Autism In Motion

Owner: Autism In Motion
Location: 527 N. Maple Street, Murfreesboro, TN
Project Scope: New therapy clinic

Autism in Motion (AIM), whose mission is to ensure every child with autism has the opportunity to live a happy, fulfilling life, already has eight locations throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. AIM’s new Murfreesboro clinic marks the organization’s ninth location.

Originally a BellSouth hub and then a doctor’s office for several years, the building sat empty for multiple years. Dow Smith Company had already renovated the outside of the building while it was empty and the team was brought back for this design-build fit-up project. The renovation needed to include some key things: an accommodating waiting room, a statement wall with letters lit from within, an open treatment area for art projects and table-top sensory activities, a Natural Environment Training room, a gross motor room with a trampoline, swing and active play toys as well as a teen room with video games and Legos.

One of the unique things about this clinic is an observation window, which gives parents the opportunity to observe treatment. Parents can gather in the conference room and observe through one-way glass. They can take what they’ve learned at the clinic and apply it at home. This is AIM’s first clinic with an interactive art space, which includes magnetic dry erase wallpaper that completely covers the wall. Magnets, letters, and markers are available to be used in lessons and activities.

COVID-19 provided additional challenges because the job site was limited to 10 people, which required coordination on who was coming and going. Despite these obstacles, the Dow Smith Company team completed the project ahead of schedule. And, before Autism in Motion ever opened its doors to the public, the facility won an award. In February, Main Street Murfreesboro announced that RK Urban Development had won the Downtown Design Award. This was a truly special project for an incredible resource in the Murfreesboro community.