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The center is named for Carmen B. Pingree,a parent with a child with autism, who spearheaded a movement in the late 1970's to get funding to operate a pre-school for children with autism in Utah. Operated by Valley Mental Health, the center is a successful example of a private/public partnership. It provides educational services to students by conducting and supporting research into the cause of autism and its eventual cure. We assist families in coping with the challenges presented by autism, and train current and future teachers and professionals in the best practices and procedures. The center is located at 780 South Guardsman Way, near the University of Utah. This location has made our partnership with the University of Utah Autism Research Project (UARP) even more efficient. Offices of UARP are located at the school to enhance research opportunities in autism that could be beneficial on a national scale.
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The Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children with Autism
Isaac is a 6 year old fun loving boy who likes to watch movies, swing, eat candy, ride horses and swim, swim, swim! He is also affected every day of his life with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is currently a student at The Carmen B. Pingree Center for Children with Autism, a service of Valley Mental Health. He is just about to finish his fourth year there and will enter 2 nd grade in September. Isaac was diagnosed with moderate Autism at 23 months old. It has been said that when you find out your child has a special need it is like mourning a death. The hopes and dreams you had for a typical child are now gone. We very much felt like that. Finding the Pingree Center was an answer to our prayers. We found a caring staff at the Center who truly cares about Isaac and who teach him the skills he will need to function in this world. We honestly believe they are miracle workers there!
When we first observed a classroom at the Pingree Center we saw kids who were doing things like following simple commands, sitting in a chair, making eye contact and other great things! I thought, "Good luck getting Isaac to do these things"!!! Before he started at Pingree he was in his own world and didn't come to our world very often. Now almost 4 years later Isaac is still in his own world at times, but he is following simple commands, he is sitting in his chair for a good period of time, he is making eye contact, he is being potty trained, and best of all, he is using some words to express his wants!
Just before he turned 4, Isaac said his first word. It was "hooray"! We felt like saying it along with him, it was a very exciting time. We know Isaac is where he is today because of the Staff and teachers at the Pingree Center. They are wonderful and we cannot give them enough praise! One day Isaac's teacher emailed me and told me that Isaac came into the classroom after getting off of the bus that morning and planted a kiss right on her cheek. She said, "He must have really missed me over the weekend". That may have been true, but we knew better; Isaac feels safe at school and he knows that his teachers care about him and love him for who he is. Isaac has come so very far but he still has a long way to go.
We are so grateful to Valley Mental Health and the Pingree Center for helping Isaac to grow in so many ways. We know that with their help Isaac will have the best future possible. Thank you Pingree Center for ALL you do!
With Thankful Hearts!!
Brandon and Jenny (Isaac's parents)
May 2008
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