The back-to-school season can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time for all children, but it can pose unique challenges for those on the autism spectrum or with neurodiverse challenges. As a parent or caregiver, you want to ensure that your child has a positive and successful experience when returning to school.

BUDS stands for Building Up and Developing Social Skills, and that’s exactly what it’s designed to do. It’s a group ABA program for children and teens with autism or other neurodevelopmental disabilities, focused on helping participants grow their confidence, communication, and connection with others.

As the back-to-school season approaches, families of children with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) have more than just school supplies to think about. Making sure your child’s IEP is ready for the year ahead can ease anxiety and ensure everyone starts on the same page.

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, the Blue Man Group once again lit up the stage at Luxor Hotel and Casino—but this year marked a milestone: the 10th annual Sensory-Friendly Performance in partnership with Grant a Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center.

The 83rd Nevada Legislative Session came to a close just before midnight on June 2 — and what a session it was! From long days at the Capitol to passionate testimony and powerful storytelling, this session brought real, meaningful progress for individuals and families impacted by autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Read more to see what passed — and what it means for our community.

At The Ackerman Center, being a community partner is more than just making a donation—it’s about building a relationship rooted in shared values, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

As Nevada’s leading nonprofit clinic supporting individuals with autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, we know that lasting impact takes more than a single act of generosity. It takes a village. It takes consistency. It takes you.

At the Ackerman Center, we recognized that many women living with autism spectrum disorder, especially those who are newly exploring their identity, often struggle to find spaces where they feel understood, supported, and accepted. Many have spent years masking, second-guessing their needs, or feeling like they didn’t quite fit in.

That’s why we created Craft n Chat: a welcoming and creative space for women living with autism, or those who are exploring whether they might be, to find connection, community, and self-expression without pressure. Whether you’ve had a formal diagnosis, identify as self-diagnosed, or are just beginning to ask questions about yourself, you belong here.

Caring for a child with neurodevelopmental differences is a journey filled with love, advocacy, and connection. But it also brings exhaustion, grief, and isolation. For many caregivers, this emotional labor becomes a silent, unseen burden—rarely acknowledged but deeply felt.

Living with a neurodevelopmental condition—such as autism, ADHD, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder—comes with unique strengths, perspectives, and challenges. But too often, the mental health needs of these individuals are overlooked, misunderstood, or overshadowed by a focus on diagnoses and behaviors.

At The Ackerman Center, we believe that supporting mental health is just as important as addressing developmental needs. Every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported—not just for who they are, but for how they feel.