The term Autism Spectrum Disorders covers a range of disabilities classified under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders or P.D.D. The current term of ASD describes a life long disability, which affects the way the brain regulates what an individual sees, hears and experiences. The individual with ASD often has difficulty with social skills, communication, play and leisure skills, adaptive skills and with processing sensory information.

The incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders appears to be rising dramatically across the country. Just 10 years ago, Autism affected one in 10,000 individuals. Yet, the latest research shows a rate of one in 150. The number of individuals with Autism is greater than the number of individuals with Down Syndrome, childhood cancer and childhood diabetes combined. In 1994 there were 41 students eligible for special education with autism. In June 2008, there were 1,496 students.

Each student with ASD presents a unique set of needs that challenges the educational/health and social services systems to respond to those needs with individual service/treatment plans. The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), Office of Special Populations and the Rhode Island Technical Assistance Project (RITAP) recognize the need to invest in educational initiatives with regard to effective treatment and education.

The ASD Support Center offers professionals, parents and individuals with ASD the information and resources necessary to increase their capacity to access, obtain and/or provide comprehensive and coordinated services that result in improved educational performance and enhance life-long outcomes.