New Autism Support Center Opens This Weekend

TEWKSBURY, MA - PrideStar EMS, a Lowell-based medical transportation and emergency services company, is launching with its partners a new venture in the healthcare field for families dealing with Autism.

The PrideStar Center for Applied Learning (PCAL), a Merrimack Valley-based community center specializing in the needs of children and young adults impacted by autism and other neurological, behavioral and cognitive disorders will open next month.

The PrideStar Center will hold its grand opening on Saturday, April 2 on World Autism Awareness Day.

“I am very proud to be facilitating the opening of this new venture,” said David Daly, PrideStar EMS’ chief executive officer said in a statement released last week. “We have a talented and passionate team to make this a huge success and PrideStar EMS has the perfect infrastructure to support its establishment."

Daly says PCAL will offer specialized services to the special needs population in the area with highly specialized and programmatic teaching.

PrideStar’s Executive Director Lyn Snow explains the center is not a school, but a community center for people impacted by autism spectrum disorder.

"PCAL will provide after-school, weekend, and vacation supports to families across the Merrimack Valley and beyond," Snow says. "Additionally, we will offer a variety of training programs, workshops and consultations to families, school staff and administrators”

Personal experience played a major role in the formation of the PrideStar Center, center officials say.

Co- Founder and Executive Vice President, Frank McCabe, a father of a child with autism, shared his vision. “The PrideStar Center is really a dream come true for me and my family. Children of this population need so much support beyond their normal school program; PCAL will serve as an extension of that but in a safe, nurturing and social environment.”

PCAL will open its first facility at 229 Stedman Street. in Lowell, the other half of PrideStar EMS’ headquarters.

Daly, Snow, McCabe, as well as the company’s CFO, Jonathan Miller, are lifelong friends.

“The fact that we can embark on this exciting journey with old and trusted friends makes this all the sweeter,” McCabe added. “We have great aspirations for all of the lives we will be able to impact.”