The Birchtree Center is a nonprofit organization that builds full and productive lives for individuals with behavior challenges, autism, and/or related disabilities.

28 public school districts on the Seacoast and in neighboring communities rely on Birchtree’s expertise, sending students to our day school and/or bringing our experts into their public schools. 

AUTISM DAY SCHOOL: 22 school districts send students to our day school in Portsmouth--the only year-round school in our state serving students with autism exclusively. This preK-12 school is staffed by autism experts known for their ability to help students with significant behavior and communication challenges. Students from NH, ME & MA travel up to 75 minutes each way every day to attend.

OUTREACH PROGRAM: Experts on Birchtree’s Outreach team travel 30,000+ miles/year throughout southern NH--helping individuals aged 3+ with autism and behavior challenges to succeed in their local public schools and communities.

POST-COVID COMMUNITY NEEDS: 1 in 36 US children has autism. On the Seacoast, many of these youth experienced severe setbacks during COVID-19. Many were unable to participate effectively in remote instruction. This led them to lose essential communication, self-regulation, and social skills. This has decreased the quality of life for these youth, their families, and their communities.

The Birchtree Center transforms the lives of individuals with autism and behavior challenges.

Birchtree depends on contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and fundraising events to underwrite essential capital expenditures and improvements.

Race proceeds will allow Birchtree to make one-time investments in technology, a vehicle, and facility upgrades. This will build Birchtree’s long-term capacity to meet the needs of Seacoast youth with autism and behavior challenges.