This is Cohousing | Ep 7 | Different, Not Less: Neuro-Inclusive Living with Desiree Kameka Galloway

What happens to adults with autism when their parents can no longer care for them? It's one of the most urgent and overlooked housing crises of our time — and intentional community may be one of the most powerful answers.In this episode, host Charles Durrett sits down with Desiree Kameka Galloway, Director of the Autism Housing Network and lead consultant for neuro-inclusive housing solutions. Having visited over 120 residential opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 12+ U.S. metropolitan areas, Desiree brings rare, research-backed insight into what's missing — and what's possible.Together, Charles and Desiree explore:Why over 1 million adults with autism currently live with a caregiver over the age of 60 — and what happens nextHow cohousing provides the natural support systems that reduce isolation, prevent abuse, and lower Medicaid costsThe critical difference between neuro-inclusive community and institutionalization — and why policymakers still confuse the twoWhat families and self-advocates should do right now to plan proactively (legal, financial, and community-building steps)Practical tools like communication badges, neuro-affirming design principles, and how existing cohousing communities can welcome neurodivergent neighborsThe inspiring example of Solheimar, Iceland — where 45 neurodiverse and 45 neurotypical residents thrive together well into old ageWhy Canada may be where the first North American Solheimar-style community takes rootAs Desiree puts it: "When people find the right housing and support system, they thrive. Don't let fear paralyze you."Whether you're a parent, self-advocate, housing developer, or simply someone who knows someone with autism — this conversation will change how you think about community, belonging, and what inclusive living can look like.Resources mentioned:🌐 Autism Housing Network — autismhousingnetwork.org📖 Neuro-Inclusive Community Design by Charles Durrett📖 A Place in the World — free at the Autism Housing Network🌐 The Cohousing Company — cohousingco.com🌐 National Cohousing Alliance — cohousingalliance.org For more info visit ⁠[⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.cohousingco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠](www.cohousingco.com)⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/CohousingCo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠ *Bossa Antigua* Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/