The Autism Society of East Tennessee
It is a community-based organization that improves the lives of all persons impacted by autism spectrum disorders and envisions a community that supports and shows compassion to those people who are affected by autism spectrum disorder by providing accessibility through collaboration, education and support services.
They offer different services which are resources, educational conferences, calendar of autism-related events, awareness news, little champions such as ABA, sensory training, first responder tips, community grants, and IEP meeting tips.
- Address: PO Box 18494 Knoxville, TN 37928
- Phone: (865) 247-5082
Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville
They offer residential services, in-home supports, personal assistance, day services, a Saturday therapeutic recreation program which consists of community-based activities focusing on lifelong education, job skill development, community integration; Employment and Community First (ECF) services, and also host a social group for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome.
The clear focus enables the center to provide well-trained staff, who meet the needs of those in their care. Breakthrough is supported by individual donors, foundations and local, state, and federal governments. They greatly appreciate those who have joined them in their work through donations, in-kind support, sponsorship of fundraising activities or volunteering and are always looking for opportunities to partner with others in order to fulfill their mission.
They provide nurturing and cost-effective housing, connections with families with autism spectrum disorder and community, personal fulfillment through education and training, meaningful work and leisure activities, safety of persons supported, temporary relief for families in need of respite care, training for family members, staff, therapists, instructors and interns learning partnerships with local institutions of higher education.
Breakthrough is licensed to provide a full continuum of services. All of the support and management staff are specially trained to understand the unique needs of adults with an autism spectrum disorder. The current Community Living program provides structured vocational and recreational activities that are full of fun and creative activities aimed at encouraging successful avenues for learning.
There are many ways you can help this center. Financial donations at any moment are always welcomed and appreciated. It is through the generosity of donors that they are able to offer R and R programs at a low cost to families as well as to expand services out into the community. In addition to cash donations, Breakthrough is now able to accept donations of stock.
There is another way to help Breakthrough by volunteering your time or expertise. Volunteer opportunities include helping at the Respite and Recreation program, serving on a committee, assisting at events such as the Golf Tournament and Run for Autism 5K, and locating corporate sponsors for fundraising.
- Address: 900 E Hill Ave Knoxville, TN 37915
- Phone: (865) 247-0065
- E-mail: [email protected]
Knoxville Center for Autism, Inc. (KCA)
It was opened in March 2010 in order to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The center has since grown and added services, including Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), and Psychological/ Educational testing and diagnostic services. They continue to add programs and offer new services as they identify the need in the Knoxville area. They are a group of dedicated professionals trained specifically in delivering services to children on the autism spectrum disorder and related disorders. The main goal is to help those children reach their full potential.
They offer different services. These services are;
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services
- 1-on-1 ABA-VB Therapy (ages 0-12)
Social Skill Groups (ages 6-15)
Social Outings (all current families at KCA)
Sibling Sessions
Community Outings
Parent Support
Summer Academic Camps (ages 6-13)
Consultations
BCBA Supervision
Training
- 1-on-1 ABA-VB Therapy (ages 0-12)
- Speech-Language Pathology Services
- Speech-Language Evaluations
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Speech-Language Pathology Parent Training Classes
- Speech-Language Evaluations
- Psychological Services
- Assessments
- Address: 9051 Executive Park Drive, Suite 302, Knoxville TN 37923
- Phone: 865-200-5127
Peer Academy of Knoxville
It was founded in 2016 and it is in the process of becoming a fully accredited 501 non-profit school, specializing in the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.
It is a new school that is opened in Fall 2017 with its first kindergarten class. The goal is to grow with students and to become a fully functional school that also offers vocational and life skills programs for young adults with developmental disabilities.The mis
sion of this school is to provide an individualized education where each child is empowered to reach his or her full potential through the development of academics and life skills necessary to become self-sufficient adults. Your tax-deductible donation will help support this much-needed alternative for special needs children in East Tennessee.
It is committed to individualized programs for their students using strong relationships and evidence-based practices in autism spectrum disorder education in order to maximize each student’s potential for leading a self-sufficient life. The mission of Peer Academy is to provide a challenging individualized education, emphasizing peer interaction and collaboration that inspires each child to reach his or her full potential. Peer
Academy provides quality education, while maintaining a low student to teacher ratio, and accommodating each child with individualized programming. Core values are preparing, encourage, empower, respect and partner.
They will prepare their students in order to achieve their fullest potential, utilizing a curriculum tailored to their individual needs. They will encourage their students in order to rise to challenges, overcome barriers, and do their very best. They empower their students by providing a safe, supportive environment in which to learn collaboratively, to help each other and to grow together.
They respect each child’s unique abilities and interests, and they encourage their students to respect their peers in order to form a strong community of learners. Education is a team effort. They strongly believe in partnership with all individuals involved in the educational well-being of their students, parents, and family, and the community to assist in achieving the ultimate unique potential of each of their students.
Peer Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Peer Academy and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
- Address: P.O. Box 22448 Knoxville, TN 37933
- Phone: (423) 277-6697
- Email: [email protected]
Knox Wellness
Integrative and functional medicine approaches widely used by families caring for children or individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. Research suggests that between 30 and 95 percent of children with autism spectrum disorder have been provided with complimentary or alternative medical treatment. However, research on the benefits of these approaches is lacking, so many physicians and health care providers find it difficult to advise families.
At Knox Wellness, they will help patients and parents related to autism spectrum disorder navigate the various approaches and assist in recommending the most researched therapies. Their assistance includes melatonin, omega oils, the elimination/subtraction of diet and more. Functional medicine also emphasizes the importance of gut health, which can affect neurotransmitter function. They also provide advanced testing in order to help with suggesting the best support for the immune system and gut-brain axis.
At Knox Wellness, they always believe it is important to provide all important information to help families decide what’s best for them. If you need help, you can contact Knox Wellness today in order to schedule a consultation with the medical team and find out how autism services can help maintain your child’s overall wellness.
- Address: 9320 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37922
- Phone: (865) 801-9501
- Email: [email protected]
ARCommunity (ARC)
ARC: A Program of Reconnection-Reconciliation-Restoration
The ARCommunity (ARC) serves as a faith-based program created to demonstrate a structured family program model that can restore the hope of recovery and restoration for families and children impacted by difficult and traumatic situations.
Here is where the journey began. The son of the owner of the community gat diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 2.5. There was nothing in parents that could accept this diagnosis for their son or his future. It was not God’s will. His will was for their child to be healthy and whole, full of life and joy.
One morning, parents believe that God woke them up at 3:00 a.m. and imparted the outline of this project/assignment: His plan for an integrated program that addresses the whole person/child: spirit, soul, and body. The journey begins with the parents and as healing and wholeness are attained, it encompasses the household and children, untangling and unraveling whatever binds them and holds them in captivity. God’s heart is for it to be walked out in the community and has the potential, upon broad-scale implementation, to bring healing and restoration to the massive community of individuals and families facing the carnage of trauma.
Over the course of many years, He gave them hundreds of dreams and visions detailing His Heart for His children and the framework of His design and strategy for the ARCommunity. But, the assignment sat on the shelf for many years. God taught them how to release revelation from Heaven to Earth and create a frame for the program to mature into. In April of 2017, God moved Debby Samuels into their lives. God has set His plan in motion. They have all laughed, cried and made a million mistakes along this journey but they think they speak for all of the people related with autism that they wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!
The mission is to walk alongside people through the process of reconnection to God the Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus in order to restore a loving relational connection to Them as the foundation of life. The journey to resurrection life consists of reconnection, reconciliation, transformation, and wholeness. We, as human beings, are cultivating an atmosphere of the Presence of God that is preparing the Body of Christ to fulfill its destiny. As we walk together in community, we are maturing as Children of God together, becoming one and bringing Heaven to Earth.
- Address: 10607 Deerbrook Drive Knoxville, TN 37922
- Phone: (865) 357-7737
ABA Interventions
They provide consultations, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment and therapy, and parent training for families with children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental/ intellectual disabilities.
ABA Interventions knows that every child is unique and will not fit into a “cookie-cutter” therapy program. They provide individualized programming for every family. Your child’s program may include:
- Skill Acquisition
- “How to Learn” Skills
- Verbal Behavior
- Language Development
- Behavior Management
- Independent Daily Living Skills (dressing, toileting, nail clipping, bathing, teeth brushing, etc)
- Community Outings
- Peer Groups
- Social Training
- Parent Training
- Staff / Teacher / Babysitter Training
- Address: 9038 Cross Park Dr., Suite 105 Knoxville, TN 37923
- Phone: (865) 394-6612
- Email: [email protected]
Behavioral Foundations
At Behavioral Foundations, they offer consultation, therapy and support services for families with children, teens or adults on the autism spectrum and other challenges. They provide people who need help with more information about Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA therapy, services in the Knoxville area.
They are a team of compassionate and experienced professionals specializing in the application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), offering therapy and support services through behavioral and educational programs. Their services are based on the unique needs and skills of the individual. All programs are designed to fit these unique interests and abilities in order to help the child with autism reach their individualized goals, while also having fun.
The services they provide are consultation, therapy, support, play and learn sessions, school readiness session, summer social skills camps, and parent connection. They offer consultation services designed to evaluate the needs of the family and individual, as well as to conduct functional assessments for those needs to better identify program goals.
They offer direct therapy teaching many essential skills for independence and socialization. ABA therapy services are offered for implementing the treatment plans outlined in the consultation. Therapy sessions are conducted directly between the client and provider, but therapy sessions can also include siblings, caregivers and family members as needed for overall support and training of the client’s needs.
They understand that families need support as well. They offer sibling, family and caregiver support services to help integrate loved ones into treatment goals. In order to offer integrative services, they also conduct family training sessions in order to help a client’s loved ones learn the principles for both educational and behavioral goals.
- Address: 120 S David Ln, Knoxville, TN 37922
- Phone: (865) 288-7871
