Celebrating Differences

By Emily Hamilton

Texas Tech’s Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research is gearing up to celebrate Autism Awareness Month in April.

Kelly Golden, a project coordinator at the center, said one of the upcoming events is the “What Matters” conference, scheduled for April 22-23. The conference will serve as a venue where parents can network and share experiences with other families across West Texas, as well as get access to resources for children with developmental disabilities.

The conference will be followed by the annual Walk for Autism Awareness on Sunday, April 24, which is a part of the center’s fundraising efforts for its various programs.

Until the 1990s, many people considered autism an untreatable condition, but the faculty, staff and volunteers at The Burkhart Center have worked hard to refute this belief.

The facility was given its namesake after Jere Lynn and Jim Burkhart, who have made large contributions to the development and funding of the research center. The Burkhart Center opened its doors in October 2005, with a mission to enhance the quality of life of those diagnosed with autism, as well as their families.

Many opportunities are created here, such as a Quizno’s restaurant, which is staffed and run by students with autism. The center hosts monthly “Parents’ Night Out” events sponsored by local businesses, and also offers outpatient services, intensive behavioral intervention clinics, family resource support lines, connections for academic and student employment and Saturday workshop series.

Statistics from the National Autism Indicators Report, released in 2015.

The effort is timely. More than 40,000 students with autism spectrum disorders will transition out of Texas public schools in the next 10 years, according to predictions from the Texas Education Agency. About half are expected to attempt some type of postsecondary education or training.

The 2015 National Autism Indicators Report shows 58 percent of young adults with autism obtained a job for pay outside their homes after completing high school. Furthermore, 31 percent of young adults with autism have lived away from their parents at some point, according to the data.

For those who will seek a college degree, Project CASE: Connections for Academic Success and Employment at the Burkhart Center provides extensive support and service. The project was established through a grant from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.

DeAnn Lechtenberger, director of community outreach said the Burkhart Center has the most comprehensive college support program for students with developmental disabilities in Texas. It has helped 14 students graduate with degrees in architecture, music, computer science, psychology, child development, general studies, business, and university studies.

Artwork created by students at the Burkhart Center displayed at the “First Friday Art Trail” in November. Photo provided by the Burkhart Center.

“We are one of the very few from across the country providing a fully inclusive college support program that leads to degrees and certifications from both a community college and/or a four-year university and support to find competitive employment after graduation,” Lechtenberger said.

The Burkhart Center’s utmost priority is making sure its students are actively involved in the community. In November, several pieces of artwork displayed at the monthly “First Friday Art Trail” event were created by students at the Burkhart Center.

To stay up to date with the progress of the Burkhart Center, read its monthly newsletter.