A Message from the President
Pam Ferro, RN ASN

About a year ago, many wonderful people responded to my request to come together to plan a complete, active treatment center for children and meaningful work opportunities for adults with Autism.

The resources that already exist in the community are a good start but stop somewhat short of offering specialized health treatments to support the metabolic recovery of children with Autism.  As the population of those with autism ages, adults with ASD will need to enter the work or higher education world in an individualized, productive, meaningful way using their skills, interests, and strengths.

As the video above powerfully illustrates, the world constantly demands that people with Autism adapt to it, with all its noise, pollution, over-stimulation, and fast pace. This can be a challenge for anyone but is especially difficult for people with sensory issues, social differences, or serious dietary and metabolic needs. The Gottschall Autism Center will meet people with Autism where they ARE and work from there to heal, help, and teach.

The Center will be an active campus; one that invites and welcomes community involvement. The goal is NOT to develop an isolated village, but rather to cultivate a ‘community within the community’ specifically designed to meet the needs of the people with Autism.

Families, friends, professionals, and neighbors are all part of the planning and will be the people who support the Gottschall Autism Center and its participants as they learn and work in an appropriate environment designed and run by people with Autism and by people who understand Autism.

Three of the main areas of focus for the Adult Program will be:

    Organic farming

    Business and operations employment

    College and employment preparedness

Organic vegetables and fruits are specifically indicated for people with metabolic and toxicity problems, so they provide the appropriate foods for these adults and children.  Farming in a pesticide free and chemical-fertilizer free environment will provide an excellent work opportunity for those who would enjoy this type of activity. This will also be an excellent tie to the surrounding community.  In addition to farming, we will offer employment opportunities in the areas of sales and marketing (both on the internet and at the farmstand), general office work, and maintenance of the Center.

We will partner with the Autism Higher Education Foundation in creating access to higher educational opportunities in the field of Agriculture and Farming Science.  Our Board Member, Attorney Vanda Marie Khadem, is currently working on this endeavor which is showing tremendous promise and generating great interest in the higher education community.

Our Children’s Program will be guided by an advisory council comprised of national and regional experts in various specialties appropriate to the active treatment of autism.  Families of newly diagnosed children will be educated about their child’s diagnosis, including the health and developmental implications of Autism.  We will support families so that they can reclaim their optimism for their child’s future.

The four main areas of focus of the Children’s Program are:

    Health

    Diet

    Financial and legal services

    Family relationships

We will teach the correlation between an individual’s health, behavior, and cognitive abilities.  Most children with autism are sick with gastrointestinal and metabolic problems that may be unrecognized and therefore untreated.  We will customize nutritional plans so that families can successfully implement a healthful diet.

Having a child with autism creates intense responsibilities for parents.  Identifying every available resource, program, funding source, and advocacy avenue are monumental and time-consuming projects. Financial planning and advocacy needs to start early and persist throughout not only the parents’ lives, but for the entirety of the child’s life.

Having a child with Autism also presents many unique challenges which can stress a family or marriage to the breaking point. Families need support and direction around these issues; first to make life tolerable—then to make it joyous again.

The Gottschall Autism Center is committed to becoming a national model of how to treat, nurture, and enrich the lives of individuals with Autism.  We will continue to explore pathways that increase services and educational opportunities such as:

    Campus living for adults

    Outpatient clinics for children and adults

    Conference and special events center

As we continue to chart the exciting future that is in front of the Gottschall Autism Center, many other needs and opportunities will undoubtedly present themselves. The people who are shepherding the development of the Center are the members of the Board of Directors.  Please click here to meet this passionate, hard-working, united team.

I would like to thank Elaine’s daughters:  Judge Joan Gottschall of Chicago and Judy Herod of Toronto for allowing us to use the Gottschall name.  It clearly signifies optimism and good health which is completely consistent with our philosophy and mission.

With your help, The Gottschall Autism Center will be the fruition of the late Elaine Gottschall’s research, kindness, insight, and friendship.  Please consider making a tax-deductible donation or visiting our online store. 

Thank you,

Pam Ferro, RN ASN
President