SAN ANTONIO — Recent CDC data shows one in 45 adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism. For kids, it's even higher: one in 36 have autism.
The challenge with these stats tie to the likelihood for adults with special needs gaining employment. The nonprofit Eagles Flight Advocacy Center is working to close this gap in our area.
The Nest is short for nurture, empower, share and transform. It can serve 40 adults with special needs.
The Nest first creates a flight plan to learn each person's interests and what they would like to have. The adults then develop skills through sensory activities.
They also get to volunteer and gain vocational skills and on-the-job training through community partnerships.
Its program director, Christina Leach, says it took six months to create it. She said the program can help adults with special needs who lacked early intervention in school.
"There are about 43 centers within San Antonio right now, and most of them have a waitlist," said Leach. "So it was very important for me, especially to give these adults an opportunity as they're exiting the school system."
The Nest has a game room, music room, computer lab, sensory room and community area where the students can develop their skills. To offer different experiences, Eagle's Flight also partners with food pantries, community closets and animal organizations among other groups.
The Nest has a staff of five and can serve up to 40 students. It's located off of Blanco Road in the Courtyard Business Center.
For more information, visit their website.
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