SHERWOOD CENTER FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CHILD
8030 Ward Parkway Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64114 www.sherwoodcenter.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: Sherwood Autism Center's mission is to empower children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities to maximize their potential in family and community life. While autism remains an important area of expertise and focus, the agency serves children and adults of all ages with a wide range of needs and disabilities.

Sherwood Autism Center's mission is to empower children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities to maximize their potential in family and community life.

Sherwood was the first organization in Kansas City to provide special education services for children with autism. It was founded in 1974 in a church basement with six children who had nowhere to go for services. At that time autism was rare; nationwide only 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed. Today the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 59 children will be diagnosed with autism. In FY 18-19 Sherwood served a total of 89 students. Of those, 76% are low income as measured by qualifying for free and reduced lunch benefits; 72% are minority and 28% are Caucasian; 61% reside in the Kansas City portion of Jackson County with the reminder in Eastern Jackson County, Cass County, Clay County and Wyandotte County, Kansas. For those who qualify, services are funded by the students' public school district. Private pay is also available at the same rate. Sherwood Special Education Program is a comprehensive school program that operates 220 days a year, including an eight-week extended school year during the summer. Students, ages 5-21, are referred to our program through their public school districts when a specialized school environment is recommended for the success of the student. Many of the students referred to Sherwood have extreme behavioral challenges; for some this is their last option before a residential facility or hospital. Sherwood addresses their behavior, helps improve their social and communication skills, increases their ability to accomplish activities of daily living/basic hygiene, and works toward their long term goal of transitioning back to the public school system.

Sherwood was the first organization in Kansas City to provide day services for adults with autism. The adult services program is funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. In FY 18-19 Sherwood served 52 low-income adults, all from Jackson County. For individuals who qualify, services are funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Private pay is also available at the same rate. Sherwood's Adult Services operates Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 3:00pm, 260 days a year. Services are provided both on and off-site in a small staff to participant ratio (1:1 to 1:6). Each participant served has an Individual Support Plan (ISP) that determines the services that are to be provided to help them meet their individual goals. Participants can stay as long as the program remains appropriate. Some of our adult participants have been with us for over 40 years. Sherwood's Adult Services Program has two components: Supported Employment Services and Day Services. Supported Employment Services provides job seekers living with autism and/or developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop their own unique skills and talents with the goal of finding competitive employment. Day Services helps adults with autism and/or developmental disabilities develop independence and improve the quality of their lives.

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