Autism Charlotte

Autism Charlotte is unique among those that serve the autism community in that we focus our efforts on creating inclusion-based opportunities and programs for children and young adults impacted by autism.

• Our mission is to ensure children and young adults impacted by autism the right and opportunity to achieve their most fulfilling, productive, and independent lives.
• Our vision is to be a leader in transforming Charlotte/Mecklenburg into becoming a model autism community – one that visibly embraces and integrates individuals with autism into our society. 

Each of our programs are strategically designed to provide opportunities to fully integrate individuals living with autism into our society and recognize their unique abilities, gifts, and talents.  We accomplish this through our inclusion-based programs. The term "inclusion" typically refers to the practice of intentionally integrating individuals with disabilities into a setting where there are individuals without disabilities. Through our programs, we provide opportunities for children with autism to interact and to be intentionally integrated with “non-affected” or "typical" individuals (i.e., both terms refer to individuals without disabilities), all the while subtly structuring the environment to meet the specific needs of the children with autism.  Through these interactions, the special children we serve teach patience, tolerance, and understanding to our non-affected community, offering typical peers and community volunteers a life-changing experience. In turn, they have more respect and acceptance for anyone who is different.

Programs and Services:

• Extended Learning & Development: An innovative service delivery model, offered in various Charlotte-Mecklenburg School and YMCA of Greater Charlotte locations, offers children on the autism spectrum a balance of educational and social learning; individualized skill development training; recreational opportunities; and personal support in their natural setting; among typical student peers; during afterschool and summer hours, and with a 1 to 3 staff to affected child ratio.

• University Autism Outreach Program: An innovative in-home and community-based program that connects children with autism with college students seeking to gain meaningful autism-related experience. Students are strategically matched with families, and under the training, direction, and supervision of credentialed staff, provide care, one on one coaching, skill development, and a wide variety of support to children and families impacted by autism.

• iCan Bike Camp: A community-based program designed to serve children and young adults with a wide range of disabilities, utilizing a nationally recognized model. Participants are taught and supported in learning to ride a conventional bicycle. The primary goal of the program is to increase independence and build self-confidence.

• PATHS Program (Preparing Adolescents to Transition from High School): A new, cutting-edge curriculum specifically targeted towards high school students with Asperger’s and similar disorders; delivered in a college setting (currently Queens University of Charlotte and UNCC), with teaching, skill development, training, simulated and real life experiences, and enrichment activities that are designed to help participants plan and prepare to successfully transition from high school to a higher educational learning environment.