Being ‘different’: Local agencies work to assist adults with autism
Dr. Rueben Brock grew up hearing his friends and teachers repeatedly make the same observation, “Well, Rueben is just different.”
What they, including Brock, did not know is that he is autistic.
Brock is now 48 now, and was only diagnosed four years ago. The Canonsburg resident is a professor of psychology at PennWest California. At his work in private practice, Brock says he always felt a connection with his autistic clients, but did not consider that he might be autistic himself.
However, that changed in the spring of 2020.
“When the pandemic hit, I noticed some of my quirks, the things I knew were a little interesting about myself, those things became more pronounced,” Brock said.
He added that he began a “journey of self-discovery” and sought to get himself tested for autism.
“That’s when it really became challenging. There was no one in Washington County that would do an assessment on me. Even in Pittsburgh I was waiting six months, nine months. Primarily because I am an adult. There aren’t many practitioners who will test adults,” Brock said.
He ended up driving to Philadelphia for an assessment, and the results confirmed his suspicions.
Suddenly, he was able to make sense of myriad moments and interactions going back to childhood. He gained a different perspective on all those times somebody remarked that he was “different.”
“It was always kind of frustrating to me. I would think, ‘Different in what way?'” Brock said. “A million stories in my life make more sense.”
Jennifer Scott is the administrator of Washington County’s Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which helps with mental health treatment, job training and placement for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She notes that Brock’s experience is not uncommon for adults his age.
“There are a lot of adults who are undiagnosed. They have already sometimes learned how to cope with day to day things in their own ways,” Scott said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recent research suggests about 1 in 36 children is autistic. In 2000 it was believed to be 1 in 150 children.
“Depending on how long ago, there was not really a test for autism per se. That’s newer,” Scott said. “I think the other piece of it is there is a whole spectrum of autism. The way that autism has been defined over time has changed.”
Brock describes himself as prone to sensory overload. A loud and crowded room can make him uncomfortable, and he is not much interested in small talk.
“I’m repetitive. My students make fun of me, because there are phrases I say constantly and I don’t realize it,” Brock said.
With all that, he sometimes wonders, “How did anyone not see that this kid was autistic?”
Scott believes that many misconceptions about what it means for someone to be autistic have been colored by entertainment.
“They’re talking about what’s on television instead of what the person is. You might not even know it, because it could be internal factors they’re dealing with. Maybe they just like keeping their house clean,” Scott said.
Brock agrees, saying most people’s point of reference is usually the 1988 film, “Rain Man.”
“If you’re not a person who walks and talks like Rain Main … there are people who will simply miss it,” Brock said.
Brock explained he learned at a young age how to hide the behaviors he knew came off as strange to others.
“There are many people who learn through socialization to hide some of those things. It makes it impossible for someone to visibly see you’re autistic. It’s called masking. It’s easier when no one can see the quirks,” Brock said.
Last year, North Strabane couple Lori and Ed Dominick started Scoop Dog Canine Creamery, which makes healthy ice cream just for dogs. Building the business was also a way to help their autistic son, Chevi, work toward an independent future.
Lori Dominick notes that Chevi, 27, often has a hard time socializing, partly because of these misunderstandings about what autism looks like.
“Chevi looks normal, he talks normal. People don’t necessarily get it when he doesn’t connect,” Lori said.
Mary Mossburg, the executive director at The Arc of Fayette County, said individuals with autism learn and socialize differently. She thinks people tend to underestimate their capabilities.
“We have one adult, he is super intelligent. It’s just when you speak to him, you have to give him a moment to think about it. He seems nonverbal. You have to learn how to get through to them. You can help them learn,” Mossburg said.
The Arc is a nonprofit that advocates for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have branches nationwide, including in Washington and Greene counties. The Fayette County chapter is located at 80 Old New Salem Road in Uniontown.
According to Mossburg, at Arc they work with autistic clients to help teach life and financial skills.
Engaging with the community is another important element of their mission.
“Workers go into the family’s home and teach life skills, and take them out into the community. We want our individuals to get out as much as possible and be a part of the community. Make the public aware of them and more accepting of our individuals,” Mossburg said.
That could mean performing volunteer work, or even going to play bingo at one of the local nursing homes.
When it comes to helping autistic adults find work, Scott said a priority is individualizing the type of training and work for each client.
“We really want to find what works for them and what suits their interests,” Scott said.
Chevi Dominick had gone through job training programs before and ended up in the food service industry. That proved not to be a good fit.
“It’s just kind of a rough industry. It’s too fast-paced, and it’s hard to get any desirable shift,” Chevi said.
From there he helped his parents develop Scoop Dog ice cream. More recently he started working at Pampered Paw Resort, which has worked out well, as he is a big dog lover. His mother describes his knowledge of dog breeds as almost encyclopedic, which comes in handy when developing new ice cream flavors.
“He is very good at helping us figure out what is good for the dogs and not good for the dogs,” Lori Dominick said.
The Arc of Fayette County works with several Uniontown businesses to help place clients. Jenna Hicks, Arc’s supported employment manager, said they are affiliated with the local Dairy Queen, Jimmy John’s, Shop ‘n’ Save and Panera Bread.
Clients also have a job coach who assists them in getting acclimated to a new job.
“I think a big misconception in general is people just don’t think they are capable of doing things that you and I are,” Hicks said. “They truly just want to be accepted and included.”
David Ruby, 23, of Uniontown, has been a part of Arc’s residential program for about a year, and currently works at Valley Dairy.
Ruby was diagnosed as a child. He remembers school being challenging at first, and being bullied by other students.
“I managed through it,” Ruby said. “I played varsity sports like football.”
Being in Arc’s residential program, Ruby lives with three housemates, and has enjoyed the independence.
“It’s very nice,” Ruby said.
Even with the resources that are available, Brock feels as though autistic adults are lacking an outlet to connect and socialize with each other. Though he took a break from his private counseling practice during the pandemic, he has started back up with a specific focus on services for autistic adults. He has also started a support group.
“I believe that we just need services that would allow the autism community to kind of come together and have a place to be supported … So people don’t feel so isolated,” Brock said.