The Center for Autism Education

Empowering Families Since 2002

Where Ability Meets Opportunity

The Center for Autism Education (CAE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential. Since opening our doors in 2002 — with just 10 students in a small strip mall in O’Fallon — we’ve grown into a multi-site agency that has served over 350 individuals and their families across the Greater St. Louis area.

What sets CAE apart is our unwavering commitment to inclusion. We proudly serve individuals regardless of behavior, offering support for those with intense behavioral needs including aggression, self-injury, and property destruction. Our certified staff, therapists, and behavior analysts work together to reduce challenging behaviors and teach valuable coping and life skills. Our goal is always the same: to help every individual succeed — at school, at home, and in the community.

Instructional Day Facility

Year-Round K-12 Education Tailored to Every Student

Located in St. Peters, Missouri, our school-based program partners with 12 local school districts to serve students in grades K–12. Each student receives highly individualized support (1:1 or 2:1) aligned with their IEP, delivered by a team of Certified Teachers, Therapists, and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts.

Our year-round curriculum includes on-site physical, occupational, and speech/language therapies. We use evidence-based teaching strategies that focus on building communication, academic progress, adaptive functioning, and real-world skills that help students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.

Support Services

Creating Meaningful Lives Beyond Graduation

In 2010, we expanded our services to include adults — meeting a critical gap for families whose loved ones had aged out of school programs but still needed specialized support. CAE’s Adult Day Program provides both one-on-one and group services based on individual needs. Our mission is to ensure every adult has the resources, skills, and opportunities to lead a happy, fulfilling life.

Our Support Services Department includes:

• Day Services — Helping adults increase independence through life skills, volunteer work, and weekly community outings.

• Behavior Support Services — Delivered at home or in the community, these services are guided by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis. Each individualized plan works to reduce challenging behaviors and build independence.

Both programs are funded by Medicaid Waiver and are located conveniently next door to our school campus, providing a full continuum of care.