Katydid Foundation Inc., housing for adults with autism

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Katydid Foundation Inc., housing for adults with autism If you are seeking information about setting up housing or already created one, please use this page as a forum and clearinghouse of information.

Workshops, consulting and other housing resources are offered to families. Contact us for details. We are a Massachusetts nonprofit serving adults on the autism spectrum and their families. Our foundation helps families sort through complex housing options for their loved one with ASD.

10/10/2026

The next transition: an occasional reflection on caring for an aging loved one on the spectrum

This week we reached another transitional milestone … adding Katie’s sister as a guardian.
Even though her father and I have been guardians for many years it took several months and nearly $10,000 in legal fees to achieve this goal.
Mountains of paperwork, evaluations to ensure she is still autistic, and even a criminal background check had to be redone.
If your loved one is served by DDS I suggest getting on a waiting list for guardianship sooner rather than later. The last time I checked it was only $500. Unfortunately when our name was called it was during the early days of the pandemic and we went to the end of the list!
Because Katie turned 50 a few months ago, I didn’t think I should wait much longer to get it done. So we started the legal process privately.
I knew that if we waited and then could no longer make adequate decisions regarding her health and care, she could end up in a legal nightmare.
The Boston Globe recently did a series of stories on warehousing of disabled patients due to the lack of a conservator or guardian.They are often unable to discharge or transfer the patient due to this legal glitch.
There are so-called public guardians, but it would be someone without any knowledge of the individual’s needs.
Having come out the other side of this, I worry about all of the families unable to cough up the legal fees or find anyone to take on such a major responsibility.
Even the lawyers say they wish something could be done to streamline the process.
Meanwhile, start saving your $$$. But better yet, get on the waiting DDS list if you can.
And most of all, thank you to my first born for stepping up for Katie ❤️❤️❤️
Anita



10/03/2026

The government will do away with rules requiring that people with disabilities be served in the community under a settlement with a handful of states that advocates say sidesteps decades of precedent.

09/27/2026

When Denise Resnik looked for a place where her autistic son Matt could live on his own as an adult, it didn’t exist. So she built it.

First Place Phoenix is an apartment building in midtown Phoenix for adults with autism and other neurodiversities. Residents have their own one- or two-bedroom apartment, with their own kitchen and their own front door.

The support comes with the lease: a team for life skills, jobs, health and wellness, and daily community activities. There’s a 24/7 concierge, a zen room, an art studio, and a teaching kitchen. The building was designed with sensory needs in mind.

It isn’t a group home. It’s a place to live independently without having to do everything alone.

The honest part is the cost. Rent starts at $4,600 a month, including utilities and the support team. That is out of reach for most families, and it’s why so many people are pushing for models like this to be funded and copied in more cities.

Would something like this work for someone you love?

📰:Firstplaceaz

09/20/2026

In July, Brian Clark of Lifeworks and Mike Ripp presented on semi-independent living. Mike shared the steps involved in the successful transition of his daughter.

In this 30-minute session, Mike will answer questions from participants. If you can't make the session, but have questions to share in advance, please use the "Contact Us" form with your question, located at the end of this page: https://thearcofmass.org/future/. We will record the session.

Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

09/18/2026

New federal guidance is detailing how more stringent Medicaid eligibility rules will be applied but doing little to assuage concerns about how the changes may impact those with developmental disabilities.

09/14/2026

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), in partnership with The Disability Law Center (DLC), invites you to join in a virtual discussion about guardianship and the many alternatives available to people with disabilities and their families. This virtual discussion will take place on Tuesday, September 22nd, from 6 pm to 8 pm ET, on Zoom. To register for this event, scan the QR code on the flyer or go to: https://www.dlc-ma.org/alternatives-to-guardianship-training/

08/26/2026

Lyft is taking steps to allow more people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access rides paid for through Medicaid home and community-based services programs.

08/21/2026

Join us for a special webinar about new resources for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and a new in-home skill-building support program.

Learn about the newly launched ADU Incentive Program from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, an organization dedicated to expanding affordable housing statewide. You will also learn about a new program to support adults at home for increased independence.

Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

The next transitionWe all talk about falling off the cliff when our loved ones with a disability turn 22. But we don’t h...
07/29/2026

The next transition

We all talk about falling off the cliff when our loved ones with a disability turn 22. But we don’t hear much about the next transition when the guardian or parent is no longer able to advocate.
Once we figure out the guardianship paperwork, we need to address who or what will replace me. In my case, Katie has been living in her own beautiful apartment built for her and others with similar needs. Different from group homes, our nonprofit, Katydid Foundation Inc., created in 2004, allows the individual and their families to make their own decisions about hiring staff and what their loved one does every day. It’s been a wonderful model for Katie and others over the years. But it’s definitely not for everyone. I have to make sure we keep enough staff on hand for around the clock coverage.
So I juggle personnel, doctors, medications, property management and maintenance. Has the oil been checked in the van, have the filters been changed in HVAC system, has electrician inspected the fire alarm…all run together lately.
I’ve been handling it for over 20 years. but I’m now at the point where doing the payroll, hiring and training and even ordering 1 million things on Amazon every day has gotten to be too much.
Lately I’ve sent heavy packages to the wrong address and had to lug them to Katie‘s house. Even banking for the nonprofit, Katie and myself has gotten to be overwhelming .
I’m old and understand my growing limitations. Her dedicated caregivers, some have been with her for over 20 years, are also aging.
But where would I find someone willing and able to replace a person who’s chosen to dedicate her final years to caring and providing for a 50-year-old daughter facing major medical problems. I certainly can’t allow my other daughter to give up her life to replace me even though shes willing.
It appears it’s not going to be easy or possible to find someone to come in and run Katie‘s life as we know it…but sending her to a group home is more than I can contemplate. And her needs are certainly too great for assisted living or nursing homes.
She has her schedule that works due to many medical conditions, special diet, and difficulty walking. She’s unable to work or even shop for her own food. Her favorite thing is to watch cartoons in a room filled with balloons and occasional visitors. Those needs are simple but since funding is provided by the state it’s a lot of paperwork, phone calls and meetings for anyone.
So faced with limited options I worry. Who will know her favorite songs, understand her needs when she can’t express them, and intervene when medical professionals have no clue what’s going on.
So occasionally, I’ll attempt to journal this phase of life on our fb page in the hopes of helping others facing the same heartbreaking crossroad. I welcome your comments ideas and support.
Maybe we can help each other.
Anita


06/24/2026

Neighborhoods with homes designated for people with disabilities alongside others sold to neurotypical buyers open to living in inclusive communities are taking shape in different parts of the country.

Address

Newburyport, MA
01950

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19784652335

Website

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