CLINTON, Iowa – An education center that focuses on helping children with autism will open a new facility here in a few months that will create about 40 new jobs and help 30 children.
That’s the word from an official with the Lighthouse Autism Center during an announcement Wednesday, March 8, that the new center will move into a former Ashford University office building at 1310 19th Ave. Northwest.
Renovation work on the vacant building – located in the Lyons Business & Technology Park and next to the Bridgeview Community Mental Health Center – is expected to begin soon. The Lighthouse Autism Center will likely open in June or July, said Kim Ray, family outreach coordinator with Lighthouse.
“The need for therapy for children with autism is growing. … And there is a great need in rural areas,” Ms. Ray added after a brief news conference in front of the center’s future site.
Lighthouse will occupy about 40% of the building or about 7,100 square feet. The remainder of the building will be available for another client, said Dennis Lauver, an area Realtor and businessman, attending the Wednesday announcement.
Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion called the Lighthouse announcement an “extremely exciting” event for the city. “Anytime you have a new investment, it’s important. … We will welcome you with open arms,” he said.
Lighthouse, which is based in Mishawaka, Indiana, has about 32 centers across the Midwest. It currently has centers in Davenport at 5354 Elmore Circle, and in East Moline at 1045 12th Ave., according to the company’s website.
Once open, Lighthouse will offer applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism. This therapy is the “gold standard in helping children with autism develop communication skills, social skills, daily living skills and school-readiness skills and more,” according to information from Lighthouse.
Ms. Ray said that once open, the new center will be transformed into “bright, bold colors” for the children.
“Work is play at Lighthouse. At our centers, we offer flexible work spaces and children are not assigned to work at desks. What that means is that children and their therapists move freely through the spaces at the center based on what the child is interested in and is motivated for. For example, a child may want to play at the supermarket, the therapist would use this as an opportunity to count apples, identify colors using food or even practice something like waiting in line at the supermarket,” according to information from Lighthouse.
Lighthouse operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays year-round. Most children are enrolled full-time, 40 hours a week. Although some children may be enrolled part-time or 20 hours a week, according to Lighthouse.
Lighthouse’s new home will be in a building that has been vacant since about 2016 when Ashford closed its Clinton operations. In fact, there is still a sign on the building’s front door stating: “Ashford University has ceased operations at this location.”
Its announcement was scheduled to be held inside the former Ashford University building, however, the door could not be opened because of a locking malfunction. So about 15 people – most from the Clinton business community and city government – listened to welcoming remarks outside the front door.
Ms. Ray told the crowd that she looks forward to seeing more people in the community later this year after Lighthouse opens and hosts an open house.
“We will be ready when the weather is warmer and the doors are open,” Mr. Lauver added.
