A Neosho industry has given a substantial amount of money to a local autism center.

La-Z-Boy Midwest presented a $10,000 check to the Ozark Center for Autism on Tuesday.

“It is a wonderful message that they are investing in families of their communities and investing in this program to help children,” said Paula Baker, Ozark Center CEO. “We are thrilled to receive this check and grateful to La-Z-Boy for their continued support of Ozark Center for Autism and our children.”

The center is located at 2411 S. Jackson Ave., Joplin.

“I guess that we recognize the need (for the center). Personally, I have an autistic son and I wish that it would have been here for him,” said Duane Bullard, human resource team leader for La-Z-Boy Midwest. “He was diagnosed at the age of 4. Today, there is a lot more awareness. That is why facilities like this are such good things because the children are going to need that interaction.”

Baker said the money would go into the general operation of the program.

“We currently have children from Neosho in our program,” Baker said. “And so it will be part of the ongoing operation of the center. La-Z-Boy has been a partner with us since we began talking about this program. They are very interested in families and in helping the families, so that they jumped on this and have been extremely supportive of the program. These sorts of donations are essential to our operation. We have some state funding. We raise money any way that we can to get as many children as possible into our program.”

This is not the first time that La-Z-Boy Midwest has helped the center. They previously donated an additional $10,000 to the center.

“It is a very wonderful feeling to know that companies like La-Z-Boy really have a general concern for families and their children,” Baker said.

After the check presentation, Bullard and Renzo Bulgarelli, vice president of La-Z-Boy Midwest, were given a tour of the center. At one point, Bullard was asked, as a father, what does the center mean to him having it here available in Southwest Missouri.

“It would have been a huge relief; we really did not know what to do,” said Bullard. “We got all of the books, tried to learn on our own. But there was not really much for him. If we would have had this facility here, it would have been a huge load off of our backs.
The first thing that it tells me is that I am in the right community. You know, if you are going to raise a family in a community that has resources available to assist your children, you probably think that you are in the right place. I sure feel that way about Southwest Missouri area, in fact that is why I retired and came back here.”

Currently, there are 13 children at the center. Baker said the center could take them as young as they get a diagnosis all the way up to school age, roughly the age of 6. However, there are more on the waiting list – 40 to be precise.

“And it is growing,” Baker noted.

Bullard would also like to see the center grow.

“Well, Paula tells me that there are 40 children on a waiting list,” he said. “I would like to see every child that needs assistance get it and I think that that is their goal.”

At the center, the children work on communication, speaking, socialization and appropriate behaviors. The center is open all year round and the students go there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. five days a week.

“The research shows that if we have a child in the preschool environment, like this, with ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) for two years, that they will make strides that will last throughout their lifetime,” said Baker.

And the children really enjoy the center and what it does for them.

“I love to play with all of the kids. I have a lot of friends here,” said Savannah, a 5-year-old child that attends the center. “My favorite game is ‘Sorry,’ because I love to play with it.”

At the center, Savannah also enjoys learning.

“I love to learn, ABCs, 123s and shapes and colors,” Savannah said with a smile.

About autism

Autism is the fastest growing childhood developmental disability and affects a child’s ability to communicate with loved ones and interact with the world.

Developed in consultation with the Cleveland Clinic Autism Consulting Group, Ozark Center for Autism provides the only evidence-based treatment proven to be effective — Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In this intensive one-on-one therapy, teachers prepare preschoolers to function as independently as possible. Family members participate and learn to reinforce ABA training in the home environment.

Thirteen children are currently enrolled at Ozark Center for Autism for year-round schooling. Ozark Center for Autism has plans to expand services, reaching out to older children and adults.

Neosho Daily News