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About US

NDAC historY

The North Dakota Autism Center, Inc. was founded because of one little boy. In 2002, the Smith family was blessed with an amazing little boy named Tyler. Gene and Sandy Smith were excited to be adding to the family. Tyler was joining the troop with two older sisters, Darcy (Kasprowicz) and Sarah (Matthews). They all could not wait to spoil him. Excited about the opportunity to attend and cheer him on at football games, baseball games, and take him hunting! He was such a wonderful addition to the family.

In 2003, Tyler got sick. He would barely drink his bottles or eat anything. Sandy took him to the doctor and was told to continue pushing fluids. He had a virus that lasted for 12 days. Finally, he started to perk up, but what came next would change the lives of this family forever.

Tyler forgot how to walk and talk. He would not respond to his name or any other direction. He also stopped looking at people. Sandy feared that Tyler had lost his hearing. After a few appointments with the audiologist, it was determined that he could hear and was recommended to speech therapy.

During this time, Sandy had also started to do her research about what was going on with Tyler. She came across many articles that seemed similar to the things Tyler was doing. Things such as obsessively stacking or lining up items, fixation of objects, sensory issues, no longer using words, repetitive behaviors and not meeting age appropriate milestones. Sandy brought up her findings to Tyler’s pediatrician. At the time, the doctor dismissed Sandy’s concerns.

Tyler continued with speech therapy. At the end of a session, the therapist told Sandy she should get Tyler evaluated at the Developmental Clinic. Sandy scheduled an appointment right away.

In February 2004, Tyler was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), which was on the Autism Spectrum.

Finally, Tyler’s family had a starting point.     Autism. 

It was recommended that Tyler receive 40 hours of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy. Sandy started her search to find a therapist in the area. Unfortunately, she soon found out the closest center-based therapy was 5 hours away. At this time Sandy worked for Microsoft. She had this amazing autism benefit, but wasn’t able to use it. It took some time and precious time was ticking away. Eventually, Sandy found an individual to do therapy for her son. 

As Tyler began this intensive early intervention therapy, his sister, Darcy, was taking him back and forth to his sessions between classes at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Darcy was on track to graduate soon and start her career. The Smiths had to come up with options on how to keep Tyler’s progress going and how they were going to get him back and forth to all of his therapies. Darcy made the decision to put her career on hold to take care of Tyler. In December of 2004, Darcy opened an in-home daycare that would allow therapists in and out of her home to help the children she cared for. Seeing the need to help children with extra needs, Sandy and Darcy made the decision to start the process of creating a place for these amazing kids. In 2006, the North Dakota Autism Center, Inc. was incorporated. In 2007, they became a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. In 2008, the family’s dream became a reality and the North Dakota Autism Center, Inc. opened the doors to provide services to all of the AuSome individuals that needed the support. 

What we live by...

Our Mission

To empower and enrich the lives of all individuals.

Our Vision

We envision a community where all individuals are included, valued, and have a sense of belonging.

Core Values

Compassion – We appreciate others’ perspectives and learn by listening.

Integrity – We always act with honesty, equity, and respect for all.

Teamwork – We do our best work by collaborating and encouraging others.

Excellence – We demand more of ourselves to achieve AuSome goals.

Support – We work alongside others to create a cultivating environment that celebrates individuality.


Meet our Leadership Team

Darcy Kasprowicz

Darcy Kasprowicz
Founder/Executive Director

Darcy Kasprowicz is the co-founder of the North Dakota Autism Center, Inc. and the Executive Director. Darcy tells the organization’s story and builds community connections.

Darcy’s brother, Tyler, has autism and she has dedicated her career to raise awareness and acceptance. She has been with the Autism Center since the beginning and has worked to create an inclusive and supportive community. Darcy’s focus has and always will be to embrace all of our uniqueness. It is her belief that everyone has an important part to play in the world and through kindness and positivity anything is possible.

Darcy has a B.S. in Business Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead. In addition, she was a 2015 United Way 35 Under 35 participant, 2019 FMWF Chamber Leadership graduate, and 2022 North Dakota Women’s Business Center Leadership graduate. 

Born and raised in the FMWF area, she currently resides in Horace with her husband, Eric, and daughter, Alexis. Darcy enjoys spending time with her family, watching her daughter play soccer, reading, and going to movies.

Miranda Marum

Miranda Marum
Director of Finance

Miranda Marum is the Director of Finance for the North Dakota Autism Center. Miranda is responsible for NDAC’s long-term financial health and growth. Her roles consist of maintaining budgets and assisting with financial decisions, overseeing accounting and billing operations, producing accurate reports of the business’s finances, and improving current practices to increase efficiency.

Miranda attended North Dakota State University, achieving her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. She also attended Rasmussen College, achieving her associate’s degrees in Human Resources and Business Management.

Miranda lives in West Fargo with her husband Derrick, two daughters Mia and Lena, and two dogs Capone and Halsey. She loves to play sports, especially volleyball, soccer, and softball in the summertime. Miranda is now coaching her daughter Mia’s club volleyball team. She enjoys going to concerts and anything outdoors with her family.

Tom Kopp

Tom Kopp
Director of Mission Development

Tom Kopp is the Director of Mission Development for the North Dakota Autism Center. Tom’s role is to lead the Community Programs, Marketing/Communications Department, and the Development Department. Through in-person connections, media and forums, Tom shares the mission and story of NDAC. He also assists the Executive Director in building relationships within the local community and developing strategic partnerships with businesses and organizations.

Tom attended the University of North Dakota, completing his Criminal Justice degree in December of 2005. Since then, Tom has worked for 16+ years in multiple non-profit residential programs as a positive leader, mostly in a director role. Tom worked closely with youth, direct care staff, case management, families, custodians, and guardians to provide outstanding care and give hope to those they served. Tom also had taken time to meet with donors on various occasions to give insight into the programs and tour the facilities.

Tom currently lives in Fargo with his wife Kelly, their three children Porter, Briggs, Maris, and their golden retriever, Murphy. Tom enjoys playing golf, the Fargo Force, UND hockey and football, and watching his kids in all their extracurricular activities that range from hockey, football, basketball, baseball, swimming, soccer, and gymnastics. Tom loves to spend his free time in the summer at the lake and loves to travel with his family. 

Hanson, Emily (new) (website crop)

Emily Hanson, M.ED., BCBA, LBA
Clinical Director of Behavior Support Services

Emily Hanson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in the Behavior Support Department at the North Dakota Autism Center. Emily’s role involves managing a caseload of clients and their individual goals. Emily also collaborates with a team of staff to create and implement individualized behavior intervention plans for each child. Emily worked at the North Dakota Autism Center from 2014-2016 as a Registered Behavior Technician before moving to Colorado. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University and became a BCBA in 2018. Emily returned to work at the North Dakota Autism Center in September of 2019. 

Emily’s goal is to meet each client’s needs and teach at their pace of learning while working closely with parents and other family members to alleviate any stress or anxiety that occurs. Emily thrives on promoting a positive company culture and keeping the energy light and fun. She celebrates with her clients as they achieve their goals and shares in the joys and successes with family members. 

Outside of work you can find Emily on a walk with her anxiety-ridden, 100-pound chocolate lab, watching The Office with her husband, or spending time with her family. She loves to travel and explore new places, but her favorite place to be is relaxing at the lake.

Krista Brustad

Krista Brustad
Director of Family Support Services

Krista Brustad is the Director of Family Support Services at the North Dakota Autism Center. Born and raised in Devils Lake, ND, she earned her undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education and K-12 Special Education from Mayville State University in 2015. She went on to get her graduate degree in General Special Education in 2021 from the University of North Dakota. After seven years working as a special education teacher and case manager in three different schools, she decided to join NDAC to support individuals with disabilities and their families in a different way.

In her free time, Krista enjoys being a mom and doing activities with her young daughter such as playing in the park, going swimming, or causing general mayhem. Her other hobbies include playing softball, listening to audiobooks, enjoying lake season, and spending time with friends and family.

Board of Directors

Rammie Olson

Board President

Rammie Olson

Thomas Beadle

Vice President

Thomas Beadle

Jodi Stende

Secretary

Kjiesta Moch

Treasurer

Chance Lindsey

Dan Cash

Brandon Erickson

Jess Engel

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Our Mission

To empower and enrich the lives of all individuals.