The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders


On December 13, 2012, a major funding commitment from public and private partners was unveiled that could alter the landscape for autism care, research, and advocacy in Southern California with the announcement of
The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
,  a collaboration made up of five founding partners, including
Chapman University College of Educational Studies
,
Children & Families Commission of Orange County
,
CHOC Children’s
,
UC Irvine Health School of Medicine
, and the
William & Nancy Thompson Family Foundation
.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the expansion and relocation of The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders from Orange, CA to 2500 Red Hill Avenue in Santa Ana, CA. as of October 24th, 2013 in a newly designed and renovated 21,000 square feet building.

The Center has spent the past 12 years providing care for children and families challenged by autism, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental disorders. It continues to offer expert medical evaluation and diagnosis, but with the new partnership, The Center has created a multidisciplinary team to provide a variety of interventions, educational opportunities, and community engagement initiatives with the goal of bringing help and hope to the families and children in our community.

Woman smiling.


Amy-Jane Griffiths Ph.D, NCSP

Director of Families and Schools Together (F.A.S.T.)



New services will include behavioral intervention, psychology services including assessment and counseling, psychiatry, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutrition, and other wellness programs. Simply stated, The Center’s mission is to be a nationally recognized treatment and research center that leads an innovative, integrated approach to the care of children, adolescents, and young adults from birth to age 22, diagnosed with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Woman smiling.


Jeanne Anne Carriere, Ph.D.

Director of the Chapman Ability Project (C.A.P.)



Chapman University College of Educational Studies is spearheading two educational initiatives. 
FAST (Families and Schools Together)
offers support to families as they navigate the school system, with the ultimate goal of increasing collaborative communication and building stronger relationships between the family, the school system, and other service providers. We’re hopeful that this new alliance will enable us to make a major positive impact on the place where children receive most of their intervention—the local school system. 
CAP (Chapman Ability Project)
has the mission of advancing the expertise of educators, service providers, community members and parents by providing quality training, certificate programs and educational opportunities designed to enhance the knowledge and skills and strengthen the practice of those serving our youth in the schools and in clinical settings.

It is an exciting time of growth for all of us associated with The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Chapman University is incredibly excited to help negotiate the uncertain terrain of caring for and educating  children through young adults with autism, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental needs.  Together we can find the solution through clinical care, research, education and community engagement.