Latisha Johnson, a single mom from Bridgeport, says she loves her 24-year-old son Christian "more than life itself."

But there's a problem.

"Christian has Level 4 autism and he's non-verbal - and because he's not getting the kind of intensive support he needs, which he can only get in a group home, he's becoming physically violent with me. He's broken my arm in two places, he's knocked me out, he's gouged my eyes and clawed my face and back, leaving me covered with scars. I've been to the emergency room multiple times," she said.

The mom says the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS), which oversees her son's needs, has yet to place him in a group home.

"We've been waiting for years - and there're 14 residential spots available right now," she said.

State Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox says she's advocating on the family's behalf in an effort to speed up a residential placement for Christian.

"The Americans With Disabilities Act was created, in part, for individuals exactly like Christian who are non-verbal can't ask for the resources they need - and that's why we have to speak for them now," Gadkar-Wilcox said.

DDS declined to comment, citing HIPAA privacy laws.