It was the love and commitment of six pairs of parents who started the Oakes Children's Center for their own autistic children over 40 years ago. In 1962, there was no community-based educational program available for autistic children. The only option at that time for these six pairs of parents was to institutionalize their own children. These parents wanted a specially designed program that would provide an education for their children within a therapeutic context. They met with local mental health professionals, developed a program and obtained a grant. Much of the clinical staff volunteered and parents worked part time without pay in the classrooms. The program became increasingly professionalized and over the years developed into a successful school that serves children with severe emotional and developmental disabilities. Today, Oakes Children's Center continues to help developmentally delayed and emotionally disturbed children develop the independence and self-awareness necessary to live and continue learning in the least restrictive setting possible within their local community. Through our combined school and day treatment center, and our other programs, we provide a full range of services to more than 100 children per year, ages 5 to 18, and their families. Our goals for the children include: keeping them out of institutions; bringing them to academic grade level; helping them develop good communication skills; and preparing them for the challenge of participating in the broader community.