We’re very intentional about the community we build at 3LPlace, and we welcome members with a range of abilities. Diagnoses and age aren’t important, but attitude is! Here are some questions we often get as families decide whether 3LPlace is right for them.
Planning and problem solving occur in weekly staff meetings where positive and challenging dynamics are discussed and positive strategies are identified. Additionally, each staff member has a weekly consultation with a supervisor that provides opportunities for further discussion and support.
Regulation is key for 3LPlace staff, members, and the group space. Each member who joins 3LPlace quickly learns our most powerful motto: BE YOUR BEST SELF. This creates an open space to work together when struggles occur. For instance, if someone responds in a way that others perceive as abrasive, or aggressive, we take the opportunity to address that at that point in time. Members come to us with different backgrounds. Some are accustomed to behavioral rewards, while others prefer relationship-based rewards. There are few rules at 3LPlace, but the most salient ones are: be responsible with your body, words, and actions and be accepting of your fellow members.
You can see a complete rundown of our group expectations here.
The 3LPlace day is divided into two largely equal halves. Half of the day is in- house programming, which includes an array of topics members are interested in, as well as topics that are currently relevant to our area, country, and world. In-house programming also includes an “Advisory” session, where members meet one-on-one weekly with their staff advisor to work on member goals. The other half of the day is spent experiencing the community, where members learn and incorporate a variety of life skills, including fitness, nutrition, leisure, culture, budgeting, advocacy, seasonal events and experiences, volunteerships, and more.
Members also meet as groups to explore topics like: neurodiversity affirmation, artifact art, expressive arts, food as fuel, healthcare advocacy, current events, movement, healthy relationships and sexuality, interpersonal effectiveness and dialectical behavioral therapy tools, foodie club, engineering club, and volunteer prep.
All 3LPlace staff are trained in first aid and have had extensive training in deescalation protocols. Though crises are rare at 3LPlace, all staff are equipped to support a distressed member as needed, with backup support plans established when needed. In addition, members often co-regulate each other when they perceive someone is in distress. If a member harms someone, or threatens to, there is a protocol in place to support the individual and the group to best address the situation or restore justice in the situation.
“Meet your needs” is a part of the day designed to help members recognize on an Autism Level Up Energy Scale where they rate their energy. Then, with that, what choice could they make to either stay regulated, up or down regulate, etc. It’s a time to honor the member as their own expert in knowing what they need and empowering that.
All guidelines serve to build a positive community. Members come to 3LPlace with various sensory, motor, and communication profiles. Additionally, members who are enrolled at 3LPlace are expected to be kind as well as supportive and encouraging to the neurodevelopmental variations in membership. 3LPlace encourages positive language usage with an awareness and recognition that life adjustments can be riddled with challenges and can create stress that can emerge verbally or physically. Members can be redirected in a variety of ways, including using: sensory motor tools and techniques to support their energy state or experience; reminders of 3LPlace expectations, explaining the WHY to make sure dysregulation isn’t based on confusion surround information, typed or arts-based exchanges to see if another expressive modality yield insight, etc. 3LPlace members are reminded to be the best version of themself that they can be in that moment. Perfection isn’t the goal. Growth mindset and an open and informed spirit is. These conversations can happen quietly within the milieu or in a more private environment pending the situation.
Members are at the forefront of all we do at 3LPlace. Through knowing our members and their families, we learn how broad their worlds and interests are. Communication of these interests can be tricky depending on the member. Staff observe how members express interest and joy, what they look at and/or seek out to touch or discuss. Additionally, members fill out a quarterly member satisfaction survey, which is used to assess their experiences and asks for input on their interests in learning and outings. Members’ interests are sprinkled throughout the entire day – integrated into group topics, musical interests, outings and events, energizers, and more!
