A Star nonprofit founded by a military veteran and mother who is herself on the autism spectrum built a family resource center from the ground up, aiming to give local families a nonjudgmental place to find support, answers, and community. The Autism House Foundation planned an open-house-style grand opening on Veterans Day, with a ribbon cutting that evening alongside the mayor of Star.
From Lyla's House to a Statewide Mission
The organization behind the center traces back to Lyla's House, named for founder Dana Batts' daughter, according to KTVB. Over time it expanded its mission to support more families and became the Autism House Foundation, a nonprofit now operating in the Treasure Valley. Batts, who has two children she describes as forever kids, has long offered sensory-friendly services to families across the region, and the station reports she built the center specifically so families would not feel alone.
GuideStar's nonprofit profile lists the organization as formerly Lyla's House, confirming the foundation's roots before its rebrand. The same filing notes the group hosted its first Autism Walk in 2025, along with a Special Olympics event and an Idaho Chief of Police Conference, signaling how quickly its footprint grew before the Star center took shape.
A Sensory Room Built From an Empty Space
The resource center was built from scratch inside a completely changed space, with community members donating services to help bring it to life, per the station's report. Businesses and community donors helped make the project possible, and Batts has said the people who pitched in have become like family to her. The finished center includes a sensory room for both children and adults.
Earlier reporting from the Idaho Statesman detailed that the Star location would include a sensory room along with spaces for face-to-face meetings. Batts told the Statesman she planned to offer community events, support sessions, in-person meetings, first responder liaison nights, and a local resource directory. The Statesman also reported that Batts began bringing sensory tents to community events after an initial sensory setup at an autism walk proved hugely successful, prompting her to bring the offering to other events.
Veterans Day Opening and a Packed Schedule of Services
Coverage of the project's timeline has varied. KTVB reported that the center would officially open on Wednesday, Nov. 13, while a later report from Lite 97.9 stated that the Autism House would officially open Idaho's first autism resource center in Star on Nov. 11, 2026. That outlet reported the grand opening was scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at 200 N. Seneca Springs Way, Suite 102, in Star.
According to Lite 97.9, the center planned to provide free one-on-one support and social groups for families, alongside educational classes covering IEPs, estate planning, music therapy, speech and language development, and ADA laws. KTVB separately reported the resource center would offer classes about IEPs and the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with social groups, connection time, game nights, and morning coffee gatherings. The foundation says it welcomes all families.
