Autism Services at Great Lakes Center

Established in 2012, the Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research (GLC) provides intensive and outpatient services for children with autism and other neuro-developmental disabilities. GLC collaborates closely with WMU’s Department of Psychology and uses evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis treatments to help children from the age of diagnosis to age 21. Our goal is to help them reach their full potential. Children receiving treatment through the intensive residential treatment program live at GLC in Portage, Michigan and typically stay for 8 to 24 months. During this time, the aim is to reduce challenging behaviors, learn appropriate social behaviors and improve communication skills. Outpatient services, including Applied Behavior Analysis therapy and assessment are provided to children at our Autism Centers. Children attend for 10-40 hours a week and focus on developing skills needed to be successful in school, at home and in the community. The Heersma Outpatient Clinic is also located at our Portage location. In 2015, we opened the Joanne and John Lawrence Autism Center (LAC) in Galesburg, Michigan. LAC is an expansion of our outpatient services, allowing us to continue our mission to provide services to families in need and provide active treatment for youth diagnosed along the autism spectrum.