About Us
The mission of Grant A Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center is to provide comprehensive clinical services, resources, education, research, and advocacy for individuals and families living with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Imagine a future where people with autism, ADHD, fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, have the support they need to thrive.
Grant A Gift was founded in 2009 by a mother struggling to find resources for her autistic son in Southern Nevada. As we grew, it became clear that a significant gap existed in our state, for families with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities – from recognizing the signs, seeking diagnosis, securing appropriate treatment for their children, resources, support, and community for the entire family.
Grant a Gift Autism Foundation was founded to provide a place where children with autism could find social opportunities and job training, and where their parents could find community resources and support.
Thousands of young people and their families accessed services at the Ackerman Center, and a wait list of 3,200 families accumulated.
Grant a Gift established a partnership with the UNLV School of Medicine to provide comprehensive care for children of all ages with autism.
The partnership was recognized regionally through the Nevada Medical Center Eric M. Hilton Healthcare Collaboration Prize.
Grant a Gift and the UNLV School of Medicine jointly opened the UNLV Medicine Ackerman Autism Center (the Ackerman Center), combining cutting-edge care, vocational training, social support
Grant a Gift Autism Foundation and the UNLV Medicine Ackerman Center combine organizations to provide unprecedented access and resources to families affected by autism. Read the announcement here.
Grant a Gift granted $8.5 million through the American Recovery Act. MGM Resorts International commits $1 million dollars of support over the next five years.
