Youngstown, OH: "State-of-the-art autism center" to open; 'waitlist grown significantly'

April 20, 2022, WFMJ, Youngstown, OH: Boardman Red Roof Inn to transform into state-of-the art autism center https://www.wfmj.com/story/46332747/boardman-red-roof-inn-to-transform-into-stateofthe-art-autism-center

The site of a former Boardman hotel will soon be the home of 75 to 100 brand new jobs in the Mahoning Valley. Dr. Julie Knapp of the Knapp Center for Childhood Development purchased the site of the recently closed Red Roof Inn on Tiffany Street off of South Avenue. Dr. Knapp's plan is to turn the space into a state-of-the art autism center to be operated by her business. The company wants to increase the number of services to children with autism, such as offering speech therapy and occupational therapy. "With 1 in 44 children being identified with autism, our waitlist has grown significantly," said Dr. Knapp. "Children with developmental delays need treatment immediately and cannot afford to wait for services. Thus, acquiring this new building will allow the Knapp Center to do its part in helping the autism community receive much needed services in a timely fashion."… Knapp added this new chapter of their growing business will service hundreds of more children and young adults with autism. Knapp's sister company, Absolute Behavior Health, will also operate out of the building. "That's going to be the company that will offer diagnostics, speech therapy, occupational therapy and counseling services," Knapp said. "So, we will be able to expand the types of services we offer as well."… The new center will undergo about $1 million dollars in renovations before their scheduled opening in Fall 2022.