Who We Are

The Ellison Development Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder (EDC for ASD) was founded by husband and wife team, Sara and Patrick Ellison with their son, Frankie, in mind. 

Now almost six-years-old, Frankie was diagnosed with ASD at the age of two. 

As parents who had just received this diagnosis, it was difficult for them to know where to begin and to understand how to help their own child. 

Through years of research and reaching out to others in the community and around the United States, they began to get a better picture of the ASD world. 

They researched both private resources and government programs, both of which had their own challenges. Private resources, while difficult to find, can also be very expensive. 

Government programs are usually understaffed and underfunded. Both private and public options come with waiting lists that could be months or years long. 

Autism is becoming more prevalent in the United States year after year, with one in 44 children being diagnosed in 2022. 

The Ellisons realized that education centers geared toward children with ASD are more needed than ever before. 

They also discovered that understanding the nature of ASD early on can be crucial to changing the trajectory of the disorder. 

That’s why they’re creating EDC for ASD, a facility that will be equipped with qualified staff and therapists to provide families with the support, tools and confidence they need to help their children be successful through their education and beyond. 

EDC for ASD’s mission is to provide the necessary therapy, early learning and elementary school education by experienced professionals for all children with ASD, regardless of race, sex or religion. 

The team believes that early intervention through occupational, speech, physical and nutrition therapy can improve the symptoms of ASD as time progresses.