New York-Presbyterian Hospital erecting specialized autism center to service NYC

New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Westchester campus broke ground yesterday on the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, a new state-of-the-art facility for people dealing with autism spectrum disorders in the area and New York City, according to a statement from the hospital today.

The 11,000-square-foot medical center, in White Plains, was designed by daSilva Architects and will open in early 2013. A spokesperson for the hospital said the cost of erecting the complex is $6.1 million.

The restoration project, by DHI Construction Services, was was financed by Marilyn and James Simons and the non-profit Autism Speaks, the statement said.

“For families, receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis for their loved one can be overwhelming and often they don’t know where to turn for help,” said Steven Corwin, CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

The center has ambitious plans to help the between 1 million and 1.5 million Americans who are affected by autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Our hope is to create state-of-the art services for individuals across their lifespan that will become a model for the nation,” said Laura Slatkin, who co-founded the New York Center for Autism with Ilene Lainer. — Guelda Voien