$750K awarded for Center for Autism

State of Michigan officials said more people were needed to educate the increasing number of youth who are diagnosed with autism. The College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) responded that it wanted to help in the effort—and was awarded $750,000 by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in 2015. The funding, to be spread out over three years, will assist in starting the Center for Autism, a University of Michigan-Dearborn and Beaumont Health System partnership.

CEHHS Dean Janine Janosky said with nearly 18,000 students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2011 and an estimated 50,000 Michigan residents with ASD, educators with experience with this special need are in demand. “If you look at the prevalence and incidence for diagnosis of the autism spectrum disorder in Michigan, you see there is an increase in both. You also see there is a gap between the number of individuals prepared to work in that profession and the individuals being diagnosed,” she said. “So the college is here to work to fill that gap.”

The goal is to “graduate” at least 225 registered behavior technicians from a 90-day, hands-on training program. In addition, the center will educate 25 board-certified assistant behavior analysts through a certificate program. Trainees will work with students ages 3 through 8 in a classroom setting.

The new center, housed in the building shared by UM-Dearborn’s Early Childhood Education Center and Beaumont’s Center for Exceptional Families, opened in fall 2016.

“This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for children and families to receive comprehensive, coordinated and culturally competent healthcare services for children with multiple disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder,” said UM-Dearborn Chancellor Daniel Little.