ROBERTSDALE — Two years ago, a group of parents joined in an effort to bring resources for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders to Baldwin County.

What started as a grass roots effort has grown to a county-wide organization that offers numerous support groups, conferences, workshops and other special events.

The Center for Autism and Asperger Resources will celebrate the grand opening of its new office Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. at the CF Taylor Administrative Center in Robertsdale, located in the old Robertsdale Elementary School building.

"We are going to be kicking off a fundraiser for a summer program at that time," Founder Mary Thweatt said. "The money will go towards expanding a program already planned by Special Services Department for the extended year services."

Thweatt said the center hopes the fundraiser will allow more children to attend the program or supply extra materials for the program. She said finding reliable, safe and appropriate summer care for autistic children is not an easy task.

According to the Center for Disease Control's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, in 2007 1 in 150 8-year-old children nationwide had an autism spectrum disorder.

CAAR serves as a center for information and support through a lending library, county-wide support groups and referrals.

"Additional services include educational workshops, seminars, training for families, day-care employees, school professionals, medical personnel, judicial, law enforcement and other social service workers," Thweatt said.

CAAR's primary focus is to bring autism resources to Baldwin County.

"Currently, families challenged by Autism Spectrum Disorders are traveling out of our area for testing and ABA therapy," she said. "A group of parents decided to bring their organizational skills together to create the vehicle that we need to accomplish our mission - CAAR," she said.

For more information visit alcaar.org or contact Thweatt at mary@alcaar.org or (251) 978-6577.