Opened in 2012, UNT's Kristin Farmer Autism Center works to change the lives of those on the autism spectrum through comprehensive, collaborative and individualized programming. The center conducts evidence-based research, training, diagnostic testing and evaluation, intervention services, behavioral therapy, and counseling for individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders.

The center was established through a gift by alumna Kristin Farmer ('95 M.Ed.), founder and CEO of ACES (Comprehensive Educational Services Inc.). With more than 3.5 million individuals in the U.S. identified on the autism spectrum, she considers autism an epidemic and is partnering with UNT to increase education and research efforts, working toward a solution.

"It's important for all of us to keep an awareness about autism in our minds and use the science to figure out the cause of the increase, and to reverse that," Farmer says. "It is possible."

UNT is working together on projects like Art + Autism, an ACES-sponsored event last spring that focused on the power of art in the autism community. UNT and ACES will collaborate again this spring to feature Temple Grandin, a well-known member of the autism community and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, April 13 at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas. For tickets and more information, email claudia.taylor@unt.edu.