Category: LEARN News

LEARN Behavioral Acquires Advances Learning Center of Boston, MA

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BALTIMORE, MD and WATERTOWN, MA: LEARN Behavioral, the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, announced today the acquisition of Watertown, Massachusetts based Advances Learning Center further expanding its provider network in the New England area.

Founded by Katherine Johnson, MA, BCBA in 2002, Advances is widely recognized as one of the highest quality providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the Greater Boston area.  According to Katherine, “Advances was founded based on the need for families to have high-quality ABA services. Over the past 16 years we’ve built a team that we are really proud of. Partnering with LEARN, opens us up to extraordinary opportunities for organizational growth, professional development, and staff advancement.  I’m particularly excited to begin work on opening our second center, which has been a goal for some time now.  We are now in a position to make headway on our ultimate goal: getting services to every family who needs them.”

In combination with recently acquired BCI, LEARN now provides services across the state of Massachusetts and serves more than 700 families. Justin Funches, President of LEARN’s autism provider network, continued, “Advances shares our commitment to clinical excellence and creating an exceptional learning environment for staff. Together we are excited to continue to support to the Greater Boston community.”

About Advances Learning Center

Advances Learning Center serves children and adults with autism and other special needs in the Greater Boston area using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Advances focuses on teaching skills that will have the most significant impact on the lives of clients and their families; evidence-based treatment is tailored to each individual.  Advances is committed to partnering with all members of a client’s family and treatment team toward the ultimate goal: preparation for greater independence in the community. Advances offers center-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, social skills groups, in-home ABA services, parent training, and school-based services and accepts both public and private insurance. advancesonline.com.

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN is the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs. LEARN specializes in behavioral health treatment based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and is committed to providing programs and services that are family-focused, community minded, and delivered with the highest clinical integrity. The LEARN team delivers more than 1.5 million hours of services annually and is comprised of more than 3,000 passionate professionals dedicated to nurturing every child’s personal best. www.learnbehavioral.com.

Long Beach Learning Center: Autism Therapy

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Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) is proud to announce the opening of the Long Beach Learning Center, where kids with autism can receive comprehensive and specialized ABA therapy services.

The Long Beach Learning Center aims to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes learning, socialization, and independence. Located at 999 E. Willow St., the Long Beach Learning Center officially opened on July 25 with a ribbon cutting and open house attended by staff, families, and city and community leaders.

“I’ve been working with AST since May 5 of 2009, so it’s been a little bit of time,” said Brandon Whitfield, senior clinical director for the Beach Cities region of AST. “I’ve spent a lot of time here at Long Beach, and for as long as I can remember, everybody always asks, ‘When are you guys going to actually open up a Learning Center or a clinic so we can actually have some services inside?’ Well, today is that day.”

AST — part of the LEARN Behavioral company that serves families with autism nationwide — has more than 20 years of experience providing families across eight states with compassionate, contemporary, applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy.

“We’re all about contemporary ABA,” Whitfield added. “We do a lovely job of it. We’ve been doing it for years in the schools. And now it’s time to do it in the Center.”

An Autism Learning Center That Contributes to a Successful Community

The grand opening event featured an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, tours of the facility, opportunities to speak with the Long Beach leadership team, and sensory-friendly, carnival-themed activities for families.

“We’re so excited to be here celebrating this momentous occasion,” said Natalie Leighton, vice president of membership for the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Officials delivered praise and certificates of appreciation.

“We want to say thank you so much for opening up the space for the next generation of leaders,” said Sovanna Pouv, field representative for Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-District 33). “These are the young people that we all should put all of our resources into because they will be one of us one day in the future.”

Click here to find out more about the Long Beach Learning Center.

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Opens New Learning Center in Livonia, Michigan

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LIVONIA, MICHIGAN –  Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), one of the leading providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), announced the opening of its new Learning Center in Livonia, Michigan.  The new center will offer services for children ages 18 months to 8 years of age.  AST will continue to offer home-based services across the Detroit Metropolitan area including Wayne, McComb, and Oakland Counties. 

AST’s Clinical Director for the Metro-Detroit area, Scott McPhee, MA, BCBA, shared, “We are excited to be able to offer center-based services to children in Livonia and the surrounding communities.  Livonia’s motto of “Families First” resonates with our clinical philosophy at AST; our services are family-focused, our approach collaborative, and our treatment individualized. We are excited to bring our national resources to this vibrant community.”

About AST

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) is a leading provider of behavioral health treatment utilizing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). AST’s clinical philosophy is grounded in working collaboratively with families, insurers, and schools to deliver high-integrity, individualized treatment plans that use the latest science to guide interventions. AST provides ABA therapy in Michigan as part of the LEARN Provider Network, the leading autism treatment network serving 2,500 families across 9 states. Learn more at autismtherapies.com.

Wisconsin Early Autism Project Opens New Learning Center in Sun Prairie, WI

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We’re excited to announce we have expanded our reach in Wisconsin with the opening of a new Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) Learning Center in Sun Prairie this past April. This center represents our commitment to providing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) the resources and support they need to develop essential life skills in a nurturing, group environment. Our mission is to find success for every child with autism in our care by providing compassionate, contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to help them reach their potential.

The WEAP Learning Center in Sun Prairie offers a learning-rich environment that supports the unique needs of each child. Our center-based services are complemented by home and community-based services as well as social skills programming. We understand that every child has unique needs and interests, and we’re committed to providing tailored treatment that respects the varied needs, values, and cultures of every family we serve.

To celebrate the opening of our new Learning Center, we hosted an open house where the public and families were invited to tour our bright and airy new facility, speak with our leadership team, and participate in a range of fun, summer-themed activities. It was a festive occasion that brought the autism community in Sun Prairie and throughout Wisconsin together. The event was topped off with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was organized in collaboration with the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce.

We’re proud to have served children with autism for over 25 years and our dedication to serving the autism community is steadfast. Our commitment to the welfare of our clients has allowed us to be one of the leading providers of ABA therapy in Wisconsin and the country. We take enormous pride in providing positive outcomes for children and families and are committed to continuing to provide exceptional care to all those we serve.

If you’re interested in learning more about our services or finding a WEAP location near you, please visit our website. We look forward to serving the autism community in Sun Prairie and throughout Wisconsin in the years ahead.

“We are excited to offer center-based learning on the east side of Madison in Sun Prairie and the surrounding communities. Our new location has reduced the commute time for some families traveling to the west side center and created an opportunity for new families to access services.

Our staff and families love our fresh, new, bright center, which features large clinical spaces and group learning areas. Plus, kids can get lots of physical activity in our gym and outside at our playground. Many families have already taken advantage of our Saturday Squad program for weekend fun for their children. I encourage interested families to reach out to schedule a tour.” – Christine Laurent, Clinical Director

LEARN Behavioral Acquires Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP)

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BALTIMORE, MD and MILWAUKEE, WI: LEARN Behavioral, the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, announced today the acquisition of Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) further expanding its provider network in the Midwest.

Founded in 1995 by Dr. Glen Sallows and Dr. Tamlynn Graupner, WEAP has been a pioneering force in the treatment of autism in Wisconsin and across the world. In addition to being a NIMH approved replication site for the groundbreaking research by Dr. Ivar Lovaas, WEAP played a significant role in advocating for increased access to ABA treatment in Wisconsin. Drs. Sallows and Graupner, who will be retiring as a part of the transaction, commented, “We are so proud of what WEAP has become and are extremely excited about its future. In LEARN, we have found a partner whose national presence and clinical focus will help WEAP prosper while creating new opportunities for our clients and career growth for our employees.” Michael Maloney, LEARN’s CEO, continued, “We are excited to continue Drs. Sallows and Graupner’s legacy of excellence, and we thank them for their contributions to the field.”

WEAP’s Executive Director and 20  year veteran of the company Mary Smith , BCBA, further stated, “For more than 20 years, WEAP has been the premier ABA provider in the state of Wisconsin, and our partnership with LEARN will ensure that we will continue to be for the next 20 years.”

In combination with Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), LEARN now provides services in three midwestern states, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. Justin Funches, President of LEARN’s autism provider network said, “WEAP’s stellar clinical reputation, scale, and legacy of research are tremendous additions to the LEARN Provider Network. We are excited to work together with the WEAP executive leadership team to support more families in Wisconsin and across the rest of the Midwest.”

About Wisconsin Early Autism Project

Founded in 1995, WEAP is the leading provider of behavioral health treatment for young children with autism in Wisconsin.  Using the principles of Applied Behavior  Analysis, WEAP designs intensive treatment programs to form lasting and life-changing gains for its clients. In addition to ABA, WEAP also provides psychological assessments and counseling services.  WEAP has clinics in Madison, Milwaukee (Brookfield), Green Bay and Eau Claire and serve families throughout the state. www.wiautism.com

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN is the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs. LEARN specializes in behavioral health treatment based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and is committed to providing programs and services that are family-focused, community minded, and delivered with the highest clinical integrity. The LEARN team delivers more than 1.5 million hours of services annually and is comprised of more than 3,000 passionate professionals dedicated to nurturing every child’s personal best. www.learnbehavioral.com

LEARN Behavioral Acquires Play Connections of Beaverton, Oregon

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BALTIMORE, MD and PORTLAND, OR: LEARN Behavioral, the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, announced today the acquisition of Oregon based Play Connections Autism Services further expanding its provider network in the Pacific Northwest.

Founded by Melanie Kong-Shaw, MA, BCBA, LBA in 2008, Play Connections has been a pioneer in the growth of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment in Oregon.  According to Melanie, “Since its inception, Play Connections has been an advocate for access to high quality ABA services in the state of Oregon. Over the past 10 years we’ve trained dozens of behavior analysts and helped hundreds of families. Partnering with LEARN, begins the next chapter in Play Connection’s history and will allow us to expand our services to more families in the state.”

In combination with Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Seattle/Bellevue office, LEARN now provides ABA therapy services in Oregon and Washington. Justin Funches, President of LEARN’s autism provider network continued, “Melanie is an exceptional clinician that shares our commitment to professional development of staff and delivery of exceptional clinical services. Together we are excited to continue to support the Portland community and the greater Pacific Northwest.”

About Play Connections

Play Connections supports young learners with autism through a motivation-based intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program with a focus on Verbal Behavior strategies. The Play Connections Early Learner Program is specifically designed to give young children, ages 2-6, a jump start in acquiring meaningful communication and critical skills that provide a foundation for lifelong learning. The team of behavior analysts and behavior technicians at Play Connections believe in a close working relationship with parents and ongoing collaboration with all team members in order to ensure consistency and the best possible outcome for each child in the program. www.playconnections.com.

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN is the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs. LEARN specializes in behavioral health treatment based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and is committed to providing programs and services that are family-focused, community minded, and delivered with the highest clinical integrity. The LEARN team delivers more than 1.5 million hours of services annually and is comprised of more than 3,000 passionate professionals dedicated to nurturing every child’s personal best. www.learnbehavioral.com.

Priorities ABA Opens New Learning Center in Fayetteville, NC

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With over 20 years of experience providing compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy to children with autism, we’re delighted to share that we opened our first Priorities Learning Center this summer in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The new center held an open house that included an official ribbon-cutting with their local Chamber of Commerce and opportunities for families to tour the facility, speak with the leadership team, and participate in fun activities. This new North Carolina ABA therapy services location offers a supportive, learning-rich environment where children with autism can work on individual skills in a group setting.

We couldn’t be more excited to support more families in the communities we serve. To learn more about where our services are located, find a location.

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Opens 5 New Learning Centers

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With over 20 years of experience providing compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy to children with autism, we’re delighted to share that we opened five new AST Learning Centers this past summer and fall in Fresno and San Marcos, California; Goodyear, Arizona; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Clackamas, Oregon. Each new center held an open house that included an official ribbon-cutting with their local Chamber of Commerce and opportunities for families to tour the facility, speak with the leadership team, and participate in fun activities. These new locations offer a supportive, learning-rich environment where children with autism can work on individual skills in a group setting.  

We couldn’t be more excited to support more families in the communities we serve. To learn more about where our services are located, find a location.  

Perry Hall Autism Center: Comprehensive ABA in Maryland

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Trellis Services is proud to announce the opening of the Perry Hall Learning Center at its new Honeygo Boulevard location, where kids with autism can receive comprehensive and specialized ABA therapy services.

The Perry Hall Learning Center aims to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes learning, socialization, and independence. The center officially opened Oct. 19 with a ribbon cutting and open house.

“With the opening of our Perry Hall Learning Center, we hope to bring families here in the Baltimore County area compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder,” Trellis Clinical Director Anne McHugh said at the event. “The new facility allows us to provide one-to-one therapy in a group setting, where kids can work on skills, such as communication, activities of daily living, and socialization — while forming friendships.”

Trellis Services — a History of Excellence

Trellis Services is an ABA therapy provider that has been serving families in Maryland for more than 20 years. Trellis has Learning Centers in Hunt Valley and Forest Hill. This reopening of Perry Hall at its new location gave families a chance to tour the center, meet the leadership team, and hear remarks from area leaders.

The Perry Hall Learning Center not only brings essential services to the community for families affected by autism but also provides jobs to the local workforce. Trellis connects the community with resources that lead to empowerment and inclusivity.

Experience Excellence at Perry Hall Autism Learning Center

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is at the core of everything we do. At the Perry Hall Learning Center, we offer a full suite of ABA services. Those range from assessment and diagnostic evaluations to therapy in our Learning Centers or your home and community. We also offer occupational and speech therapy and family counseling, depending on your child’s needs.

Our Perry Hall Learning Center is located at 7939 Honeygo Boulevard, Suite 127, Nottingham, MD 21236. We serve families residing in surrounding cities, including Abingdon, Bel Air, Dundalk, Essex, Fallston, Middle River, Nottingham, Parkville, Perry Hall, Rosedale, and White Marsh.

While the Trellis team delivers ABA therapy services in Maryland, it’s also part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization known for its expertise in treating autism. They’re focused on the same mission: to help kids with autism and other developmental disabilities find success. Together, they’re committed to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and their families by delivering personalized services that address their unique needs and goals.

The Perry Hall Learning Center is not only a celebration Trellis’s history and growth but also a reaffirmation of LEARN’s mission. LEARN is proud to partner with The Perry Hall Learning Center and celebrate this important milestone. As they continue to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism and their families, we look forward to the great work they will do in the Perry Hall community and beyond.

Click the button below to learn more about our Perry Hall Learning Center.

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Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Opens New Learning Center in Covington, Lousiana

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COVINGTON, LOUISIANA –  Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), one of the leading providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the country, announced the opening of its new Learning Center in Covington, Lousiana.  The new center will offer services for children ages 18 months to 8 years of age on the Northshore.  AST will continue to offer home-based services across the Greater New Orleans including  parts of Ascension, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes.

AST’s Clinical Director for Louisiana, Dr. Rebecca Mandel-Blasia, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, shared, “We are excited to open our second center in Louisiana, and bring our services to the Northshore community. AST is committed to providing the highest-quality services to children with autism and their families.”

About AST

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) is a leading provider of behavioral health treatment utilizing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). AST’s clinical philosophy is grounded in working collaboratively with families, insurers, and schools to deliver high-integrity, individualized treatment plans that use the latest science to guide interventions. AST provides ABA therapy in Louisiana as part of the LEARN Provider Network, the leading autism treatment network serving 2,500 families across 9 states. autismtherapies.com.