Annual Cost of Autism Has More Than Tripled to $126 Billion in the U.S.

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

Autism Speaks announced on March 28, 2012 preliminary results of new research that estimates autism costs U.S. society a staggering $126 billion per year – a number that has more than tripled since 2006. The costs of providing care for each person with autism affected by intellectual disability through his or her lifespan are $2.3 million in the U.S. and the lifetime costs of caring for individuals who are not impacted by intellectual disability are $1.4 million.  Read the full story here.

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CMS Makes Another Run at Denying Choice

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Mark L. Olson
On May 3, 2012 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Federal Register, May 3, 2012, CMS-2249-P2 — that includes another significant effort to define “home- and community-based settings” in a way that expressly denies choice.  See our analysis of the previous effort Choice v. Olmstead.  The NPRM invites public comment.  The deadline for submitting comments is July 2, 2012, not June 4 as originally posted (see correction notice).  We will be providing comment which we will again publish here.  We urge anyone with an interest in this issue and a desire to make your voice heard to read the Federal Register, May 3, 2012, CMS-2249-P2 and submit your comments according to the submission criteria.
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LTO Ventures at Agricultural Communities for Adults with Autism Summit, May 3-5

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

We are pleased t0 be participating as a member on May 3-5 in the 1st Annual Summit of the Agricultural Communities for Adults with Autism (ACAA) at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, OH. [MORE]  UPDATE (5/8): It was a fantastic gathering of current and prospective providers doing great work and innovating solutions.  We’ll post a full report in a few days, and update our “Communities to Know” section.

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Jessica E. Campbell Joins Board of Directors

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

We are pleased to welcome Jessica E. Campbell to the LTO Ventures Board of Directors.  Jessica is a board certified behavior analyst that specializes in applied behavior analysis and autism spectrum disorders.  She provides behavior therapy, social skills programs, parent training, and IEP consultation for families affected by autism through her practice, Campbell Center for Autism in Las Vegas.  Additionally, as a sister of an adult living with an intellectual and physical disability Jessica has much compassion, respect and understanding for people with special needs, as well as their family members.

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Community to Know: New Vista Ranch

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

New Vista Ranch in Las Vegas was founded in 1984 by three sets of parents of intellectually challenged children.  Check out their future plans for a Medical Clinic, Community Outreach Center, Job Development Center and Senior Assisted Living Homes under “Future Projects.”

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Venture Philanthropy in Housing for Adults with Autism

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

A good friend, Scott, and I were talking the other day about fundraising for our respective ventures and he posed a very interesting question – “If someone wanted to donate a million dollars to LTO Ventures, what would you accomplish with that money?”  [Read full article here]

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The LTO Ventures Community Model

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

Read an in-depth description of the LTO Ventures community model here.

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Community to Know: nonPareil.Institute

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

Their website shows plans in development for a community within a community: “…many adults on the autism spectrum will not be able to live entirely on their own. We want them to live as independently as they can, but with the support in place for those areas where they need additional assistance. And so, a campus must be built…Not everyone will choose to live on the campus, but they will have the choice.”  Check them out here.

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Community to Know: Erik’s Ranch & Retreats

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

Erik’s Ranch & Retreats is a beautiful project that very closely aligns with LTO Ventures’ live/work/play model.  Their website describes it this way: “Our living/working model includes residence membership, employment, recreational and other social activities for young adults with autism. We offer two locations: an urban retreat with guest accommodations for volunteers and vacationers in Edina, Minnesota (Minneapolis suburb), and an upscale guest ranch in the heart of beautiful Paradise Valley, Montana. Both locations will become “home” to young adults with autism, but what sets Erik’s Ranch & Retreats apart is that these unique destinations are run by the residents who live there. The resident experience at both is unique — combining home and workplace — to promote learning and personal/social growth, as well as sustainable employment.”

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Autism’s “Fly-Over” Population

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Mark L. Olson

Read our guest post on the Autism Speaks blog.  This is the market we serve with our communities.

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