April is widely recognized as Autism Awareness Month. For years, awareness has helped bring visibility to autism in schools, workplaces, and communities. It opened the door to conversations that once did not exist. Most people already know what autism is. Awareness...
What Is the Self-Determination Program? California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) is a groundbreaking way for people with disabilities to direct their own services and supports. Unlike traditional Regional Center services, where options may be limited to existing...
Action-Based, Not Talk-Based Most autism support groups focus on discussion and shared experience - which can be helpful, but often stop there. Breaking Barriers turns support into action. Every program is built around skill-building, social integration, and...
In today's rapidly evolving work environment, embracing neurodiversity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in human brain function, encompassing conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD),...
Most people treat artificial intelligence like a shortcut - a tool for writing emails, searching faster, or answering quick questions. But for autistic individuals and their support networks, AI can be something far more powerful. From Automation to Empowerment When...
Behavioral challenges don’t disappear in adulthood. Many neurodiverse adults still need support with routines, communication, and social interactions. That’s where behavioral services led by BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) make a difference. These services...
Finding meaningful work shouldn’t be about fitting into a one-size-fits-all job description. For many neurodiverse adults, traditional hiring practices don’t always highlight their strengths. That’s where customized employment and job carving come in - approaches that...
True independence isn’t built in a classroom alone - it’s built in the community. For neurodiverse adults, learning life skills in real-world environments makes all the difference. Community integration programs provide the practice, confidence, and social connections...
A Hidden Crisis Too Often Overlooked For too long, the conversation around autism has focused on diagnosis, not wellbeing. Beneath the surface, however, there’s a quiet but urgent reality: autistic individuals face a dramatically higher risk of mental illness and...
Laughing Together for Inclusion: Breaking Barriers Hosts Community Comedy Event Comedy, Community, and Connection in Culver City Breaking Barriers recently brought the community together for a powerful night of laughter, connection, and inclusion through its latest...
The workplace is changing and inclusion is no longer optional. Companies that embrace neurodiverse hiring don’t just do the right thing; they gain a competitive advantage. Neurodiverse employees bring unique perspectives, strong problem-solving skills, and unmatched...
Paid internships aren’t just about work experience - they’re about confidence, community, and growth. For neurodiverse adults, these programs open doors to professional and personal skills that last a lifetime. If you’re considering whether an internship is the right...
Adults with developmental disabilities don’t have it easy. But far too often in our society, this leads to people writing them off as helpless. Thankfully, a Los Angeles-area non-profit corporation is devoting themselves to helping developmentally disabled adults live their lives outside of the bubble to which they’re so often relegated. The organization is called Breaking Barriers. And as we found out in our latest Community Spotlight, they’re passionate about helping their participants help themselves.
Thanks to Breaking Barriers I have become a better adult in many different ways. The amount of support and encouragement that this program offers has been helpful in my life. I have learned many new techniques that I can use for day to day living. Thanks to Breaking...
I want to talk about abilities. We all have them, some good and some bad. Some we take for granted, some are hidden from us. Some abilities are abundant and clear. Are we using our abilities or wasting them? Let’s use a simple example : Do you have the ability to make...
My name is Adriana and I am a client at the Westside Regional Center, I am also a part of the Self Advocacy group. I have attended several different programs throughout the years at the Regional Center. Some programs I felt I was treated unfairly; others did not fit...
It happened and I was determined that our agency’s policies would be vastly different. Breaking Barriers takes a person-centered approach to support. Our participants decide what they want to work on, they choose their goals, they determine how long it will take. We are here to work for the person. We do not believe there is something wrong with a person that has a developmental disability. We are all different and we all require different support in our lives. We are no better than others. There is no them and us, we are all equal. We are all human, working our way through life, and finding our own happiness. The better way is knowing this, living this, and running a support agency with these ideals as the foundation.