FAIRFIELD — Kennebec Valley Community College will launch a two-year Autism Spectrum Disorder Studies degree program in the fall of 2012 in response to a rapid rise nationally in autism diagnosis among children.

The associate of applied science degree is in the final stages of the approval process and students are being accepted into the program for the fall.

“KVCC has always adapted its program offerings to meet changing workforce needs, and the addition of a two-year autism degree is both timely and appropriate given the College’s experience in autism education and the significant increase in autism diagnosis nationwide,” KVCC President Barbara Woodlee said in a press release.

KVCC offers an advanced certificate program in autism spectrum disorders in 2008, the new two-year degree will replace that program.

For more information, call 453-5198 or email [email protected] .