
News

2025 Legislative Session Wrap-Up: A Big Win for Nevada’s Autism Community!
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.

What It Means to Be a Community Partner: Creating Impact, Together
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.

Introducing Craft n Chat: A New Program from the Ackerman Center
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.

The Weight We Carry: Mental Health and the Caregiver Experience
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.

Mental Health Matters: Supporting Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions
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.

Every Voice Matters: Supporting Communication in Children with Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
May is National Speech, Language and Hearing Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of communication and the vital role speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play in helping people find their voice.

Now Accepting Clients & Partners in Our Vocational Program for Young Adults with Autism
At the Ackerman Center, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential—regardless of ability or diagnosis. For teens and young adults living with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, that path often begins with meaningful employment, skill-building, and support from a community that believes in their future.

Autism Research and Realities: A Perspective from the Ackerman Center
There has been a lot in the news recently about autism spectrum disorder, its possible causes and the developmental potential of individuals with autism.

Las Vegas Valley Summer Resources: Camps, Classes, Events, and More
Summer is just around the corner, and families across the Las Vegas Valley are looking for ways to keep kids active, engaged, and learning.

CDC Reports Autism Now Affects 1 in 31 U.S. Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) now affects 1 in 31 children aged 8 in the United States, marking the highest prevalence recorded to date.