Gov. Nixon announces disability services investment to include $5 million expansion of Thompson Center

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Jan. 15, 2016) — Gov. Jay Nixon announced today his Fiscal year 2017 budget will include historic investments in developmental disability services for Missourians, including a $5 million expansion of the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri.

“Here in Missouri, we believe that all children – including those with autism – deserve the opportunity to live up to their God-given potential,” Gov. Nixon said. “From passing landmark autism insurance legislation to expanding access to in-home services through the Partnership for Hope, we have made Missouri a nationally-recognized leader in caring for our most vulnerable citizens.  This year we will build on this legacy with historic investments in services for Missourians with developmental disabilities, including a major expansion here at the Thompson Center.”

The expansion, announced before an audience of patients, families, providers and community leaders, will allow the Thompson Center to accommodate an additional 2,000 visits per year by expanding dedicated research and training space, and train 100 more providers over the next five years to alleviate the shortage of autism services in Missouri.

“Our researchers come from many disciplines across the university, from medicine to psychology to genetics to engineering. Bringing all their labs under one roof will make it easier for individuals with autism to participate in our research studies and foster even more innovative collaboration among our faculty,” said Thompson Center Executive Director Dr. Stephen Kanne. “We’ll also be able to expand our clinical services to accommodate more than 2,000 additional clinic visits each year, getting more children the diagnostic and treatment services they need.”

Read the Governor’s full news release here.