UCLA Extension program opens doors for students with developmental disabilities

Since the age of 13, Bryant Horowitz has had to support his family, with his father suffering from heart failure and diabetes and his mother suffering from pneumonia and diabetes. Three years ago, both of his parents passed away, leaving him to take care of his brother, who has autism.

“The worst part was controlling my brother when I told him that our mother had died. … I had to deal with my brother’s uncontrollable emotions. That was the hardest day of my life,” Horowitz said.

While living with autism is difficult for patients and their families, the disorder affects those who have it in varying degrees of severity. Some, like Horowitz’s brother, are dependent on others, and some are completely self-sufficient.

Horowitz, a 29-year-old UCLA doctorate student in behavioral neuroscience, is now the primary caretaker of his 31-year-old brother, Ethan Horowitz, who has “pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.”

“I worry that he’s going to be dependent on me for the rest of his life because he didn’t get the help he needed from my parents,” Bryant Horowitz said. “The burden falls on me.”

Autism profoundly affects not only those who suffer from the disorder, but the members of their families as well.

“People don’t take (into) account … the amount of stress and energy it takes to care for an autistic person,” Horowitz said.

Andrew Cohen, whose 15-year-old son Drew suffers from autism, said that coping with the disorder can be frustrating and has a certain emotional cost. He explained that his son is like a perennial baby ““ since Drew Cohen cannot speak, he would be unable to call for help if he was injured or sick, or in the case of an emergency such as a fire.

“It affects (our family) a lot,” said Andrew Cohen. “He has to be watched all the time.”

While some people with autism rely on family members, others are capable of living completely on their own.

Joey Schwartzman is a first-year undeclared student in Pathway, a two-year certificate program through UCLA Extension for students with developmental disabilities that began in September 2007. Schwartzman lives in an apartment with three other students who are also enrolled in Pathway.

Schwartzman and his roommate Mehrdad Sajjadi both have autism. The two 21-year-olds lead normal lives, doing things such as attending classes, hanging out with friends and going on dates.

Sajjadi said that he likes his roommates and that they all generally have few problems getting along with each other. If problems do arise, the roommates can turn to a resident assistant or the Pathway office.

Sajjadi takes computer and painting classes and also enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Heidi, who is also in the Pathway program. He notes that he does face certain challenges because of his disorder.

“It is pretty hard to be autistic and independent because it is hard to go places you don’t know or recognize the city,” Sajjadi said.

Autistic students tend to have a variety of academic interests that are as diverse as those of anyone else, said Eric Latham, executive director of the Pathway program. He added that in addition to a broad range of academic courses in the program, Pathway students also learn life skills.

Schwartzman said that he is interested in pursuing a career working in television or radio broadcasting.

Bryant Horowitz said that his brother dreams of being a tour guide or heading a cruise ship.

However, Ethan Horowitz faces certain obstacles that may obstruct his aspirations. As with others who have autism, the specific nature and degree of his disorder may shape his employment opportunities.

It is difficult for Ethan Horowitz to find a job because he has to work at his own pace and has no ability to multitask, Bryant Horowitz said.

Ethan Horowitz once had a job for six weeks packing books in boxes to be shipped to schools.

“His work level for the first week or second was pretty good. Then he dropped off,” Bryant Horowitz said.

Horowitz tried to get his brother involved with UCLA Facilities Management, which employees people with autistic, but after viewing his records, the regional center determined that Ethan Horowitz’s condition is not severe enough to be classified as autism.

“The problem with my brother is he’s what people call a “˜tweener.’ He definitely has disabilities, but according to regional centers, he is too functional,” Bryant Horowitz said.

Horowitz hopes to contribute to a cure for autism, drawing on his lifelong experience living with and caring for his brother.

“I definitely took an interest in the biological aspects of psychology to learn more about what may be wrong with him, and I have continued on ever since,” he said.

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