A New Autism Resource in Asheville!

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by Sylvia van Meerten
on Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Autism Community Center in Asheville, NC

A new resource for people with autism is opening in Asheville, NC! The Autism Community Center of Asheville was founded by a group of parents, educators, and community support professionals as a nonprofit 501 c (3) organization intended to serve as a focal point for the autism community in Asheville, NC.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that an average of 1 in 110 children in the U.S. has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). That is a significant increase, even since the 2007 estimates (1 in 150). Newly diagnosed children and their parents need community resources that will provide the necessary direction and support.

Currently, state funded services in North Carolina are barely meeting the needs of some individuals, and falling short of the needs of others. Even though our local autism professionals are working their tails off, autism families with services are often underserved in the traditional state system, because it is not customized to the needs of individuals with ASD. Due to budgetary constraints, the state is not accepting any new cases, which means that families who are newly diagnosed are receiving zero services. Parents often feel isolated and ignored. Students are often discouraged after being placed in inappropriate and insufficient after-school programs and activities. Other students and adults are left with no social or life skills training opportunities.

The Autism Community Center of Asheville will contribute to solving these problems by offering activity groups for adults and children with autism, an integrated afterschool program, academic tutoring, counseling services, and a monthly Parent's Night Out. Visit our website and find out more about this innovative project.