The Center for Autism Education

CAE Helping Families since 2002

The Center for Autism Education is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2002. We started out with a determination to open an agency that would allow individuals to reach their fullest potential in all areas of life, regardless of ability. When we first opened our doors, in a strip mall in O'Fallon, we were serving 10 students. Now, more than twenty years later, we have multiple locations and we’ve served more than 350 individuals and their families.

The Center for Autism Education has become a staple in the special needs community. We pride ourselves on providing the best possible quality of care to our students and adult consumers with autism and other special needs. What sets us apart from other programs in the community is that we do not discriminate based on behavior. Our certified staff and therapists are trained to deal with intense behaviors including aggression, self-injurious behavior, and property destruction. Our staff members work tirelessly to reduce the occurrence of unwanted behavior and teach replacement behaviors and coping skills so that our consumers can be successful in their school/program environment as well as at home and in the community.

Instructional Day Facility

Our year-round, school-based program is located in St. Peters, Missouri, and contracts with 12 school districts in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area to serve students grades K-12. Each student receives 1:1 or 2:1 support throughout the day as indicated in their individualized education plan (IEP). This program offers expertise from Certified Teachers, Therapists, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts to develop programs specific to learning. Services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy are provided on site as indicated in each student’s plan. Evidence and research-based practices are implemented to create a supportive learning environment which helps maximize the student’s ability to communicate, learn, adapt, and generalize skills to be successful.

Support Services

Our Adult Day Program opened its doors in 2010, after CAE leadership identified a critical need in the community for support services for adults with severe behavior. Many of our students were making incredible progress at school, graduating, and then getting stuck at home because their families couldn’t find appropriate placement to meet the needs of their loved one. At CAE, we offer one on one support as well as group support depending on the needs of each individual. We believe that everyone deserves to have the proper tools and supports to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

Our Support Services department includes Day Services and Behavior Support Services, which are both funded by Medicaid Waiver. Day Services focuses on increasing independence in all areas of daily living. Consumers engage in volunteer opportunities and community outings on a weekly basis.

Our Behavior Support Services use principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to support clients in their home and/or in the community. A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst develops and monitors an individualized behavior support plan for each consumer which aims to decrease problem behaviors and increase appropriate behaviors with the goal of encouraging independence.