Medicaid Matters: Supporting Alan’s Safe and Dignified Life

When my son Alan finished high school at the age of eighteen, he came up with his own graduation speech to an audience consisting of his parents and his English teacher. We were overwhelmed by the pride he took in giving it, even though he was nervous. Since then, he often talks about this speech with shiny eyes and a bright smile. He called this speech “The Importance of the Future” and treats it as an undisputed life plan.

Alan was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of two.  Then a few years later, he was diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He loves numbers and anything that has a pattern.  He can absorb new knowledge like a sponge if his teachers know how to take advantage of his strengths in decoding, visual learning, and graphic recognition. He can spend hours talking about trains, buses, ships, airplanes, and spaceships, both real and fictional, with a big smile on his face.

Alan performing at Christmas in the park with CAA students

Despite being bright in many ways, Alan has suffered language and social cognitive delays—very typical for one on the autism spectrum. Navigating a world set up for neurotypical people is like walking through a minefield for my son. Alan has gone through many therapy programs to learn the rules he needs to follow. He sometimes wonders: “Why is everyone more important than me?”

No one is more important than Alan in his family’s eyes. His affectionate and sometimes naughty, bright face is a source of joy in our lives. When he tries very hard to accomplish something, he inspires us to be better. Our family believes that everyone deserves a life with dignity, health, and opportunities for fulfillment. As his family, we strive to provide the love and support that allows Alan to follow his own goals. However, we cannot live forever. It is our top priority to find lifelong programs and inclusive, loving communities to ensure his continued success.

We are grateful that California has regional centers to lean on for adult services. In the years after high school, we have watched Alan’s transition to adulthood. He enjoys taking classes from the College of Adaptive Arts (CAA), a day program aiming at lifelong learning. Teachers there know how to make his learning fun and stimulating. That says a lot about his teachers’ dedication and devotion to understanding the students. Alan urges me eagerly to get ready for school every day. He has met many enthusiastic learners and doers like himself at CAA. The school emphasizes: “We are different, we are able.” Hats off to all the inspiring teachers and students!

In addition, Alan takes a weekly 1:1 computer class with Dr. Newman at AbilityPath—a program he looks forward to each week. We hope that in the not-too-distant future, the computer skills will help him with the day-to-day management of his affairs, and perhaps even lead to a career.

Alan and friend at FCSN Family Day

Alan and the rest of his family have also found life-long friends and support from the family support and social recreational programs offered by Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN). Every other Saturday in Spring and Fall, we spend an evening in a relaxed environment to socialize with other families with similar experiences. Alan feels at ease during these gatherings. He has quickly learned how to wait in line for his free dinner and who enjoys talking with him about numbers and his future plans.

At this stage, Alan is happily living at home with adult services, In-Home Supported Services (IHSS), and prescription medicine coverage under Medi-Cal. Looking ahead, he will need job coaching and group home services. Medicaid is what our son relies on for a safe and dignified life. He can be a bright light for all the people around him if we, the society, make good choices to sustain the essential supports and services for my son and other “different” and “able” individuals.