News and Events
Printer friendly | 
Email-a-friend
The Homestead receives $10,000 from Aviva Charitable Foundation to fund the Autism Center in Altoona
August 26, 2010
The Homestead was awarded a $10,000 grant by The Aviva Charitable Foundation. Funds will be used to support services at the Autism Center set to open in September 2010.
"The Autism Center will utilize Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. These research-based techniques are geared specifically for children with autism," according to Steve Muller, Executive Director of The Homestead. "Research shows that ABA may eliminate the symptoms of autism for more than 40-50% and alleviate the symptoms for up to 90% when provided early and often. Supporting these children is the right thing to do because every child with autism should have an opportunity to develop to their fullest potential and investing in the child now decreases the need for expensive and life-long supports."
The Center will provide direct intervention services to children with autism using evidence-proven practices while collaborating to provide training and support to families and schools. With the establishment of a centralized location dedicated to autism, The Autism Center will have the ability to treat more children, recruit and train more staff and provide resources to families and professionals seeking to better understand how to respond to the unique needs of autism.
"Research shows that 20 to 40 hours of support each week is necessary for significant growth," Muller said. "The Autism Center will provide 15 to 20 hours of ABA services and engage the family, school and other allied professionals with training and support to complete the remainder of the treatment."
Individuals with autism require specialized assistance and training in order to maximize access to social, educational, vocational and family activities. With that individualized support, amazing things can happen. Individuals learn to communicate more effectively, better care for themselves, develop relationships with those around them and lead more fulfilling lives. The Autism Center in Altoona will serve children with autism and their families within-in a 60-mile radius of the Center.
"The Aviva Charitable Foundation has been very supportive of our organization over the past several years," Muller said. "We are grateful for their support of this new service for children with autism."
One in 110 children born today is expected to develop autism. With the establishment of a centralized location dedicated to autism, The Homestead Autism Clinic will have the ability to treat more children, recruit and train more staff, and provide a resource center for families and professionals seeking to better understand how to respond to the unique needs of autism.
The Homestead is a private, non-profit organization that provides innovative solutions for children and adults with autism, their families and allied professionals. Services are provided to over 150 adults and children in the community, in homes and in a unique agriculture based campus program. Autism is a neurological disorder that severely hinders the way information is gathered and processed causing problems in communication, learning and social skills. For more information, visit our website, www.thehomestead.org or contact us at 888-2-AUTISM.
About The Homestead
The Homestead is a private, non-profit organization that provides innovative solutions for children and adults with autism, their families and allied professionals. Services are provided in the community, in homes and in a unique agriculture based campus program. Autism is a neurological disorder that severely hinders the way information is gathered and processed causing problems in communication, learning and social skills. It occurs in roughly 1 of every 110 births.
