COLUMBIA, Missouri (KFVS) – Thousands of Missouri families face the challenges of autism every day, and now Missouri’s largest hospital system is expanding its resources to treat autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
MU Health’s new Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment is scheduled to open in early 2026. The final beam was placed on the building on Friday, marking construction progress on the new facility in Columbia, Missouri.
Over the past decade, the Thompson Center has served 109 counties in Missouri and nine other states. With this new center, they hope to serve even more families. The expansion will double the size of the center.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as 1 in 36 children in Missouri show signs of autism. Children like Angela Keller’s three-year-old daughter, Renesemee. Keller knew before her daughter was born that she would have several disabilities, but Renesemee is getting the care she needs at the Thompson Center.
“When you’re a new parent of a child with special needs, you often don’t know where to go,” Keller said. “The Thompson Center is a good place to start.”
Since 2000, the number of autism diagnoses has increased by 60%. Connie Brooks, executive director of the Thompson Center, attributes this increase to advances in identifying autism and the growing acceptance of neurodiversity.
“Parents and doctors are aware of this at an earlier age and are taking their children to the doctors to get it checked out,” Brooks said.
Through the center, families receive comprehensive care and can see all the doctors their child or family member needs in one place.
“Autism affects each person in a unique way because it is a broad spectrum,” Brooks said.
Most importantly, Keller and Brooks hope the center will reduce wait times and enable more families to find the care they need.
“I was able to find these resources early and knew what to ask for before I left the hospital,” Keller said. “Some parents weren’t so lucky.”
Anyone seeking help for autism or other developmental disabilities can find resources on the Missouri Department of Mental Health website.
All rights reserved.
