John & Linda Kelly

Western Kentucky University received a three-year gift of $150,000 from John and Linda Kelly of Bowling Green for initial funding of the Kelly Autism Project. Long-range goals of the program are to:

• Provide instruction, intervention, and support opportunities to children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
  
• Empower families as well-equipped advocates and give them the tools and strategies needed to extend ameliorative program practices into the home; and
  
• Provide training and other resources to public school administrators and educators who work kwith students with autism spectrum disorders in their schools.
  
• Individualized programs for these young people will strive to increase interactive social skills, community participation, opportunities for recreation and leisure activity, therapeutic vocational skills, and access to meaningful interpersonal relationships, all for the purpose of enhancing their overall quality of life beyond the final years of public school.

"Autism is affecting more and more of our population. As our children grow into adulthood, the challenge is in how to create transition programs that support the needs and desires of the individual, and have value to the community as well. Western Kentucky University is committing the people, resources, and infrastructure to develop the programs that will help these citizens meet their potential"