Deborah Flaschen is the mother of a 35-year-old autistic man and the visionary behind 3LPlace, a groundbreaking program for adults with developmental disabilities. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional adult disability services, Deborah and her team created a replicable model that emphasizes self-direction, choice, and meaningful participation.Since its founding in 2014, 3LPlace has provided a rich, individualized curriculum developed in collaboration with clinicians, educators, and academics. The program prioritizes communication, relationship-building, creativity, and joy, while strengthening skills in self-care, social engagement, and problem-solving. With a high staff-to-member ratio and flexible participation, 3LPlace demonstrates that quality, person-centered adult programs can be more empowering and cost-effective than conventional models.

Deborah will share insights from her journey building 3LPlace, highlighting the power of presuming competence, fostering autonomy, and creating community where adults with developmental differences can thrive.