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Question: I have a 17 year old that has mild MR. She is high functioning, however academically is at a 4th grade reading, 5th grade math. Looking long term, she wants to move out on her own, maybe with a room mate. She cannot make enough money to live in a "safe" place and I think she is too high functioning for a residential program. Anyone with any suggestions?

posted by For_the_love_of_Traci

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Goodwill Industries is offering job training this summer for 5 weeks and, paid employment for youth with special needs. Contact Tanya for more information - 512-637-7139.

posted by cuteasabutton

I don't have an answer, but I wanted to say I'm in a very similar situation. My daughter is 17, mild MR, high functioning, academically 1st-2nd grade. (She is also in a wheelchair). I think she really needs to move out in order to keep growing, but we don't get HCS yet (5 more years?) so foster care isn't an option. She needs more life skills (or to be done with being a teenager) before she can / will take care of herself well enough to go into a small group home. It seems the answer to our questions is HCF funding, and without that, I'm stuck. If you are reading this (or anyone else w/ a kid like ours) I'd love to chat. gompf -at- earthlink -dot- net

posted by lgompf

My son is 24 yrs. old. He is autistic, but more specifically Aspergers. He is bright, happy, and high functioning. He lives at home with us. However, a friend of his that is autistic (high functioning) lives in a group home, and I believe it is run by Optimum Residential Services. The home is located in Austin. Good luck.

posted by Ann