About St. Gerard House
St. Gerard House is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive support, training, meetings, and consultations to families, caregivers, teachers, therapists and others who are integral parts of the life of an individual with autism. The organization was founded in 2001 by Caroline Long and her husband Tom Tveidt after their son Gerard was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.
Since its inception, St. Gerard House has been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families through a range of programs and services. These include early intervention services for children as young as 18 months old; social skills groups for children aged six to 18 years old; parent training workshops; respite care services; vocational training programs for adults with autism; and much more.
One of the key strengths of St. Gerard House is its team of highly trained professionals who are passionate about helping individuals with autism reach their full potential. The organization's staff includes licensed therapists, behavior analysts, special education teachers, job coaches and other experts in the field.
St. Gerard House also places a strong emphasis on community outreach and education. The organization regularly hosts workshops and seminars on topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for parents, educators and healthcare professionals throughout Western North Carolina.
In addition to its core programs and services, St. Gerard House also operates several social enterprises that provide employment opportunities for adults with ASD while generating revenue to support the organization's mission. These include a thrift store called "The Spectrum Shop" which sells gently used clothing items donated by members of the community; a catering business called "Spectrum Catering" which provides delicious meals for events throughout Asheville; and an online store called "Spectrum Inspired" which sells beautiful photography prints taken by parents raising children on the spectrum.
Overall, St. Gerard House is an exceptional resource for anyone impacted by ASD in Western North Carolina or beyond. With its wide array of programs/services offered by highly trained professionals who are passionate about making a difference in people's lives - it truly stands out as one-of-a-kind non-profit organizations dedicated solely towards helping those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).