Autism Journeys taking place at Lehi treatment center

LEHI — After a year of providing hope and services to families and individuals with autism spectrum disorder, Lehi-based Autism Journeys now has a place to call home.

The company's warm-feeling, brightly colored Lehi center appears to be more like a really fun place for young kids to play than a place for treating a serious developmental disorder.

Peering through one-way observation windows into rooms with toys and games helps tell the story of a company started in 2007 to help those with autism spectrum disorder and their families with a unique and comprehensive approach to treatment.

Prior to starting the company, president and founder Kate Andersen had worked extensively in the autism community before stepping away from teaching. The demand for Andersen's expertise, however, was too great for the former director of the Autism Society of Utah to stay away for long.

"I had a lot of families and a lot of schools wanting me to set up programs for them or help them with students," Andersen said. From that, she began consulting for schools and families, but a waiting list for her services kept growing.

"It became really apparent that we had a lot of families really seeking that individualized, multifaceted treatment."

Autism Journeys specializes in taking an individualized approach at treating anyone — child, adolescent or adult — with ASD, though a wide range of methods, rather than focusing on just one or even two methods.

For Sabrina and Robert Gardner's family, Andersen's approach has done wonders for 4-year-old Sydney.

The Gardners knew something wasn't quite right with their daughter when she was around 2 years old, as she wouldn't even acknowledge her new baby brother. The diagnosis from the doctor was devastating.

"It changes your life overnight," Sabrina Gardner said. "I remember sitting in the doctor's office and I remember them telling me this is autism and I just remember the world stopping."

Six weeks after the diagnosis, Gardner said, the hospital mailed her a worksheet with some advice on how to help Sydney — and that was it.

Knowing the Gardners were about to move to Utah, Sabrina Gardner's father, 2002 Salt Lake Olympics COO Fraser Bullock, said he went to work trying to find the best therapist in the state. The fingers pointed to Andersen.