Our Story
The Autism Trust, a non-profit organization with the mission of providing vocational, educational, wellness, and semi-independent residential programs for individuals with autism is the engine behind The Autism Center, Austin.
As parents of a child with autism, Polly and Jonathan Tommey were faced with the painful and disturbing reality that their son, Billy, would have no long-term care facilities or suitable options for his long-term well-being beyond his school years.
Determined to fill this much-needed gap, The Autism Trust was founded in the UK in 2007.
In June 2012, the UK headquarters was established in Sunninghill, featuring a Polly’s Place social enterprise shop that showcases handmade products crafted by people with autism, Asperger’s, and related conditions, as well as their families. The building is also a training center where young adults with autism can practice vocational skills, job training, and work towards an ASDAN certificate.
In October 2012, the Tommey family relocated to Austin, Texas, to further their mission to serve individuals and families impacted by autism, as well as the communities where they live.
The Autism Trust USA received a generous donation of 40 acres of land in Austin, Texas, on which the comprehensive facility will be built.
The Autism Trust has engaged and retained an advisory board. They have developed close working relationships with a certified civil engineer, architects, land developers, builders, and a real estate attorney to assist with the completion of all required tasks related to our land acquisition and development.
The Tommeys are a British family who moved to Austin, Texas, in October 2012 to become permanent residents of the US. They have three beautiful children, Bella, Billy and Toby. Billy is their middle child, now an adult with autism, and like all other parents, they are concerned for their son’s future post-educational years.
As advocates for autism worldwide, they envisioned building The Autism Trust in Austin to provide a healthy, inspiring, and sustainable future for Billy and other adults with autism, enabling them to live with dignity, purpose, and respect for the rest of their lives.
“We have the land. Now we need to build the center. Just imagine, building a place for people with Autism can live for life, where they can be safe and where they can thrive.”
Polly Tommey, Founder of the Autism Trust