New support systems for autism care spread across Southwest Florida in 2025. A charter school, first responder training, and added therapy choices now serve more people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The first free school for students with autism in Collier County started classes in August. Autism Collier Charter School teaches 80 K-12 students, with 200 kids on the waiting list.
“I was always drawn to the kiddos that were just a little bit different,” said Emily Kafle, principal of the Autism Collier Charter School, according to Naples Daily News. Kafle used to oversee special education programs for 7,000 students with disabilities in Collier County…