History
What began, in 1979, as a small non-profit organization, operating a single group home on Park Road, has now expanded to a successful Residential Services Department, with eight adult group homes for adults with autism, traumatic brain injuries and other disabilties.
Autism Services also has a diverse Community Services Department offering periodic services, such as home and community supports, respite care, and supported employment. The Community Services Department also operates a licensed after school program and a summer camp for children with autism and three alternative family living (AFL) homes.
Our licensed Day Activities Program provides enrichment activities as well as job readiness and vocational services for adults.
ASMC is nationally accredited by the Council On Accreditation (COA) through July 31, 2012.
On Saturday, April 18th, Autism Services of Mecklenburg County celebrated our 30th Anniversary at Covenant Presbyterian Church. The evening’s festivities consisted of a dinner followed by entertainment and the presentation of Leadership and Community Service awards.
Over 100 family members, contributors and community stakeholders were present for this special night. It was a time of remembering special moments, celebrating past accomplishments, and setting goals for the future of Autism Services.
In 1979, Mecklenburg Autistic Group Homes, Inc. (MAGH) opened one of the nation's first group homes specifically designed for people with autism. The Park Road Group Home was originally licensed as a group home for Developmentally Disabled Adults (DDA). In 1982, Park Road became the first group home in Mecklenburg County, and one of the first in North Carolina, to be certified as an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR).
Since that time, the Park Road Group Home has been replaced and seven new homes have been opened. Most recently, the organization acquired an ICF/MR group home for adults with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
In 1997, MAGH was approved to provide Medicaid services for children and adults under the Community Alternatives Program (CAP). These services are provided in the individual’s own home, place of employment, and the community. With the addition of these “Community Services”, MAGH was renamed Autism Services of Mecklenburg County (ASMC). ASMC is currently endorsed to provide services in Mecklenburg and the eight other Counties comprising Piedmont Area Behavioral Healthcare and Pathways.
Recently, Autism Services (ASMC) has begun operating a Day Activities Program. Utilizing the assistance and guidance of vocational coaches, participants learn job skills and operate individual service businesses such as laundry and vending services, and sell gift cards and seasonal gift baskets.
In 2008, Autism Services opened a satellite office in Gastonia in order to expand Community Services to Gaston, Lincoln and Cleveland counties.
