Fourteen-year-old Thomas Garcia is in class at the Autism Treatment Center, calmly playing with a toy while he shares a table with two other students.
Its a remarkable accomplishment, according to his mother, Tracy, who wipes her eyes as she describes how, just a year ago, his behavioral issues caused the Garcia family to walk on eggshells in our own home.
Thomas has a dual diagnosis of autism and Down syndrome, and his mother watched helplessly for years as therapists, doctors and special-education classes couldnt get through to him. That was before Thomas began attending school at ATC.
After years without progress, we have hope now, Garcia said. For the first time, I can say that hes happy.
One in 68 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, according to a 2014 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Autism Treatment Center, 16111 Nacogdoches Road, is San Antonios first and only provider of autism services that meet the needs of individuals at every stage of life.
A Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services program works with early diagnosis and treatment of children up to the age of 9 on speech, behavior and occupational therapy.
The TEA-certified school houses students from ages 12 to 20 with severe autism who require one-on-one attention. They all went to public schools before, but have such behavior issues that they couldnt stay. One student has his arms wrapped so he cant bend his elbows and self-inflict any more injuries.
ATC also operates six group homes and 38 adults in its program. Adult services include horticulture, pottery and piata making.
Jean DeKunders 47-year-old son, Michael, lives in the facilitys group home. Hes been a part of ATC since the program, which started in Dallas, opened a San Antonio location in 1978. She said because the focus of autism treatment often is on children, there are few local resources for adults with the disorder.
Theres so much focus on diagnosing autism, and its sometimes forgotten that this is a lifelong ordeal, DeKunder said. I wont be here forever to take care of him. For me, ATC is so many things, but its also peace of mind for when Im gone. My son wont be homeless and alone.
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S.A. Gives - Autism Treatment Center