By Emily Rau of KOMU TV-8
The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurological Disorders locked in $5 million from the state budget on Thursday. Workers at the Thompson Center are working in cramped quarters less than four years after the facility opened its doors.
In one room, 25 different doctors, nurses and students share the same small space. The room is notorious around the Thompson Center, it even has a nickname, “the swamp.” Doctors and faculty members say its harder to work when it’s crowded.
“It does make it difficult to hear each other and trying to teach and/or discuss patients or parent care,” said Dr. Kristin Sohl.
But with Gov. Jay Nixon’s help, the swamp may dry up. At a news conference Nixon announced his release of money from the budget to go toward an expansion of the current facilities.
“I am proud to say as soon as I get back to my office I’m going to sign the bill to release $5 million for the expansion of the Thompson Center for Autism,” Nixon said.
The expansion will create more classrooms, research areas, exam rooms and a bigger waiting room. Doctors use the facilities to diagnose autism, then develop treatment plans for parents after they leave the center.
The center still has to find land and design a new structure before moving out of the current facility, which was converted from a nursing home. The changes can’t come soon enough for Thompson Center staff.
“We’ve gotten more grants, more people to teach and many more children to evaluate and treat, but we’re out of space to do that,” said Jim Poehling, the center’s executive director.
Autism affects more than 30,000 people in Missouri.
