About Us
Our Mission in Action
KATC’s work is guided by a deep respect for neurodiversity and a belief in the strengths, rights, and potential of every autistic person. We focus on:
- Sharing Resources & Training Offering evidence-informed professional development and resource materials to support inclusive practices in education, early childhood, mental health, and employment systems.
- Empowering Families Providing accessible tools, services, and training opportunities—including videos, workshops, and community events—that honor family voice and promote informed decision-making.
- Community Outreach Creating and distributing practical, affirming resources that reflect current research and community needs, including videos, guides, and toolkits.
- Model Development Collaborating with educators, schools, and families to co-create and refine evidence-informed models that support meaningful inclusion and learning.
- Regional Capacity Building Partnering with the Kentucky Department of Education to deliver training and technical assistance that strengthens school and district-level supports across Kentucky.
The Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) is a university-based initiative with a legislative mandate to enhance outcomes for all Kentuckians who are autistic. Rooted in a commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and equity, KATC works to bridge the gap between research and practice by sharing resources, fostering sustainable partnerships, and expanding access to evidence-informed strategies across the Commonwealth.
Established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1996, KATC serves as a statewide resource for autistic individuals, families, educators, and community partners. Housed within the University of Louisville’s College of Education and Human Development, KATC has spent nearly 30 years supporting inclusive learning environments, hosting family-centered workshops, and offering professional development that reflects current research and lived experience.
The role of the Kentucky Autism Training Center is to:
- Provide resource information and evidence-based professional development training for the systems of support for individuals with ASD in education, early childhood, mental health and employment.
- Empower families through providing resource, services and support information and evidence-based training opportunities (i.e. videos, workshops).
- Provide outreach through the development and dissemination of resource materials, videos and other evidence-based information for the community.
- Develop evidence-based models and practices for educators, schools and families.
- Build regional capacity through a collaborative partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education to develop training and technical assistance for schools and school districts.
The Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) is committed to improving the quality of life for autistics in the state of Kentucky - through all stages and settings of life.
Our Beliefs
The Kentucky Autism Training Center believes all people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have value, can contribute to society and are unique. All people with ASD and their families deserve access to seamless systems of multidisciplinary support across the lifespan and communities need to be prepared to embrace all individuals with autism. Support and services should be person-centered and early diagnosis, followed by early intervention, can improve outcomes
We believe that professionals need support and resources in order to sustain evidence-based practices and master new skills. The fidelity of evidence-based practice is the basis of effective service delivery across communities and comprehensive planning and data-based decisions are essential for continuous improvement of the processes and outcomes of our work. Also, attracting professionals to the field of ASD is important to the sustainability of services.
Although the changing political and social environments will continue to place a demand on flexibility and creativity, when we educate individuals with ASD, our goal is to aim for personal independence and social responsibility.
Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) will create, grow and maintain relationships with service systems and providers that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families through the following:
- Use technology to promote KATC, distribute informational materials and communicate with families and professionals.
- Increase communication with educational leaders in Kentucky and report findings to diverse audiences.
- Develop a relationship with early interventions service systems to promote early identification, diagnostics and the use of appropriate and evidence practices.
- Develop a relationship with mental health service system and providers to promote the use of appropriate and evidence practices.
- Develop a relationship with adult service system and providers to promote the use of appropriate and evidence practices.
- Develop relationships with established family groups and disseminate information to all populations.
KATC will develop materials and supports consistent with evidence-based practices for families, educators and service providers:
- Utilize technology to disseminate information to families and professionals.
- Develop resources, planning processes and communication mechanisms for educators.
- Provide basic information about resources, supports, services and evidence-based practices to families and professionals.
- Provide religious communities with basic information about building supportive environments for families affected by autism and empower support groups to develop relationships with religious communities.
KATC will provide direct training consistent with evidence-based practices to families, educators and service providers across the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
- Provide web-based content regarding evidence-based practice.
- Provide information regarding evidence-based practices, data collection, coaching and program planning for educators, early interventionists, professionals supporting adults and family members.
Strategies to implement strategic plan:
- Purposefully integrate individuals and families into network, program and resource planning.
- Use a variety of technology-based delivery and communication systems to connect with families and professionals.
- Promote the development of seamless systems of individual and family support in early intervention, mental health, education and employment.
- Extend the regional capacity development approach to early intervention, mental health and employment.
- Target general and special educators and administrators with information and resources about ASD. Support all school professionals in their efforts to provide students with ASD access to all school environments and the general education curriculum.
- Establish and conduct collaborative activities with university partners.
DOES KATC DO THAT
Caregiver Support
- Caregiver trainings for support groups wanting training
(not for individual families) - Support Groups / KATC Events
School Support
- Staff training for schools wanting training
(not for individual families)
Find out more about what KATC does here
- Provider Lists
- Caregiver Trainings for individual families wanting training
- Ongoing consultation (Case Management)
- Staff Training for individual families wanting training for student's team
- Direct IEP support
- Crisis Support
(Refer to 988 or Local Crisis Line)
Please review all resources provided before contacting KATC directly. Our small staff serves families across the entire state of Kentucky. Your consideration helps us steward our resources and support all families more effectively.
Stay Curious - Stay Connected
Learning is better together