Published: October 17, 2009 11:03 pm      

New school at Finan to work with autistic children

CUMBERLAND — A new educational center for children with autism is expected to draw clients from the tri-state area when it opens next month on the campus of the Jefferson School at the Finan Center.

Sheppard Pratt Health System plans a mid-November opening for the center, which will provide services for up to 30 children, said Bonnie Fetzer, principal of Jefferson School, which is operated by Sheppard Pratt.

“Our community is not unlike other communities across the state and nation,” said Fetzer, referring to a recent study indicating that autism is on the rise.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that one in 100 8-year-old children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with autism. Previously, the government’s estimate was 1 in 150.

“There’s greater awareness of it, and children are being diagnosed at an earlier age,” Fetzer said. “The real concern is that there’s definitely an increase, and we need to respond to that.”

Last year in Allegany County, 51 children enrolled in the public school system had been diagnosed with autism, according to figures provided by the Maryland State Department of Education. Statewide, more than 7,500 school children were autistic, 2008 figures showed.

School officials in Allegany County hired a specialist several years ago to help cope with the growing problem. Corrie Humbertson travels from school to school to help teachers help students with autism, which is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to his or her surroundings and form relationships with others.

Since Humbertson was hired in 2005, the autistic population in Allegany County schools has doubled, statistics show.

“We use her as a resource,” said Sheree Witt, director of special education and student services for Allegany County public schools. “But some students may need a program that has more intensive services like those offered through Sheppard Pratt.”

A nonprofit behavioral health system, Sheppard Pratt operates almost a dozen schools in Maryland for children with behavioral and emotional problems. In recent years, it has opened centers especially designed for autistic students in Hunt Valley, Gaithersburg and Westminster.

Witt said she’s heard good things about the programs.

“I’ve talked to special ed directors who have children in their programs, and they’ve been very satisfied, very pleased, with the services the students are receiving,” Witt said.

Sheppard Pratt is remodeling a cottage near the Jefferson School for the new autism center, which will include a therapeutic playground and an indoor sensory integration area with swings, small trampolines, and weighted vests and blankets, Fetzer said. Clients will be referred through school systems and other agencies.

“We plan to have a teacher and two teaching assistants in each of the classrooms,” Fetzer said, adding that there are five classrooms, but the program will start using two or three of them.

“We’ve been ordering our supplies and our equipment. We’re busily getting it ready to go.”

Contact Kristin Harty Barkley at kharty@times-news.com.