What was once a school nestled in trees will soon be a brand-new autism hub. The Hope Network Center for Autism in Livonia is moving into the former location of Ladywood High School this summer.
Hope Network, based in Grand Rapids and one of Michigan’s largest nonprofit organizations, is expanding with its fifth autism center. It will offer applied behavioral analysis, speech and occupational therapy, diagnostics and more for diagnosed children 18 months to 21 years old.
Transportation will be available within a five-mile radius of the city or discussed case-by-case, executive director Michelle O’Connor says.
Nearby Madonna University will house the center before it opens; construction is slated to start in June 2020 (note that COVID-19 precautions might affect this schedule; stay tune for the latest).
Hope Network’s mission
O’Connor says a key focus is to provide treatment and intervention at naturalistic settings like at a high school, so patients can practice program skills they learn.
“One of our goals is to meet needs our families have,” O’Connor says.
Youth will also enjoy the former school’s expansive outdoor space, including a football field, courtyard and garden beds.
“A lot of times treatment and interventions look like play,” she says. “We use outdoor space on a daily basis, weather permitting. We will also have scheduled access to one of the gyms.”
Find out more
Hope Network’s new Wayne County center will be located at14680 Newburgh Road in Livonia. As of April 2020, opening date has not yet been set. Hours will be announced once the location is open. To find out more, contact Hope Network’s main switchboard at 616-301-8000 or visit its website at hopenetwork.org.
