Community-based services for children and adults with autism: the Eden Family of Programs.

Holmes (1990) describes the Eden Family of Programs. It is a single, continuous service system for people with autism from childhood through adulthood.

The paper is a narrative review. It explains how Eden links homes, schools, work sites, and recreation in one community network.

The model puts typical life first. People live in regular houses, hold real jobs, and join local clubs.

Rights, choice, and self-determination drive every plan. Staff fade when possible so neighbors and co-workers take over.

Honda et al. (2002) extend Eden’s idea to babies and preschoolers. Their DISCOVERY program in Japan adds early screening and home visits before school starts.

Stofleth et al. (2022) look at the other end of life. They show autistic adults still visit emergency rooms more than non-autistic adults. This suggests Eden’s lifespan model is still needed today.

Andrews et al. (2024) give the youth view. Most teens say adults plan services without them. Eden’s focus on self-determination now looks ahead of its time.

You can copy Eden’s weave-together approach. Link your client’s school, home, and weekend settings. Share one behavior plan across all of them. Ask the client what goals matter, even if they use AAC. These steps cut crisis trips later and give the person a real life now.