For individuals with autism, even minor changes to routine can cause significant stress. Now imagine having autism and being forced to change both your home and daily support system at once. That’s exactly what happened to Joey, one of our adult clients in the Connections Adult Program (CAP). The road has been challenging, but through patience, persistence and the right support, Joey has made incredible progress.
Joey lived at home with his mom and sister until he was 16. As a nonverbal individual with severe autism, his care required a structured and supportive environment. For his own safety, his mother made the difficult decision to transition him to a group home in Palm Beach County that was designed specifically to meet the needs of individuals with autism. He attended the same specialty school for autism from the age of five until he aged out of the public school system at 22. Afterward, he transitioned to a day program run by the company that also operated his group home.
But in 2023, everything changed. The company decided to close its homes in Palm Beach County and discontinue its day program for adults with autism.
That left Joey without an appropriate place to live and without a safe, structured program for his daily activities.
At his original group home, Joey had developed a strong bond with a manager named Leann Rodriguez, who moved to the Connections Adult Program (CAP) team in 2023.
Understanding his needs and the trust they had built, Leann advocated for Joey to join CAP, confident that she could help him transition successfully. In December 2023, Joey became a part of CAP and moved into a new residence.
Overcoming a Difficult Transition
The amount of change that Joey experienced during this transition led to significant difficulties. “This was one of the toughest things he’s gone through,” recalls his mom, Cathy.
Leann echoes her concerns saying: “Joey had to start all over when the only group home he’d ever known closed. He had to move to a new place and start a new day program all at once. That’s a lot to handle.”
The transition triggered an increase in behavior challenges, often leading to self-injury and the need for isolation to help him remain safe and avoid hurting others.
Pam Ludwick, Connections’ Director of High School and Adult Services, explains that the CAP team worked diligently to understand Joey’s needs, which was difficult without verbal communication. “It takes time to understand what someone needs and gain trust,” she says. “We showed Joey every day that he could count on us to help him.”
One of the team’s first steps was introducing picture cards Joey could use to express basic wants and needs, such as hunger. Over time, he learned how to use picture cards instead of engaging in behaviors to communicate. The team also identified heat as a trigger for Joey and developed cooling strategies to support him when they noticed signs of distress.
Meanwhile, his mother collaborated with his medical team to find medications that could ease his anxiety and support his overall well-being.
I'm so grateful for the Connections Adult Program. They’ve been so good at helping him through this huge transition, and I love seeing him do well. — Cathy, Joey's Mom
Finding Stability and Joy
Within about six months, Joey began to settle into his new routine at CAP. He became comfortable being part of the group and started participating in various activities. Leann says he enjoys structured tasks and is particularly fond of projects that involve shredding. “He finds it very satisfying to complete tasks,” she says. “He also loves anything sensory. For example, when we go to the pool, he enjoys making little tornadoes in the water and feeling the water rush around him.”
One of Joey’s favorite activities is the community-based instruction at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. CAP clients visit the center weekly for about an hour and a half, and Joey’s progress there has been remarkable.
“This is a very calming environment, and the staff is incredibly understanding of his struggles,” Pam explains. “When Joey first started coming with us, he became overwhelmed and couldn’t go near the horses. We had to keep him at a distance for safety because horses mirror your energy. Joey needed time to develop more self-regulation. But over time, he learned to stay calm around them. Now, he loves getting close to the horses — touching and even hugging them. The horses respond very well to his positive energy.”
Cathy shares, “He loves grooming the horses, brushing them and feeding them. It has a very calming effect on him.”
“He is a totally different person now." — Pam Ludwick, Connections’ Director of High School and Adult Services
A Newfound Confidence
Today, Joey is thriving at CAP. He remains in the group area, engages with staff and peers, and navigates his environment successfully.
“He is a totally different person now,” says Pam. “He’s able to enjoy activities. Although he still has moments here and there where he struggles with self-regulation, especially when faced with certain triggers, it’s very short-lived. We know him well enough now to help him work through it and get back to who he is.”
Leann adds, “He likes everybody now — especially his ladies. He’s a big flirt! He’s very affectionate these days.”
Cathy says, “I'm so grateful for the Connections Adult Program. They’ve been so good at helping him through this huge transition, and I love seeing him do well.”
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