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