Sustainable Foundational Homes | Autistic Accessible Design

Absence is comfortable leading by example, courageously sharing from a background of adversity in unmet substantial support needs and resulting poor outcomes, they fought for a fair chance and have truly exceeded expectations in a massive sustained turnaround. 

First medicated for depression co-occurring with autism before even being a teenager, at that time in the 90's despite substantial traits and concerns being presented to childhood specialists, supports were not available at all. Their outcomes inevitably and increasingly declined until leaving school at 16, despite obvious gifts and talents in arts, english and maths. 

Throughout these challenges some of the highlights include taking breaks afterschool and on holidays visiting with their Nan, a boardinghouse mother at the private school Absence attended. This environment provided insight into the comforting benefits of shared living spaces with the right resources and thoughtful oversight, which can contribute to the warmth and outcomes of the facility. 

As supports were not forthcoming to bridge gaps in functional and behavioural capacity, unconventional pathways were attempted with Absence living for periods out of home. During this time from 16 onwards they did find companionship in the first friendships of their life, being among other vulnerable and insecurely homed youth. 

Absence learned to barely survive with frequent interjections of not wanting to, and sometimes attempts to that end. 

It was in their early twenties that they began following the thread which would eventually lead to sitting in front of renowned autism professional Dr Tony Attwood who interceded to ensure that Absence finally access appropriate supports. This was an opportunity which Absence seized wholeheartedly more than a decade ago, making prolific progress in all aspects of life. They remember a conscious choice of making the best of every chance, coming to understand the value of autonomy in living well as an autistic person and using their real outcomes to prove that meeting autistic peoples needs before expecting anything in return is an appropriate strategy for improving outcomes. 

In the years since, as an exercise in dedication to self improvement and supporting the autistic community through advocacy navigating systems, their gifts focused on an aptitude for translating autism research into practical everyday outcomes for themselves and everyone around them. 

This special interest, new support and guidance, alongside a cannabis prescription treating autistic catatonia, unreliable speech and co-occurring conditions, resulted in improved health, wellness, and the ambition for a place implementing evidence-based sustainable supports for autistic adults. Absence remembers at one point in their turnaround Dr Tony Attwood saying that they are "one of the ones I admire the most" which is remarkable praise well earned.

After completing a course in Business in Design Absence has compiled evidence around autism and its relationship with physical environments into foundational housing pilot model Autistic Haus and the accompanying Autistic Accessibility Design Manual.

These initiatives share a firm grounding in disability history and in this Absence acknowledges the inevitable influence of their Quaker ancestor's work, building asylums for vulnerable people which emphasised access to nature and dignity against the harsher trends of those times.

Determined to exemplify the benefits of foundational support, they set these systems up on a micro scale in their own supports. This has improved their health, sustaining a 25kg weight loss and finding a baseline from which they can physically bring their vision into reality, all while assembling and registering a charity which is a daunting task even for those without disability. Similarly this experiment has shown fantastic improvements in the person they care for in a reciprocal arrangement, who has a quite opposite and also complex presentation of autism; he has progressed in healthy weight gain and self regulation.

Across the last decade Absence noticed quickly upon gaining support that any pathway they built for themselves was able to be used by the people they were helping. As soon as they found ways to navigate systems and support they would bring those realisations back to the community. They were able to help many families access better outcomes. When they realised that NDIS access was becoming more difficult to navigate at the same time as unprecedented crises resulting in fewer disabled and marginalised people being able to find appropriate and affordable homes, they understood that they could solve many problems with one profoundly innovative solution: Autistic Haus. Conceived to sit uniquely at the nexus points between institution and home; research and lived experience; support and sustainability. 

Absence's vision utilises the entire spectrum of autism to build a village with room for the entire community, regardless of co-occuring conditions, complex presentations, support needs, or access to existing support systems. 

The meaning and deep consideration which Absence brings to every aspect of this project is reflected even in the name. When we refer to "autism" for example in "autism community", we include everyone proximal to and having power over the autistic person. When we use the term "autistic" as in "autistic community", we refer specifically to autistic people, and this extends to a state of belonging and ownership. From Absence's perspective, Autistic Haus is the first solution and resource truly by and for autistic people of its kind. 

To build so much already of something this diligent and special shows an inexorable quality, driven by a deep sense of compassion and a quiet acceptance that what the world needs now are reluctant leaders capable of listening and changing. There is a palpable sense of wanting to shield people from what they themselves have experienced and to leave the world much better than they found it.

As Autistic Haus grows, we invite you to take a look around, perhaps even get involved in an upcoming community event or fundraising, or read into some of the evidence behind Autistic Haus principles, there's something hopeful here for every autistic person and those who support them. 

Thank you,

The Autistic Haus Team