The Golisano Autism Center is expanding and enhancing autism services to serve the more than 10,000 people diagnosed with autism in the Greater Rochester and surrounding areas.

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The Center is named for philanthropist and Paychex and Golisano Foundation Chairman, Tom Golisano, who provided the lead gift of $3 million to help build the Center.

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The Golisano Autism Center Rochester is located at 50 Science Parkway and includes shared program spaces, a sensory gym, classrooms, therapy rooms, and more! The building was finished in September of 2019, on time for the beginning of the school year.

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Golisano said, “I am pleased to provide a challenge grant of $2.5 million to help build this unique collaborative center, which will bring together a wide array of coordinated services and expertise under one roof. The Center will represent a significant improvement in how people with autism and their families can get the services they need over the course of their lifetimes. I hope that my gift will inspire others to join me and contribute in a meaningful way to this important endeavor.”

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New Center Transforming Autism Services

The establishment of the Golisano Autism Center Rochester transforms the delivery of autism services by co-locating and coordinating resources offered by multiple autism providers, each of which, has specialized areas of expertise. This comprehensive, enriched, and innovative model emphasizes collaboration amongst complimentary autism-specific programs in the community. The proximity of the Center to related medical services ensures ease of access for thousands of families seeking autism services.

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The Golisano Autism Center Rochester provides a continuum of services that span a lifetime and offer a full array of coordinated program options for infants, toddlers, youth, teens, and adults including behavioral and primary care supports; respite; community habilitation; social, recreational, and therapeutic services; a housing and employment liaison. The new center will offer high-quality, evidence-based, school-age instruction, developed specifically for individuals with autism. Founding partners Al Sigl, AutismUp, CP Rochester, and the Golisano Foundation coordinated the addition of other affiliate autism service agencies housed at the center.