The Auburn University Autism Center has received a grant in the amount of $188,000 per year for the next three years from the Alabama State Department of Education. The funds were part of a special education State Improvement Grant awarded to Alabama by the United States Office of Special Education Programs in Washington, D.C.

The Auburn University Autism Center was established in August 2003 with the vision of providing much needed services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Alabama and the Southeast. 

"There is a sense of urgency relative to our vision as prevalence rates for autism have increased dramatically and have been proposed as high as 1 in 250 children," said Dr. Robert Simpson, a professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education. 

Since the Center's establishment, Simpson and Dr. Caroline Gomez, co‑directors of the Center, have worked to secure funding in order to make comprehensive services available to individuals with ASD, their families, schools and other agencies whose goal is to optimize the potential of individuals with ASD. 

"The financial support provided through grant funds will provide much needed assistance in translating the Center's vision into a model demonstration site for best practice and for providing outreach consultation for families, teachers and related professionals," Gomez said. 

"When fully funded, the Autism Center will eventually be able to provide diagnostic services, as well as provide opportunities to conduct research relative to effective intervention strategies for children with ASD," Simpson added.