University News

Western Illinois University Autism Center Awarded Galesburg Community Foundation Grant

July 11, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - - The Western Illinois University Autism Center of Excellence is proud to be selected as a recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Galesburg Community Foundation's annual grant cycle, The Turnout.

The grant will expand the Autism Center of Excellence (WACE)'s autism and family services in west-central Illinois. WACE provides no-fee autism evaluations for children up to age 5, reducing the need for families to travel outside of the region and improving the likelihood of a child receiving crucial early intervention services. In the first year since opening, WACE has received more than 50 referrals across the 145-mile geography region surrounding WIU.

"The money from this Galesburg Community Foundation grant will support the graduate students who are being trained in best practices for autism assessment along with expanding the services we can offer to families who may not otherwise be able to access a timely autism assessment," WIU Psychology Associate Professor and WACE Co-Coordinator Leigh Ann Fisler said. "The support from this Turnout grant helps us support families as they navigate the complex system of early childhood services for children with autism and other neurodiverse needs."

WACE is a collaboration between WIU's Speech Pathology and Audiology and Psychology departments and is staffed with faculty and graduate assistants from both departments. The Galesburg Community Foundation furthers the efforts and impact of the WACE staff.

"This grant supports WACE in launching a new model of evaluation to serve more than double the families we saw last year and reduce the wait time for autism evaluations, which is currently 24 months in our region," WIU Speech Pathology and Audiology Instructor and WACE Co-Coordinator Nicole Pierson said. "We are truly grateful for the Galesburg Community Foundation's recognition of our important work in the region and their vote of confidence in the impact we are making for children and their families."

The Expanding Service Delivery with the Western Autism Center of Excellence project is made possible by a grant from the Panther Family Foundation Fund and the GCF Community Impact Fund at the Galesburg Community Foundation.

To learn more about WIU's Autism Center of Excellence, visit wiu.edu/autismclinic.

Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing