New Mexico opens its first residential treatment center for autism

From KOAT-TV:

New Mexico has its first residential treatment center for kids with autism and other developmental delays and their families.

A ribbon cutting marked the official opening of the center Wednesday in Albuquerque.

Camelot of New Mexico offers education for kids with autism other learning disabilities.

It's the first treatment facility and school in one location in New Mexico.

Yvonne Gurley, the director Camelot of New Mexico, said, "We have needed a treatment center and school for children on the Autism spectrum for years and years and years."

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez said he first learned of the need for such a facility two years ago at a town hall meeting after families told him about a lack of services for them in the Land of Enchantment.

"A mom or a dad can't just say call the kid down the street and say, 'Come watch Junior, we're going to go get a pizza.' It doesn't work like that it impacts whole families and whole communities," Chavez said.

The facility has beds for 39 kids between the ages of 5 and 17.

Officials said it's designed to provide a safe environment as well as give children real-world experiences.

"We take them into the community and teach them living skills, how to interact in the community as well as their academic skills and their behavioral and psychological needs," said Gurley.

Teachers from Albuquerque Public Schools come to the facility to teach the kids on site.

The facility caters to kids with autism, Asperger's, autism spectrum disorder and children with other developmental delays.