Welcome Message: from our Director Gloria Berman

The Best Horizons Foundation was established in 2004 with the goal of helping the families of young people who had been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD and other developmental challenges. Just a few short years ago, it was relatively common to misdiagnose Autistic children as having attention deficit conditions. Through a simple lack of awareness, doctors oftentimes prescribed powerful psychotropic drugs that could produce unintended side effects.

My grandson was one of the misdiagnosed. Finally his mom (and my daughter), Christina Ouillette decided to break a medication cycle that wasn't even effective.

She established the Pima Academy in Tucson, Arizona for children with different learning needs. Utilizing her experience and a natural gift for working with young people, the remarkable progress she made with her pupils was nothing short of astounding. Best Horizons documented her work in Between the Cracks.

Today my 18 year-old grandson is the poster boy for living successfully with Autism. He attends college, works part-time, lives independently in a townhouse with his dogs, and serves on the Board of Directors of his homeowners' association. He is a model for everything possible with the right support and resources.

Best Horizons' community-based program was developed with the idea that it may take a village to raise a child with Asperger's or Autism but autonomy is not an impossible dream.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that one in every 54 boys, and one in every 88 children total, is born Autistic. Many of them are very intelligent and can be high functioning if given the right opportunities. However most support programs end when the youth turns 18. The statistics for young adults with Autism and Asperger's are bleak. Most remain dependent on their parents, some turn to drugs and others wind up in jail.

These young people are a precious resource that should have the opportunity to flourish, rather than grow into a frustrated burden to families and society. The comprehensive services at Best Horizons' run the gamut from providing a safe, low-pressure venue for social interaction to music therapy, financial planning workshops, vocational training and for those who are ready, job placement assistance. It is our firm belief that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual has different needs but all can achieve success.

I invite you to review the resources and information on this website. If you have a story, we'd love to hear it. If we can help your family, we'd love to try. Please get in touch.

We are resource for those teens and young adults requiring special attention. Whether simply needing extra help, or diagnosed with autism, AD/HD or other related conditions, we can provide the tools needed to help them succeed as adults.

Our center is a safe haven located steps from the the Hobe Sound Library in a private, tranquil setting designed to foster feelings of calm and security and provide a superior learning environment.We are geared toward providing a safe,relaxed and supervised environment for teens and young adults needing help to function independently.

Whether attending a session on how to apply or keep a job, or sitting in on a workshop geared toward their particular interests we aim to provide ample opportunities for individuals to find their niche in life.

Extensive community involvement is a key component to offering exposure to a wide range of career choices and job placement opportunities. We rely our community to pitch and help our young men and women succeed.
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Shining Futures is a program of Best Horizons Foundation, Inc., a501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Please click here to make a donation or learn more about how you can help Best Horizons Foundation.