Building Lives, One Connection at a Time: Inside the Autism Services Center

For nearly five decades, the Autism Services Center (ASC) has been a quiet but powerful force in the community, growing from a single dining room table into one of the region’s most overarching behavioral health providers, one ASC leader said.

“We’re a comprehensive licensed behavioral health center,” said CEO Jimmie Beirne. “Our goal is to work with every family and every individual in need.”

Founded 46 years ago by Dr. Ruth Sullivan, ASC began as an information and referral hotline operated out of her own home. What started as a grassroots effort to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities has since evolved into a multi-state organization serving parts of West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. Today, ASC employs around 500 staff members and offers a wide range of services that span the entire lifespan, from early childhood intervention to adult residential care.

That mission is reflected in the breadth of services ASC provides, Beirne said. Through applied behavior analysis clinics, the center currently serves about 150 children, though hundreds more remain on a waitlist–an indication of the growing demand for autism services. Beyond clinical care, Beirne said ASC offers in-home support for both children and adults, training services, respite care, supported employment, and 24-hour residential programs.

Their reach extends into local schools as well, with behavioral support services in districts across the region.

“We provide services in Putnam County, Mason County and in all seven school districts in Lawrence County,” he said. "We also provide support in Boyd County, as well as quite a few districts in the Ashland area.”

In these classrooms, ASC staff work directly with students and educators to navigate behavioral challenges and foster success.

Despite its scale, Beirne said ASC’s identity is rooted in something more personal.

“What makes ASC unique is our people,” he said. “Our department directors average about 25 years of experience here. They grew up in the agency, I grew up in the agency; there’s a shared sense of purpose.”

That culture of commitment is echoed by Tasha Enix, ASC’s Enrollment and Credentialing Manager, who also serves as the event coordinator for the Ruth Sullivan Rally for Autism.

“It’s a great agency with great people who really care, not only about their jobs, but what their jobs are doing for others,” she said.

Beirne said ASC’s approach goes beyond meeting basic needs. At its core, ASC follows the philosophy of person-centered planning, helping individuals with autism build meaningful, engaging lives based on their own interests and goals.

“If we were going to define our own quality of life, we’d talk about the things we enjoy,” Beirne said. “That’s what we try to create–lives where people are ready to get started in the day.”

That philosophy often translates into deeply personal moments of success, he added.

“Some of the most touching times have been when the parents of the child receiving services hear the words of their child for the first time,” Beirne said. “That brings tears to not only the moms and dads, but to our staff.”

For others, progress is seen over time, including greater independence, navigating daily life, or maintaining long-term stability in residential care.

In ASC’s clinics, those milestones can culminate in something even bigger, Beirne said.

“We have children graduate from our program, and what that means is they are now meeting all the developmental milestones that their same-age peers do,” he said. “To have graduations, it’s a big deal.”

Specifically, that philosophy comes to life in stories like Out of the Darkness: The Jeff Matney Story, a documentary referenced by Beirne that captures one individual’s transformation through ASC’s care. Jeff arrived as a teenager facing severe behavioral challenges, isolated from school and much of daily life. Through structured support and intervention, Jeff gained independence, reentered school, and built the skills needed to engage with the world around him–so much so that during a visit, his own parents initially didn’t recognize him.

For Beirne, stories like Jeff’s are not exceptions, but rather reflections of what consistent, person-centered care can achieve.

“In almost every case, you see growth,” he said. “Whether it’s independence, communication or just navigating daily life.”

Still, the organization faces ongoing challenges. Workforce shortages, particularly for behavior technicians and direct support staff, have intensified in recent years, combined with funding shortages. For this reason, community engagement plays a critical role in helping bridge that gap. One of ASC’s most visible efforts is the annual Rally for Autism, a 5K event designed to raise awareness and resources while bringing families together. For Enix, the impact of the event is deeply personal.

“I was on the phone with someone the other day, and they told me how much it meant for their son to come to this event,” she said. “He gets to see other kids and families just like him, and it’s a blessing for them.”

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary on April 25, 2026, at Ritter Park, the rally is being reimagined with vendors, food trucks, and activities for families, along with a memorial honoring Elaine Harvey, whose vision helped shape the event into what it is today.

Beyond fundraising, both Beirne and Enix stress the importance of awareness, particularly during Autism Awareness Month. While autism diagnoses continue to rise, understanding and resources have not always kept pace.

“There’s no cure for autism, but there’s training,” Beirne said. “It’s not a limitation, it’s a different way of experiencing the world. With the right supports, individuals can live full, inclusive lives.”

Looking ahead, ASC’s goals are both simple and ambitious: Grow sustainably, expand services, and remove the barriers that prevent families from accessing care.

“Our goal is to meet every need that’s requested of us,” Beirne said.

For the Autism Service Center, that mission has remained unchanged since its earliest days, helping individuals not only receive support but build lives defined by independence, opportunity, and connection. Those interested in the 25th Annual Rally for Autism can register at the link below: rallyforautism.org

To learn more about the Autism Services Center, visit https://www.autismservicescenter.org/