UNLV Ackerman Autism Center

UNLV School of Medicine and the Grant A Gift Autism Foundation have joined forces to open the UNLV Medicine Ackerman Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Solutions. The new center combines cutting-edge diagnostics, treatment, behavioral / vocational training, support programs, and education for infants to young adults, all in one outpatient setting.

The UNLV Medicine Ackerman Autism Center provides clients with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, and speech and behavioral therapists, for a comprehensive diagnosis, treatment plan, follow-up care and support services.

A girl holding a teddy bear

Our Mission

Ensure every infant, child, adolescent and young adult with Autism and neurodevelopmental challenges has access to a medical home that provides high quality, multi-specialty diagnostic, treatment, and intervention services.

UNLV Medicine Ackerman Autism Center Services

  • Diagnostic teams in developmental pediatrics, genetics, neuropsychology, speech
  • Pediatric primary care for families with children with autism and neurodevelopmental challenges
  • Medication management
  • Care management, psychological follow-up services, and social service navigation for every family
  • Individualized behavioral programs and services
  • The Early Start Denver Model, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Social Skills and vocational training for children, teens and young adults
  • Parental education and support groups
  • Sibling support groups and activities
  • Volunteer opportunities and training

Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) for Young Children with Autism

The ESDM is an evidenced-based treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is an intensive program that combines therapist intervention and parent education. It was developed for children aged 1-year to 4-years of age. The underlying principles of the ESDM focus on the primary deficits of Autism, specifically the failure to develop social communication. The curriculum follows the natural developmental progression in all areas of development but there is a primary focus on three critical areas of development: imitation, affect sharing, and referential communication. The ESDM is a structured, play based behavioral program that uses the principles of child development, Pivotal Response Training, and Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Payment

The Center currently accepts Medicaid, private pay and the following private insurance plans:

  • Culinary
  • One Health
  • Sierra Health and Life
  • Sierra Health Options
  • HPN

Patient Forms

Please print out these forms and fill them out prior to your appointment. Thank you.

Location

In the Las Vegas Medical District

630 S. Rancho Drive, Suite A
Las Vegas, NV 89106

Phone

Appointments/Referrals:
702-998-9505

Our Medical Directors

Julie F. Beasley, Ph.D.

Child Neuropsychologist
UNLV Medicine Ackerman Autism Center Director
Julie F. Beasley
Dr. Beasley has been in private practice for 17 years providing neuropsychological assessment and treatment for children from birth to 25 years of age with a variety of medical, developmental, behavioral, genetic, and social-emotional disorders (e.g., syndromes, Autism, FAS, ADHD, learning disabilities, mood and anxiety disorders, chronic illness, brain injury).  She also provided...
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Mario Gaspar De Alba, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Dr. Mario J. Gaspar de Alba is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities for the Autism Center. He also assists the school of medicine achieve and maintain a diverse faculty and student body, which in turns creates a culture of inclusion amongst patients and throughout the school. He is devoted to educating medical students regarding appropriate...
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