Thirty-five years ago, not much was known about autism and related developmental disabilities. There were no schools that specialized in educating children with autism in Kansas City. If your child had the disability, you had few options other than institutionalization or home care.

That's the challenge three University of Missouri-Kansas City psychology students faced in 1974 when a 14-year old boy they were working with in an Olathe psychiatric hospital was ready to move back home. So, with the idealism of college students, Debbie Wood, Steve Woodward and Dina Fisher, started their own school. Sherwood Center, a combination of their last names, opened in a rented room in a church basement. That year they had six students.

Today, Sherwood Center's mission is to empower children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities to maximize their potential in family and community life. While autism remains an important area of expertise and focus, the agency serves children and adults of all ages with a wide range of needs and disabilities.