Friends of Autistic People (FAP) works with families and legislators toward the goal of ensuring that adults with autism receive mandated services that enable them to lead better lives and secure their futures.

Coming Soon!

Benefit Event

Our next Benefit Event will be held next year, which we will host with a guest personality, usually at an attractive venue!

Gardening Day Program

FAP has partnered with the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford to create a raised bed gardening program to help young adults with autism sample an occupation in horticulture.

Parents' Workshop

Look out for the next instalment of our yearly Parents' Workshops series, called "Trusts for Special Needs Children." Date to be announced.

Summer Family Event

FAP is organizing a second Summer Family Event for young adults with autism and their families. We still need a location!

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  • Forum with U.S. Congressman Chris Murphy

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What Happens When Autistic Children Grow Up?

Reaching 21

Young adults with autism spend the first 21 years of their lives in the school system, receiving state-mandated support.

But when they age out of the system, most of their supports simply cease. The floor drops out from under them.

The Future

Adult children with autism vegetate either at home or in a group home where they are vulnerable to abuse at the hands of undertrained staff.

Parents are worried to death what will happen when they can no longer provide for their grown children with autism.

Our Alternative

With your help and our effort, adults with autism can have a better option for their futures. FAP is working hard to build a green, sustainable Farm Academy village for grown children with autism.

HOW FAP BEGAN

FAP founder Brita Darany von Regensburg's daughter Vanessa was born with classic autism. When Vanessa reached 21 years of age, she was discharged from the Greenwich Association of Retarded Citizens group home because they did not have the staffing to support an adult with profound autism. (Read more)

JOIN FAP

Today, Friends of Autistic People has an ever-widening reach of 2,500+ parents, professionals, supporters and people with autism in Fairfield County, New Haven County, Hartford and beyond. There is still much to be done, and we need all the help we can get. Please consider joining FAP.