Highlands Center for Autism Opens its Doors
7/30/2009
On Tuesday, July 28th, Highlands Health System set a benchmark for Kentucky with the opening of the Highlands Center for Autism. The Center provides a specialized full-time private education option for children diagnosed with the condition, and is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth. At its opening, the school became a part of daily life for four of the area’s young children. While in attendance, they will be educated and treated in a 1:1 student to teacher ratio under a model called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This is a research-based method for the treatment of autism. The p
rogram has been designed to “mirror” the Center for Autism at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, an organization that Highlands has been consulting with closely to develop the Center in Prestonsburg.
The statistics for autism are staggering. According to the CDC roughly 1 in every 150 children in the U.S. are born with autism, with males 4 to 5 times more likely to have it. While demand for autism treatment is very high, there remain a limited number of facilities, nationwide, that offer treatment services. With the support of local families, communities, and many other local and state organizations, Highlands Health System was compelled to launch the Center for Autism, in Prestonsburg. Highlands is proud to become a leader in this great cause. “I know the program at Highlands will not only be a success, but it will be a ‘jewel’ in the state of Kentucky for the treatment of children with autism,” said Leslie Sinclair, Program Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism.
With all of its backing and support, the Center made it from the drawing board to its grand opening in just about a year. Many people at Highlands and members of the community have worked hard while awaiting this past Tuesday when it opened its doors. Commenting on the opening, Shelli Deskins, Ph.D., Director of Highlands Center for Autism said “It was quite a successful day. I am confident that our children will make great progress and that we’ll grow quickly.” Continuing to emphasize the importance of this program, and its prospects for success, she added “We’ve assembled a talented group who work wonderfully with the Children.”
The Center is sure to bring hope to many families, having children with autism, through the opportunity it provides. The ultimate goal is for each child to achieve successful integration back into their regular school districts, and to improve their everyday lives. Highlands Health System and the Center’s Staff are all confident in the ABA based program; it has been scientifically proven to be effective in the treatment of autism. Currently, the Center has the ability to accommodate up to 20 students, ranging in ages from as early as diagnoses all the way through grade school, and into early adulthood. With likely growth in the future, the Center for Autism is loaded with the potential to touch the lives of many.
“We are so fortunate to have a President/CEO and members of the Board of Directors who recognized this critical need and took swift action to make this a reality,” said Shelli Deskins, Ph.D., expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work with the kids who will be attending the Center. Dr. Deskins and Highlands Health System are conscious of autism and its ability to affect anyone regardless of socio-economic status, religion, or geographic location. It is for this reason that Highlands Health System will be continuing to promote the support of this cause, and extending the Center’s services, through the Highlands Foundation’s “Changing Lives” Funding Project. This charitable gift giving campaign will eventually allow for the Center to offer scholarships for children who might not otherwise be able to attend, and also offer additional financial support for its services.
“We hope to see the Center grow and create additional components that will one day position it to become a regional and national resource for the diagnoses and treatment of children with autism,” said Harold C. Warman, Jr., President and CEO of Highlands Health System, as he discussed the importance of bringing this needed service to the community. Highlands is proud to lead the way, in Kentucky, to treat children with autism. It’s been exciting for all of those who have worked on the Center and watched it come together. Now, they remain excited for its future growth and success, and especially excited for the many lives the Center for Autism is sure to touch.