Parkview Huntington Hospital plans to open an autism treatment center next year, Parkview Health officials announced Tuesday.
The Parkview Huntington Hospital Autism Center will serve children ages 2 to 18, offering therapeutic and rehabilitation services. Families of autistic children will also be able to attend support group meetings at the center, officials said.
Estimates place the number of children affected by autism at one in 88, including one in 54 boys, and rising. Experts say its unclear whether detection is improving or more children are affected by the serious developmental problem.
Autism spectrum disorders affect a childs ability to communicate and interact with others. Symptoms and severity vary but generally appear in children before age 3. Autism costs the U.S. $137 billion each year, according to Autism Speaks.org.
Officials plan to open with capacity of 10 patients and expand to serve up to 40. Indiana Applied Behavioral Analysis will provide some trained staff. The Parkview Huntington Foundation has pledged $45,000 of the $70,000 needed for the centers startup, Parkview spokesman Eric Clabaugh said.
The autism center will serve children throughout the region. Parkview Health chose the Huntington County hospital in part because of interest shown by Dr. Duane Hougendobler, who practices there, and the community, Clabaugh said.
This is a very exciting step in the treatment of autism in this area, Darlene Garrett, the hospitals chief operating officer, said in a written statement. There currently is no treatment center for autism north of Indianapolis. Our center will be of tremendous help to local families.
The center will be housed in two buildings. Physical and occupational rehabilitation will be offered in the 36-bed hospital, 2001 Stults Road. Education, cognitive and behavioral therapy will be offered at 2806 Theater Ave., Huntington.
Therapy for autism patients can focus on reducing problem behaviors and teaching new skills, according to the Mayo Clinic, a nationally respected health care provider. Other (programs) focus on teaching children how to act in social situations or how to communicate better with other people. Though children dont always outgrow autism, they may learn to function well.
Renovations at both Huntington sites will begin early next year. The center is expected to treat its first patients by June 30.
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Plans set for autism center