Today 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with Autism making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. The school opened its doors in order to improve the quality of education for children with Autism from the Long Island and New York City areas who could not be served in their available public school settings. The ELIJA School also provides extensive training programs, advocacy and outreach services for for professionals, individuals, their families, teachers and caregivers.