About Us
In 1953, a class of 11 children began meeting in homes and church basements as the Wabash School for the Exceptional when their parents came together, determined to open the doors of opportunity despite public schools being closed to them because of developmental disabilities.
That marked the beginning of what today is known as Wabash Center, serving more than 2,000 children and adults each year. Our programs have evolved but our mission has remained the same: to optimize the quality of life for people with disabilities or special needs. Besides education, today's programs open doors to independent living, employment, and community involvement.
Today, Wabash Center consists of seven divisions designed to help children and adults achieve their dreams:
Kids' Connection is an inclusive childcare center serving children with and without special needs from six weeks to six years. Opened in 1991, this state licensed childcare center operates based on the principle that children of all abilities learn and grow together in the same classrooms. The children are taught through hands-on, self-directed activities that increase thinking and reasoning skills while encouraging independence to the greatest extent possible.
Wabash Center also serves as the System Point of Entry (SPOE) for the First Steps Early Intervention program in mid-north central Indiana. First Steps is a state-wide program offering eligible children and their families' special therapies, counseling and support in their natural environment in hopes of stimulating each child's development. The first three years of a child's life are very important. Human learning and development are most rapid in time from birth to age three. As children age the development gap will widen without early intervention. Our goal is to give them every advantage possible to become independent members of our community, by effectively preparing and transitioning children into the public education system.