Mississippi State University is receiving support from the Ridgeland-based Gertrude C. Ford Foundation for autism and developmental disabilities research and treatment services. Specifically, a gift of $125,000 makes possible renovated facilities and expanded services for more clients of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic in MSU’s College of Education.
“Mississippi State University is committed to taking a leadership role in addressing autism and developmental disabilities by changing the lives of children and families, and a partnership with the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation will advance our efforts,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “We are grateful for the foundation’s confidence in our level of expertise in this area and their willingness to help us train the next generation of mental health practitioners who can combat this critical need in our state.”
A portion of the gift is helping the clinic expand from its existing space to a newly renovated location on Blackjack Road, making possible services for more clients with additional treatment space. The ADDC is the flagship clinic of the School Psychology Services Center operated by the school psychology faculty through the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations. The clinic’s mission is to provide high quality services to the community at little or no cost, train future professionals, and engage in research to enhance the field.
Daniel L. Gadke, associate professor of school psychology and interim head of the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations, founded the ADDC after joining the MSU faculty in 2013. He also serves as center director. The ADDC is primarily funded year to year through grants, and it is one of the only comprehensive pediatric psychological service centers in north Mississippi.
The ADDC clinic began with only five clients, but now serves 100 to 150 people weekly, the majority of which are community children. Clients range in age from birth through adult, and includes about 40 MSU degree-seeking students who have autism. The ADDC works with MSU Disability Support Services to offer the Autism Liaisons program.
“Although there are other clinics at college campuses around the country, we operate on a fairly large scale as a training and research facility. We individualize our approach and assist case by case with research-based integrity,” said Gadke. “Intervention for community children and work with vocational students is critical, and our goal is to help each person be as autonomous as possible. And support from the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation will help further our work through expanded services for all.”
With multi-year support, the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation will help the clinic continue to meet the needs of the area.
“The mission of the ADDC aligns with our foundation, and we are pleased to further the important work of the clinic and help extend the reach of services for increasing numbers of deserving clients,” said John Lewis, vice president and treasurer of the board of directors for the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation.
More on the ADDC can be found at addc.msstate.edu and the School Psychology Program at schoolpsych.msstate.edu.
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