Autism Treatment Center

Change Lives and Build Brighter Futures for Children and Adults with Autism!

When you donate to the Autism Treatment Center, you support programs that improve the lives children and adults with autism from every area of Texas each year. Our autism-specific services include a year-round school, 26 residential group homes, outpatient therapies, and an adult day program. Our programs change lives and so does your donation!

Meet Sebastian.

For more than seven years, Sebastian has received ABA therapy at the Autism Treatment Center’s Dallas Therapy Clinic. Diagnosed shortly before his third birthday, Sebastian initially enrolled in the Early Childhood Intervention Program. During his early school years, however, he experienced a significant regression in his verbal communication, deeply concerning his mother, Irene.

After Sebastian began receiving therapy at ATC, Irene noticed meaningful improvements. One evening stands out as a particularly memorable turning point. Sebastian repeatedly said the word “ear,” and the following day his pediatrician confirmed that he had an ear infection. Before beginning therapy at ATC, Sebastian would not have been able to clearly communicate that he was uncomfortable.

ATC therapists have worked closely with Sebastian’s Dallas Independent School District teachers to develop an individualized plan supporting his continued growth. Sebastian attends public school during the day and looks forward to spending each afternoon at ATC.

Sebastian also demonstrates impressive strengths in math, calendar dates, and maps. He enjoys creating detailed model roadways, complete with stop signs, traffic lights, miniature trees, and destinations he has studied on Google Maps using his iPad.

Through targeted therapy, Sebastian’s speech and social skills have improved dramatically. When his younger sister was an infant, Irene was often afraid to take both children out without her husband because Sebastian might run off. Today, the family can safely enjoy community activities together, including attending baseball games. Irene is deeply grateful for ATC’s dedicated and compassionate therapists who, by helping Sebastian develop positive behavioral skills, have given the entire family greater confidence and freedom.

For Sebastian and his family, ATC’s support has helped transform communication challenges into new opportunities for connection.

Meet Mauricio.

When Mauricio was diagnosed with autism at age 4, his mother, Esther, began searching for the right support to help him thrive. Mauricio struggled with communication and socializing, which often affected his confidence and caused mood swings.

Esther first enrolled Mauricio in speech therapy at a nearby clinic, but she saw a dramatic difference after he began receiving services at ATC’s Applied Behavior Analysis Clinic at age 6. From the start, she appreciated the proactive support ATC staff provided, including helping coordinate a treatment plan with Mauricio’s public school. That partnership made a meaningful difference for their entire family.

As Mauricio continued his therapy journey, he began to grow in confidence and excel in school. With the help of ATC’s therapists, he learned stress-reducing strategies that helped him succeed not only in the classroom, but at home as well. Esther says the improvement in Mauricio’s daily life brought a new sense of peace and happiness to their whole family.

This year, Mauricio’s hard work paid off in a big way. He earned several school awards, including A/B Honor Roll, First Place in Math Class, and recognition at the Science Fair. He has started 4th grade this fall!

For Esther, Mauricio’s progress is a reminder of how important early intervention and specialized autism services can be. She hopes ATC will continue to grow so that more families can find the support they need and experience the same kind of hope and progress her family has found.