LEARN Behavioral Part of $4.7 Million Grant to Study Autism Intervention

Updated On August 24, 2023

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Baltimore, MD — LEARN Behavioral is part of a multimillion-dollar grant to study autism intervention.

The National Institutes of Mental Health awarded the $4.7 million, five-year grant to researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders). LEARN was one of two ABA providers selected to help MIND Institute researchers study 300 children who receive therapy.

Researchers will test the effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) of treatment. ESDM is designed for children between the ages of 1 and 4. The innovative model teaches communication and play skills through everyday activities.

“This partnership will help us disseminate best practices amongst clinicians in our field, improve outcomes for kids, and enhance caregiver support and training,” says Jocelyn Thompson, LCSW, BCBA, Vice President of Clinical Services at LEARN Behavioral. “We hope it leads to the best care possible for those with autism and their families.”

The ESDM approach is different from other interventions. It is based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) and child development science. Instead of using traditional structured teaching techniques, ESDM focuses on meaningful interactions. These interactions are based on what the child is interested in. ESDM helps children learn and grow by making interventions feel like natural play.

The study will train behavior analysts in the ESDM approach. These analysts will then train behavior technicians in community agencies. The researchers will create videos called “micro-learnings” to help therapists learn best practices.

The MIND Institute team will train for three months. After that, they will have monthly meetings with agency supervisors. During the study, MIND researchers will observe the ESDM approach and make sure it’s done correctly. The study will record one session per month for each of the 300 children. Researchers will track their progress over a six-month period.

LEARN Behavioral and its partner agencies are committed to providing culturally sensitive care. The training will be available in English and Spanish. LEARN Behavioral aims to offer top intervention services for families with autism.

For more information about LEARN Behavioral and its start in the autism community, click here.

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About LEARN Behavioral:

LEARN Behavioral is a leading collective group of ABA providers that nurtures the unique potential in children, teens, and young adults with autism and other disabilities. We provide tailored treatment programs based on contemporary, family-focused applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. We’re collaborative and innovative, making a positive impact on people’s lives. For more information, visit their services page here.

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Opens New Learning Center in San Gabriel, CA

Updated On July 6, 2023

This past May, Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) relocated and opened a new Learning Center in San Gabriel, California, offering compassionate contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism in a center-based environment. Since 2001, AST has served the greater Los Angeles and San Gabriel communities through early intervention and ABA therapy in home-based settings and in partnership with schools.

The new San Gabriel Learning Center gives families who cannot access services in the home an option for their child to receive therapy in a safe, supportive, and learning-rich atmosphere. AST’s center-based services help children with autism learn the necessary skills to develop confidence and build friendships in a social setting. The San Gabriel Learning Center is currently enrolling preschool-aged children for daytime ABA services.

The Learning Center also offers seasonal social skills programs where children can participate in serious fun and serious learning alongside their peers. This July, the San Gabriel Learning Center will run it’s annual “Around the World Camp,” where students take a journey “around the world” with peers while enjoying arts and crafts featuring animals, flags, food, landmarks, maps, and more. Social skills programs give each child one-to-one support in a group setting while working on socialization, communication, and other skills that assist with growth and learning.

To celebrate the opening of our new Learning Center, we hosted an open house where the public and families were invited to visit our new facility, speak with our leadership team, and participate in a range of fun, carnival-themed activities. It was an enjoyable occasion that brought together the local autism community in San Gabriel and southern California. The event also featured an official ribbon-cutting ceremony presented by the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce. Frank F. Lu, Field Deputy/AAPI Liaison, was also in attendance on behalf of Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L Solis’ office. We could not be more thankful for the warm welcome and support from the local business community and city officials. Our southern California team looks forward to serving the greater San Gabriel community for many years to come and is honored to nurture the unique potential in children with autism.

AST has proudly served families throughout California for 20 years and counting. We understand that every child has individual needs and interests, and we’re committed to providing tailored treatment that respects the unique needs, values, and cultures of every family we’re fortunate to help. Providing exceptional care and bringing positive outcomes for all children and families we serve is at the core of what we do at AST. We are steadfast in our mission of finding success for every child in our care through compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy.

AST offers ABA therapy in its Learning Centers, client homes, and school-based settings, as well as social skills, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and diagnostic services in various locations across eight states from California to Louisiana.

To learn more about our services or find an AST location near you, please visit our website.

Total Spectrum Opens New Learning Center in Portage, MI

Updated On April 18, 2023

We’re proud to announce the expansion of our services in Michigan with the opening of a new Total Spectrum Learning Center in Portage this past March. This center is a testament to our commitment to providing children with autism the resources and support they need to develop essential life skills in a nurturing, group environment. Our mission is to empower children with autism and other special needs to achieve success in school and life, and we’re dedicated to providing contemporary and compassionate applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to help them achieve their goals.

The Total Spectrum Learning Center in Portage is designed to offer a learning-rich atmosphere that caters to the unique needs of each child. Our center-based services are complemented by home and community-based services that offer flexible scheduling options. We understand that every child has individualized needs and aspirations, and we’re committed to providing a comprehensive range of services that cater to those needs.

To celebrate the opening of our new facility, we hosted an open house where families were invited to tour our state-of-the-art facility, engage with our leadership team, and participate in a range of fun, spring-themed activities. It was a joyous occasion that brought the autism community in Portage and throughout Michigan together. The event was topped off with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was organized in collaboration with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber of Commerce.

Our dedication to serving the autism community is unwavering, and we’re proud to have served children with autism for over a decade. Our commitment to the well-being of our clients has allowed us to emerge as one of the leading providers of ABA therapy in the country. We take immense pride in our work and are committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of care to our clients.

If you’re interested in learning more about our services or finding a Total Spectrum location near you, please visit our website. We look forward to continuing to serve the autism community in Portage, throughout Michigan, and across the Midwest.

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Opens New Learning Center in Chandler, AZ

Updated On March 30, 2023

We’re thrilled to announce our Arizona services expanded this March, as we opened a new AST Learning Center in Chandler. This newest center, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities, held an open house where families were invited to tour the facility, converse with our leadership team, and take part in a range of fun, spring-themed activities. The event was topped off with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was organized in collaboration with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

At AST, we’re committed to providing children with autism the support and resources they need to develop essential life skills in a nurturing, group environment. Our latest facility in Chandler is no exception. The center is designed to offer a learning-rich atmosphere that caters to the unique needs of every child. Our comprehensive range of center-based services is complemented by home and community-based services that offer flexible scheduling options.

We take immense pride in serving the autism community in Chandler, throughout Arizona, and across our seven other states. Our mission is to empower children with autism and other special needs to achieve success in school and life. We understand that every child has individualized needs and aspirations, and we’re committed to providing compassionate and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to help them achieve their goals.

We’re honored to have served children with autism for over two decades. Our unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our clients has allowed us to emerge as one of the leading providers of ABA therapy in the country. If you want to learn more about our services or find an AST location near you, click here.

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) Opens New Learning Center in Bakersfield, CA

Updated On February 27, 2023

With over 20 years of experience providing compassionate, contemporary ABA Therapy to children with autism, we’re delighted to share that we opened a new AST Learning Center this December in Bakersfield, CA. 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 location offers a supportive, learning-rich environment where children with autism can work on individual skills in a group setting.