Norwood, Mass.—April 2005 marks May Institute’s 50th anniversary as a national leader in education, rehabilitation, and behavioral healthcare services for children and adults with autism, brain injury, mental retardation, and other special needs.

Dr. and Mrs. Jacques May founded the Institute in 1955 to provide a supportive environment and progressive treatment for their twin sons with autism. Today, May Institute is among the largest, most respected, and innovative nonprofit organizations in the country, with nearly 200 service locations in 18 states, benefiting more than 25,000 individuals and families each year.

“It is fitting that May Institute’s anniversary occurs during National Autism Awareness Month,”says President and CEO Walter P. Christian, Ph.D., ABPP, who has led May Institute for more than 25 years. “As we celebrate a half century of providing award-winning programs that have helped make progress possible for individuals with autism and other special needs, I’m particularly proud of our many May professionals whose expertise in the field is unparalleled.”

May Institute’s first school, located in Chatham, Massachusetts, was honored in 1988 as one of the nation’s “Schools of Excellence,” and its five additional schools for children with special needs have been modeled after this award-winning school. In addition, May has been featured in the book In Search of America’s Best Nonprofits (Jossey-Bass, 1997), and more than 25 of its programs and schools have been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

In commending May Institute for its quality of services, CARF stated, “The commitment, dedication, enthusiasm, and skill of the staff members are found throughout the organization, and they (staff) are genuine and caring in carrying out their responsibilities.”

With locations throughout New England and the Southeast, May Institute provides early intervention, home-based, and school consultation services for hundreds of children daily. May offers day programs, vocational training, and community living for adults with disabilities. In addition, May has multi-service counseling centers and operates five clubhouses for individuals with mental health challenges. May’s Positive Schools^sm program has reduced discipline problems in public schools throughout the country.

An active center of research and training, May Institute maintains affiliations with 44 universities, hospitals, and human service agencies. Since 1978, May professionals have published 273 books and articles, and have made more than 1500 presentations at national and regional conferences.

Highlights of May Institute’s first 50 years include:

• 1955: Opens first school for children with autism in Chatham, Massachusetts.
• 1983: Partners with Children’s Hospital (Boston) in pioneering home-based early intervention services for children with autism and their families.
• 1987: Opens homes for adults with disabilities – an alternative to institutional care.
• 1988: Chatham school named one of the nation’s “Schools of Excellence” by the U.S. Department of Education.
• 1992: Pioneers one of the nation’s first schools exclusively for children and adolescents with brain injury.
• 1994: Collaborates with McLean Hospital to provide mental health services.
• 1995: Offers early intervention and school consultation services in western Massachusetts.
• 1996: Opens first adult residences in Connecticut.
  Merges with Hyland House to provide mental health services in southeastern Massachusetts.
• 1997: Featured in the book In Search of America’s Best Nonprofits (Jossey- Bass).
• 1998: Internship program accredited by the American Psychological Association.
  Becomes statewide specialty provider for intensive early intervention services.
  Incorporation of May South in Georgia, a subsidiary of May Institute.
• 1999: Provides mental health services to probationers and parolees in Georgia.
• 2000: Implements first Positive Schools program in Wichita, Kansas.
• 2003: Creates May Institute’s Graduate Scholars program.
  Opens new school in West Springfield, Massachusetts, for children with special needs.
• 2004: Selected as the Northeast regional partner to the National Technical Assistance Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a center funded by the U.S. Department of Education.