FAYETTEVILLE -- A planned community would provide a place for residents across all mental spectrums to live, learn and work.
The Town and Gown Advisory Committee on Monday heard from representatives of Spectrum Living Solutions, a nonprofit organization aiming to help autistic and neurodiverse people in Northwest Arkansas. Ashton and Betts McCombs, parents with an adult autistic daughter, founded Spectrum with the idea of providing additional resources to an underserved community.
"Spectrum Living Solutions means across the spectrum of neurodiverse populations," Ashton McCombs told a group of about a dozen committee members.
The term neurodiversity refers to a concept in which neurological differences are recognized and respected as any other human variation, according to the National Symposium on Neurodiversity at Syracuse University. Those differences can include autism, Tourette syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The idea is to place clusters of homes, businesses, recreational hubs and educational, artistic and agricultural centers in close proximity on about 50 acres. Ideally, the community would sit near the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus, although nothing is set in stone yet, Ashton McCombs said.
The Town and Gown Advisory Committee is made up of half city government representatives and half university-affiliated representatives and makes recommendations to the decision-making bodies of both entities. Spectrum has partnered with the city and university to help make the idea become a reality.
Unemployment among neurodiverse adults sits at about 85 percent nationwide, said Sandy Wright, Spectrum's executive director. Meaningful employment is critical, she said.
"There are great programs that we have identified not only here but around the country. But everyone's at capacity," Wright said. "There's a need for an additional, expanded program to offer good things for the adults in our community."
The plan for Spectrum Living Solutions will be rolled out in multiple phases.
Chief of Staff Don Marr said the project ties into the city's goal of building a diverse economy.
"This is so Fayetteville," he said. "When we talk about wanting to be a diverse community, it's not just about gay people, it's not just about ERA rights -- it's really about all of our populations. And this is a very underserved population."
NW News on 06/05/2018