A $3 million gift to Touro University Nevada’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities could bring it back to its pre-pandemic service levels and beyond.
The gift comes from the country of Qatar and could make behavioral and other therapies free to families through 2027.
Before the pandemic, 10 staff therapists worked with more than 50 children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years old. But the events of the last year, including a three-month closure, have brought staffing down to three therapists working with 11 children, center Director Lisa Kunz said.
Jessica Grimm started bringing her daughter Alivia, 6, to the center in Henderson after the girl’s autism diagnosis two years ago.
It’s a commitment, because the family lives in Laughlin, but the positive impacts on Alivia’s patience and communication skills have been tremendous, Grimm said.
“She used to have no patience. Even stopping at a stop sign, stop light, she would scream at the top of her lungs,” Grimm said. Now, the girl makes the 100-mile trek several times a week with ease. The treatment complements the special-needs kindergarten she attends.
One of her friends at the center is Caleb Maves, 8, of Henderson.
Caleb’s parents, Katrina and Kevin, started bringing him to Touro after he was diagnosed with autism at age 6.
Not long after the diagnosis, Katrina Maves said, she saw the big blue puzzle piece, an emblem of autism awareness, on a wall of the Touro building, like a suggestion from the universe.
In his time at the center, Caleb has improved his communication to the point of having full conversations. He and his parents have also learned the importance of structure.
They had considered moving but now plan on staying until Caleb gets too old for the program.
“The therapists here are amazing,” Katrina Maves said. “I don't know where we would be if we hadn't come in here.”
The $3 million gift — the Qatar Patient Care Fund — is being facilitated by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C.
According to a 2019 study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, the prevalence of autism among school-aged children in Qatar is 1.14%, roughly on par with the worldwide average. But little epidemiological data exists on autism spectrum disorders in Arabic countries. The survey was the first of its kind in Qatar, leading government officials to increase its focus on programs and funding to address autism spectrum disorder in Qatar and globally.
“The State of Qatar is proud to take a leading role in working with partners in the United States to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorder can lead full and meaningful lives,” Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the U.S., said in a statement.
“With the establishment of this endowment, we aim to help more people on the spectrum access the health care resources they need. We look forward to supporting Touro University’s mission to innovate new therapies and better serve children and families in Southern Nevada,” the ambassador said.
Kunz said the donation will allow the center to restore its staff and add back disciplines it lost in the pandemic cutbacks, such as occupational and physical therapy.
Touro’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities opened in 2008 and had more than 5,800 patient appointments in 2019.
Touro University Nevada CEO and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley said the gift is one of the most meaningful the school has received. It could be used to extend patient eligibility up to age 20 and hire an in-house pediatric neuropsychiatrist, she said.
Kunz has witnessed major breakthroughs, like a nonverbal child starting to speak with the phrase, “I love you, mommy.”
She hopes to have more moments like that soon.
“The possibilities will be endless,” she said.