Dr. Wendy Mullins, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, & Craig Mullins, Licensed Professional Counselor, of LMB Farms with family in Spearfish Canyon.

“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism” (Stephen Shore).

As is the case with any words we use to try and define a person, such descriptions like, “she has autism,” “he is autistic,” “she is on the spectrum,” etc. all fall short of understanding the whole person. Yes, these descriptors may be part of the story…but only part; people are not merely defined by labels…unless the label is “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Because humans are complex and multidimensional beings, it takes time to really get to know someone, including the person’s likes, dislikes, personality, passions, interests, dreams, fears, desires, and motivations to live a life with purpose and meaning.

Individuals identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, as well as those impacted by other neurodevelopmental differences, can be isolated:  socially, emotionally, physically and vocationally.  This is often due to challenges associated with emotional regulation, sensory processing, executive functioning or other aspects of cognition, and social interaction. They may be misperceived as not wanting or needing meaningful relationships or social interaction. However, it has been found that social isolation often found in autistic individuals is not due to a lack of desire or need, but rather is explained as differences in the initiation, negotiation, and/or maintaining of meaningful social relationships.

On a daily basis, as mental health professionals, we hear the angst of the families we work with:  their struggles, their isolation, and their desires.  They want their loved ones to be happy, productive, and part of something bigger than themselves, such as a place where they can live, move, and be themselves, fully. Live, Move, Be (LMB) Farms is responding to this community need in a way that has proven successful in other communities.

Certainly, there is a lot to understand about autism and other neurological differences; even professionals who have been in the field for decades continue to reconstruct and reformulate their interpretations. As the world of science comes closer to understanding, individuals and family members directly impacted know firsthand the expense and the physical/mental/spiritual/emotional toll that is oftentimes complicated by a world that is still struggling to understand.

The behaviors and thoughts of autistic individuals can be misinterpreted as impulsive, compulsive, threatening, obsessive, rigid, and disconnected. At the same time, however, these families will readily vouch for the extraordinary gifts and unique blessings that their family member brings to the world. As a community where they are included, we are responsible to listen and understand their voices, dreams, desires and the awesome ideas that result from their unique perspectives.

Autism and neurodevelopmental differences are considered “disorders” and “conditions” according to the medical model, but perhaps this type of labeling is too limiting, over-pathologizing, stigmatizing, and isolating. As a society, we are urged to do better in our understanding, acceptance, respect, and support of our autistic neighbors.

That is the goal of LMB Farms: TO DO BETTER.

The Challenge

• • Emotional, sensory, social, and vocational limitations unnecessarily impact individuals, their families and their community (Persons diagnosed with ASD have a significantly higher rate of unemployment and underemployment. They experience a higher rate of victimization).

• • Many people on the autism spectrum have comorbidities (additional disorders concurrent with ASD, such as profound anxiety, learning disabilities, mood dysregulation, attention problems, etc.) which oftentimes compound the existing difficulties.

• • The best outcomes for people with ASD are associated with early intervention, rather than a “wait-and-see” approach. Early attention to improving the core behavioral symptoms of autism gives children, and the rest of the family, multiple life-long benefits.

• • Many people on the autism spectrum struggle to do some things that other people may take for granted. They may find it difficult to find the right school or type of education; move from school to college or into employment; maintain a balanced, healthy and nutritious diet; adhere to safety and hygiene expectations; initiate a broad span of leisure and recreational opportunities; travel safely and independently; and begin or maintain a friendship or a relationship. They may face intensified confusion, exclusion, prejudice, isolation, or bullying.  They may have difficulty contributing to family units or marital relationships in capacities other than as a recipient of caregiving.

• • Relatives and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders also have important considerations that may be overlooked or minimized. They can carry the worry and exhaustion of caregiving; face the frustration of trying to cope with other people’s attitudes, ignorance and prejudice (a problem also faced by people with autism themselves); become disheartened by the lack of high quality information about interventions that can help or by poor quality of available services designed to help them; or be concerned about the diagnosis itself and what it may hold for the future.

• • Adults on the autism spectrum face many issues and challenges on a daily basis. Some issues, such as difficulties with communication or excessive anxiety, affect many people with ASD whatever their age. Other issues, such as finding and keeping a job, are more likely to affect autistic adults.

• • Some children and young people on the autism spectrum also demonstrate challenging and disruptive behavior (such as anger/aggression, irritability, self-injurious behavior and tantrums).

There are approximately 4,000 people diagnosed with autism in the Black Hills region, which covers much of the cattle belt: North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Resources for families in the Black Hills region are limited, requiring many families to travel to larger metropolitan areas for services, six to eight hours away. Due in part to the travel involved, especially with children with pervasive developmental differences, many families have opted out of seeking an assessment or services.  This leaves them and their child with inappropriate services or no services at all.

Through proper education, treatment, and community support we can dramatically decrease the negative impacts of emotional and social isolation, allowing the expression of ideas, the opportunities to learn from others, and the joy of participating in fulfilling experiences.  In this way, people are provided with a chance to recognize their roles as contributors, creators, inventors, problems solvers, and agents of change and progress that makes life fulfilling.

Changing the Outcomes

LMB Farms will appreciate, support, and uphold the lives of those impacted by autism spectrum disorder and neurological differences by providing multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment, multidisciplinary intervention, education/awareness, vocational training, and various community-driven opportunities for people with autism and neurological differences.

LMB Farms’ focus is on the following:

Intervention

Intervention will be offered utilizing a developmental, relationship-based perspective that enables the parents/caregivers to become the “experts” in providing a meaningful approach for their child: The Greenspan Floortime Approach. Additional services will include Psychotherapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy and theater, Hippotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Physical Therapy as is appropriate to the needs of the specific individual and family. Involvement of parents and siblings will be encouraged in order to help extend the therapeutic efforts to daily life and interactions.

Education / Awareness

Staff will engage in community education and awareness through contacts with physicians and medical professionals; school outreach; community programs /services outreach; and Tribal outreach.

Awareness and Screening will focus awareness on the signs and symptoms of ASD, and the importance of screening in order to appropriately assess and provide proper treatment.

Outreach will use local media publications, brochure handouts, targeted mailings, social media, in-person meetings, professional training, public presentations, educational seminars, and online publications.

Vocational Training

Farming will be the key vocational tool to empower meaningful and productive work. Specializing in eggs, caring for therapeutic animals, hydroponically grown vegetables, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) veggie shares, and more. LMB Farms products will be available at local markets & businesses around the Rapid City area.

The goal is to build on the experience and interests of each participant, helping them develop vocational skills they may apply to their work at the farm and elsewhere. Through regular workshops, training from job coaches, and hands-on experience gained from serving on work crews; program participants will become experienced and knowledgeable in their roles at the farm. With these skills, they will be better able to transfer experiences to other careers in agriculture & elsewhere.

Community

Community gatherings are hosted to foster and reinforce social connections. It is a time to laugh, to play, to share, and to listen…a time to build upon friendships. In addition, LMB Farms will offer supported independent living options for appropriate individuals who have a desire to live as a community on a working farm.

Great things are happening at LMB Farms

Since LMB’s inception in 2015, nearly 400 individuals & families have received psychological & counseling services.

Through a cooperative agreement with Black Hills Works, in February 2018 we started a therapeutic greenhouse for people of all abilities to engage in purposeful work and meaningful community. During the summer of 2018, a “Work Crew” of 6 teenagers diagnosed with ASD and/or ADHD harvested and sold @ 1200 heads of lettuce and 300+lbs. of tomatoes to Regional Health Rapid City Hospital. In addition, and equally important, they formed community!

Currently, we have two young adults with ASD working with an independent living & life skills program through the local school district, and we want to add more, but we just don’t have the resources at this time to make it happen and have had to put people on a waitlist. We will continue to grow produce throughout the fall and winter, and we will be hiring a greenhouse manager to oversee the growing operation, as we raise funds to hire more job coaches.

Here’s the most exciting part…

 An 11-acre property has been identified just outside of city limits to support additional greenhouses, a therapeutic clinic, therapy animals, vocational training programs, assisted / independent living apartments, professional education trainings and collaboration, and unique co-op homeschooling options. We’ve begun the fundraising process and plans are in place to move the current therapeutic clinic to the property in 2019.

Yes, great things are happening…this is a community endeavor and we’d like to invite YOU to participate in its formation and help make a huge difference in the lives of people throughout this region.

How You Can Be Involved

1. Directly support the people & families we serve with a monthly or one-time donation.
2. Sign up for LMB Farms’ Weekly eNewsletter
3. Volunteer: to volunteer at the greenhouses & farm follow this link
4. Join the Board: if you are interested in joining us as a board member please contact us for a tour of the farm, clinic & greenhouses to explore the possibility.
5. And lastly, share the cause on social media!