The Murray State Board of Regents approved on Friday establishing a Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
School Psychology Program coordinator Sean Simons will serve as the center director. This is housed in the Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling department within the College of Education and Human Services.
Simons said the center will provide timely and affordable diagnostic services, which can cost up to thousands of dollars without insurance or $500 with insurance. He said the center will provide services for $250.
The center will also provide support services to parents and schools through training and workshops.
“One could count on one hand how many centers are offering these different services and that span goes for hundreds of miles,” Simons said.
According to the CDC, about 1 in 59 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder.
Simons said early intervention is key for students to overcome the “unique barriers” they face.
He said the center intends to offer services throughout the region. It will be housed in the College of Education and Human Services.
The center is anticipating beginning services on August 22.
Regents also voted Friday to establish a Center for Computer and Information Technology.
Clarification: This article has been updated to clarify that Sean Simons is the program coordinator of the School Psychology Program in the Educational Studies, Leadership, and Counseling department within in the College of Education and Human Services. This is not affiliated with the university's Department of Psychology or College of Humanities and Fine Arts.
