Fond du Lac’s Agnesian HealthCare says its expanding its autism services. At a press conference Tuesday afternoon Agnesian announced plans for a first of its kind Savant Institute in Fond du lac. Plans call for the Treffert Center to open this spring at 371 E. 1st Street in Fond du lac. The Center is named after Fond du Lac psychiatrist Dr. Darold Treffert, a world-renowned autism and savant syndrome expert. “For me it means being able to continue my work in a convenient fashion. For the community it means meeting more savants and autistic indivuals for treatment,” Treffert told WFDL news. “The brain is the last frontier that we’re trying to understand and examine and I think we can contribute to that in a way that I think is significant and it can happen right here.” The Treffert Center will feature the Treffert Library, Treffert Academy and Agnesian Autism, Behavior and Communication Center. The Treffert Library makes available an international treasure of books, videos, documentaries, journals, art works and periodicals on autism, savant syndrome (developmental and acquired), hyperlexia (early reading) and other types of exceptional brain performance, promoting and carrying out further research on these conditions along with dissemination of reliable information about these conditions for parents, professionals, students, media and the general public. The Treffert Academy provides a preschool and after-school experience designed to provide a foundation for a strong mind, body and spirit based on early education focused on play, movement, self-regulation and social understanding. It gives children ages three to 12 the opportunity to gain the skills and experience to reach their full potential and enter school ready to learn. The Treffert Academy is designed to benefit all children whether they have an identified need or not. The Agnesian Autism, Behavior and Communication Center (AABCC) provides state-of the-art comprehensive, multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment for a variety of behavior and communication disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. Center-based services include access to a physician, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist and psychotherapist. Working together this team of professionals identifies strengths and generates solutions for individuals that are struggling with single or multiple challenges.
