“Autism is an alarming figure here in the county,” said Freeholder
Director Lee Ware. “One in 76 people are diagnosed with it, but
everybody’s pulling together.” One in 110 people are diagnosed in the
country per year, one in 94 in the State of New Jersey, according to
statistics.
The completed building will locally serve those with autism by
offering occupational therapy, speech therapy, a nutritionist,
behavioral therapy and more, but all in a larger setting.
The Autism Center was able to move from its old site at 90 North
Broadway to 193 North Broadway when Charles and Diane Melamut donated
the building, which once housed Kurland Pharmacy. Because the center now
has its own building, the center will save $60,000 in annual rent.
The new, 3,500-square-foot building offers the Autism Center 1,000
more square feet of space than its old location. That means the center
can serve more people in its growing client base. The Autism Center
accepts autistic clients aged 3 to 29 years.
While Galey said the building donation has been a blessing, his
non-profit center needs to fill it before it can be used.
One donation Thursday night, said Galey, was extremely generous.
“We’ve only been here for five minutes,” said Galey soon after the
open house began. “And we’ve already had someone sponsor a room and its
entire contents.”
That donation, courtesy of PSEG Island Charities, will fund the LEGO
Therapy Room as well as the supplies and materials needed to complete
therapy.
Funding the LEGO Room and its contents amounted to $2,275.
The LEGO Therapy Room will make the Salem County Autism Center one of
three centers in the country to offer the method. Created by Y.A.L.E.
neuropsychologist Dr. Daniel LeGoff , who will work at SCCA part-time,
it teaches social interaction through teamwork.
While funding the room was crucial for SCCA, PSEG Island Charities as
well.
“I was really delighted to be able to do that,” said PSEG Island
Charities Trustee Tim Hunt Thursday. “The LEGO Room was a special
preference for us. We know a child with disabilities who has a special
place in his heart for LEGOs.”
The door to the LEGO Therapy Room will display a plaque thanking PSEG
Island Charities for making the room possible.
Though the open house was only a one-night event, Galey said
interested room, office and item sponsors can still contribute by
calling the Autism Center at (856) 678-9400.
“The puzzle is this disorder. To find out what it takes to overcome,
we must find the missing pieces,” Galey said. “Tonight is our puzzle.
This building, this project, everybody that donates are all pieces of
our puzzle in Salem County.”
