Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at UVU

09/19/2026

09/18/2026

What if the next step isn't creating solutions for the community, but creating them with the community?

At the Autism and Mental Health Conference, we heard powerful perspectives from autistic adults, families, clinicians, educators, students, and community leaders.

One message was clear:

Mental health support must be accessible, autism-informed, and shaped by the people who use it.

Utah has an opportunity to strengthen support, expand professional capacity, and create more pathways to care, but first we need to understand the needs, barriers, and priorities that exist across our state.

That's where you come in.

✔️ Take the survey.
✔️ Share your experiences.
✔️ Join the conversation.

Together, we can identify challenges, highlight strengths, and build practical solutions that reflect the voices of our community.

09/16/2026

Why continue the conversation about autism and mental health? Because the need is real.

Research consistently shows that autistic individuals experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges than the general population.

Yet many autistic individuals and families report:
• Difficulty finding qualified providers
• Long waitlists for services
• Limited access to autism-informed mental health supports
• Challenges during major life transitions

These challenges are felt across Utah; in schools, workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities.

The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism is working to better understand where the gaps exist and where opportunities for growth are emerging.

Your voice can help shape what comes next.

📋 Complete our statewide survey.
💬 Opt in to participate in future discussions and solution-building efforts.

The strongest solutions are built with the people most impacted by them.

09/04/2026

The conference may be over, but the conversation cannot end here.

Mental health concerns affect individuals with autism across the lifespan, yet many families and professionals continue to report difficulty finding providers who understand autism and mental health together.

In Utah, demand for mental health services continues to grow, while many communities face barriers related to provider availability, cost, transportation, and access to autism-informed care.

We believe the next step isn't another one-time event. It's listening.

We're gathering input from autistic individuals, family members, professionals, educators, students, and community partners to better understand the mental health needs that exist across Utah.

📝 Complete the survey and share your perspective.
🤝 Opt in to stay involved as we work toward community-developed solutions.

Together, we can move beyond awareness and toward action.

09/02/2026

🎨✨ Calling All Artists with Autism. We Need your Art!✨🎨
The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism is excited to announce the Super Spectrum Showcase & Soiree on November 5th from 6:00–8:00 PM!
If you’re an artist with autism, we would love to showcase your creativity. Artists of all ages are invited to submit original artwork in any medium for this special community celebration.
🖌️ Paintings
📸 Photography
🎭 Mixed Media
✏️ Drawings
🎨 Digital Art
…and more!
📅 Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026 which is less than a month away.
This is your opportunity to share your talents, connect with the community, and let your creativity shine.
For submission guidelines and details, visit uvu.edu/autism/events.html or contact [email protected].

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

🎨✨ Calling All Artists with Autism! ✨🎨
The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism is excited to announce the Super Spectrum Showcase & Soiree on November 5th from 6:00–8:00 PM!
If you’re an artist with autism, we would love to showcase your creativity. Artists of all ages are invited to submit original artwork in any medium for this special community celebration.
🖌️ Paintings
📸 Photography
🎭 Mixed Media
✏️ Drawings
🎨 Digital Art
…and more!
📅 Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026
This is your opportunity to share your talents, connect with the community, and let your creativity shine.
For submission guidelines and details, visit uvu.edu/autism/events.html or contact [email protected].

08/17/2026

Our amazing Wolverines Elevated students welcomed back the School of Education’s staff today by serving cookies and soda with Milo’s Creamery. The event was sponsored by the Stellar Living Foundation, whom we thank deeply for their contribution to the event and for serving the community by providing opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Find more information on their website at https://stellarliving.com/foundation/