Greengard Center for Autism

Greengard Center For Autism Mission

The mission of the Greengard Center for Autism located in Portsmouth, NH, is to create quality programs for adults and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The Greengard Center seeks to provide unique lifelong opportunities for individuals with autism to have a productive quality of life through ongoing education, meaningful work, and access to recreation, social and community acceptance and participation.

Every parent who has a child with autism worries “what will happen when my child becomes an adult with autism”. The Greengard Center was founded by Dr. Barbara Frankel who knew how crucial it was to address this question because she, too, is a parent of an adult with autism. Dr. Frankel was committed to ensuring her son would have access to quality adult services and, with that, she founded The Greengard Center.

Located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the Greengard Center provides unique, lifelong opportunities for individuals with autism. Our program is grounded in an evidence-based and compassionate approach, providing a safe, comfortable and enriching social environment that will promote learning, belonging and independence.

The Greengard Center For Autism provides services to promote continued education, access to recreation, and always strives towards community acceptance and participation.

How can you help make a difference in the lives of our individuals?...

Help Us Empower Communication & Connection Through Technology!

This year, The Greengard Center for Autism is raising funds to enhance the technology and communication tools available to our individuals and staff. Donations will help provide iPads, communication and learning applications, staff training, and meeting equipment that support meaningful engagement, independence, skill development, and community participation. By investing in these resources, you are helping ensure that individuals we support have access to the tools they need to communicate, learn, connect, and thrive every day. 

Together, we can create more opportunities, stronger connections, and brighter futures!

"I chose to work at Greengard because I wanted to make a difference in someone's life. Each milestone in the individual who I work with's day to day reminds me of why I do what I do. My favorite part about working at Greengard is the supportive community and the connections I have made. Since I started I have felt as I can turn to any one of my coworkers or administrators for guidance or aid." - Maddy, Therapeutic Instructor

Greengard Center offers an Adult Social Skills Group for those 18+. The group is a “hang out style” group where participants socialize, play games, and just hang out. This group aids in providing adults with resources to use to get involved in the community, this includes: resume and interview workshops, Coast bus access and information, and most importantly giving the attendees a safe space to ask questions, be themselves, and forge new friendships! 

"I've been coming to Hangout Group for several years. Coming to Hangout Group has helped me outside of Greengard because it has allowed me to build friendships with others on the spectrum." - Social Skills Group Attendee

"I like meeting people who are like me. It's also nice to have a dedicated social time because I do not otherwise have that in my life. I like when we play social games that involve creativity and humor. Hangout Group helps me get out of the house and gives me opportunities for socializing. I think a lot of people on the spectrum aren't well equipped for the same social events that other partake in, such as going out to bars, parties, concerts, etc. That's why I think a hangout group like this is a good option to have." - Kieran, Social Skills Group Attendee

"The Social Skills "Hangout" Group is such a special part of Greengard. Since getting involved with the program I have grown from aiding in running sessions to managing the program. Getting to know all the individuals and giving them the safe space to be themselves, ask questions, and most importantly have fun warms my heart. It is so important to give those without access in their day to day lives a place where they can meet new people, get out of the house and try new things - even when they may be challenging. It has been such a pleasure to see them all grow and laugh with them; these guys are some of the funniest people I know! I look forward to seeing this program expand in the years to come!" - Melanie, Center Lead