About Autistic Services
Like many parents, Angela Lagenor did not discover that her child was on the Autism Spectrum until he was two years old. The diagnosis was only the beginning of what followed – the challenge to find proper treatment.  Mrs. Lagenor recognized that while the quality of treatment options were improving, there was a distinct lack of specialized services available to meet the unique needs of individuals with Autism.  So in 1982, Autistic Services, Inc. was born.

As with all fledgling organizations, the first years are the most challenging, as operating funds are the lifeline of every not-for-profit. For many years an annual spaghetti dinner was the agencies hallmark fundraiser. Today, Autistic Services, Inc. has continued to expand in size and in the support and services it provides for parents and their children with Autism. The number of Autism incidents have increased since the inception of ASI. As of 2008, it is estimated that 1 out of every 150th person is somewhere on the Autism Specturm. Based on these 2008 estimates, Buffalo, which has a population of just less than 300,000, would have approximately 2,000 persons affected by Autism. This number will probably increase as the medical and science communities learn more about its origins and conditions. For now, most of what we know about Autism is conveyed in very broad strokes. Much controversy still surrounds the theories about its origin and possible treatments, especially for those parents who choose to believe that their child can be restored to “normal.” For those parents who have come to accept their child as autistic, the difficulty becomes more of an adjustment in their lives to accommodate the needs of their child. This is where Autistic Services enters the picture.

The programs at Autistic Services are not designed to cure Autism, but to help the autistic individual learn to function in an environment that was never tailored for Autism (which is most environments.)  For young children until the age of adulthood, ASI functions as a school with a specialized curriculum and staff who are trained to work with a special needs population. Once graduated from the school programs, the student may continue in the adult programs which involve continued support in self-care, employment and community integration which is the ultimate goal of the organization. Jeff, a 1994 graduate of the ASI program, has been a licesned driver and dedicated employee at Wegmans for many years. For a person with Autism, this is a huge accomplishment. Undoubtedly, this required a tremendous effort from both Jeff and his parents when learning how to adapt to each others schedules and environment.  As all parents know, this adaptation isn’t easy. And it is a process that will inevitably face society at-large as the numbers in Autism continue to grow. Autistic Services helps to facilitate this adaptation by being an advocate for Autism Awareness. The agency organizes several initiatives for bringing greater public exposure to the population. “We are realistic about our goals. We know that indifference or resistance is a common response by people,” says Veronica Federiconi, the Executive Director of ASI. “However, we also know that this is a population that is increasing in number, so the other reality is that we are going to have to make room for them.”   

The arts continue to be the universal language used by ASI as part of their outreach programs, and serve in many ways as a grand finale of everything the students have worked to accomplish. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Autism is the tendency to withdraw from social contact. And yet, the exact opposite happens when the students at ASI step forward into the community either on stage with a play ensemble, a musical performance or a group exhibition.

As the numbers for community participation increase, it becomes evident that the agency must be doing something right. As Carmen and Wanda Deveso, parents of a child with Autism, remarked, “Twenty-eight years ago, obtaining a diagnosis for our ‘mystery boy’ was very elusive. When Sam was in his late teens, he moved into ASI’s Intermediate Care Facility and attended their School Program. Sam now attends the Day Habilitation Program and has progressed enough to move into a lovely IRA (Individual Residential Alternative.) He continues to grow in his independence and is a very happy young man. We believe that the theories, staff ratio and the individual programs designed for Sam have made the difference for our son.”