over time, she worked with her doctors, therapist and staff to understand how to process her emotions, which has helped greatly with her anxiety and self-confidence. As Aimee’s confidence grew, she was more willing to learn new skills at home, at work, and in the community. Recently, she realized that she was experiencing emotional abuse from her family members. She took numerous avenues to protect herself by openly communicating with her group home staff and supervisor, her supports coordinator, and her mother. She then independently obtained an attorney who assisted her in securing representative payee services and overall independence. Thanks to the support, trainings and positive reinforcement she has received from her team members, Aimee was provided the opportunity to become a speaker on abuse and other obstacles that individuals with disabilities have to overcome. Now Aimee shares her story with others and is an inspiration to us every single day.