The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism opened May 3 in response to an estimated 300 to 600 autistic students enrolled at UVU.
“Utah has the 3rd highest rate of autism in the country,” said Teresa Cardon, the center’s director. With the number of students on the spectrum being so high, the urgent need for resources was noticed.
“President Holland was actually approached by the business community seven to eight years ago when he started in his position,” said Cardon. Holland received questions regarding autism on campus and how he hoped to address it. This awareness is what initiated plans for the center located by the McKay Education building.
The center for autism is community-based, meaning the services available are not exclusive to students.
“It started with the community. Our mission is so community-based because we are here due to the response to community need,” Cardon said. The center engages the community by looking at what is currently being implemented to support autism. The center then works with them to maintain and improve those actions together. This connection to the community allows UVU to help families find resources. “We can help our community to come together to create more resources,” she said.
The Passages Program is one example of community inclusiveness; it is hosted at the center and invites anyone with a high school diploma to learn about UVU classes, develop interviewing techniques, receive dating advice and other skills catered to students. The program currently serves 30 individuals.
The university has a unique opportunity with open enrollment. “If there are students on the spectrum that are going to attend college, this is a very tempting place to come. You don’t have to take all the terrible, scary tests to get in like other institutions,” Cardon said. Because students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are on campus, the center is training university staff to recognize students with individualized needs and how to adjust the classroom to be better for everyone.
“This is coming at the perfect time to help increase understanding and empathy in the community for individuals with autism,” said Whitney Mecham, a behavioral science student. “These individuals are more than just their diagnosis. They have needs, wants, dreams and ambitions. This center is just the start of helping the rest of us in the community understand those and help them reach their goals and potential.”
Student volunteers are welcome in different areas of need regardless of background or major. Contact the Passages Program to help tutor, join the Neurodiversity Club or volunteer for events such as the summer soccer camp.
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