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Advancing Autism Services: Our Commitment to Public Policy

Written by Dr. Ashley Williams, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D, Vice President

National Social Justice Day is a time to reflect on the progress made in creating a more equitable and inclusive society. At LEARN Behavioral, this commitment goes beyond the confines of our therapy rooms; it extends into the heart of public policy advocacy. Our dedication to social justice is evident through our active involvement in various organizations and our continuous efforts to champion policies that support the autism community.

1. Advocating for Autism Services Nationwide

LEARN Behavioral is proud to be an active member of the Council for Autism Service Providers (CASP). Our leadership team actively participates as CASP Special Advocacy Group Leaders in 11 states where LEARN Behavioral operates. This engagement allows us to contribute firsthand to the shaping of policies that impact individuals with autism and their families. Additionally, our membership in the National Coalition for Access to Autism Services (NCAAS) underscores our commitment to addressing state and federal barriers to autism services. By collaborating with like-minded organizations, we strive to create a unified voice advocating for positive change on a broader scale.

2. Advancing Autism Equity Through State Organizations

At LEARN Behavioral, we understand the importance of grassroots efforts in promoting social justice. Our active involvement in local trade and professional organizations, including CalABA, BABAT, WAPA, ORABA, MAC, MIBAP, reflects our dedication to the larger behavior analytic community. Through volunteering and membership in these organizations, we aim to contribute to the development of equitable services for the diverse communities we serve. We believe that fostering connections within the behavioral community is crucial to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

3. Leading National Advocacy Efforts for Autism Policy Reform

LEARN Behavioral is fortunate to have resident experts in public policy who actively contribute to the
advancement of the autism community. LEARN leaders have published peer-reviewed journal articles on
public policy, presented at local and national conferences, and provided numerous testimonies
advocating for access to care. Our chief clinical officer, Dr. Hanna Rue, is a beacon of leadership in this
regard. Her participation in NCAAS’s “day on the hill” in Washington, D.C., exemplifies our commitment
to effecting change at the highest levels. By engaging with House and Senate offices, we strive to
influence initiatives that positively impact the autism community on a national scale.

4. LEARN Advocacy Network

The LEARN Advocacy Network, led by Dr. Rebecca Thompson, is a vital part of LEARN Behavioral’s public policy efforts, providing a monthly meeting ground for leaders from each state. Driving our advocacy initiatives, this collaborative team engages in meaningful discussions, sharing insights, and staying abreast of the latest developments in public policy. The network serves as a platform where LEARN Behavioral leaders exchange information, ensuring a well-coordinated and informed approach to navigating the complex landscape of policy initiatives.

As we observe National Social Justice Day, it is imperative to recognize the multifaceted approach LEARN Behavioral takes to contribute to a more just and equitable society. Through active participation in national and state organizations, as well as championing public policy initiatives, we are dedicated to making a lasting impact. Our commitment to social justice extends beyond our therapeutic interventions, reflecting our belief in the power of advocacy and policy to create positive change for individuals with autism and their families.

Total Spectrum Opens New Learning Center in Portage, MI

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

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.

5 Tips for Navigating Autism Treatment for Your Multilingual Child

Maia Jackson, M.S., BCBA
Clinical Development Manager, LEARN Behavioral

Language development is a critical component of the day-to-day lives of young children. It is used within a variety of contexts, including playing with peers, building relationships, functionally communicating needs, etc. As such, there is a heavy emphasis on language and communication built into most applied behavior analytic (ABA) programs. Because such a heavy emphasis is placed on language, it is important that practitioners are mindful of the specific language or languages that are incorporated in the therapeutic setting. In order for ABA programs to be socially significant, services should represent and accommodate for the dominant language of the family. By doing so, children and their families will experience a variety of benefits.

By promoting the use of the family’s native language, children have an increased likelihood of communication opportunities with their immediate and extended families, friends, and community. In addition to having more opportunities to communicate, the quality of the interactions will be more meaningful as caregivers are more likely to effectively express their own emotions, hold their child’s attention, and more thoroughly discuss topics of interest when using their native language (Zhou, et al., 2019). There are also benefits to multilingualism outside of the familial unit. Research has shown that children who are raised in multilingual homes tend to demonstrate higher perspective talking skills than children who do not (Zhou, et al., 2019). Despite all of the benefits to speaking one’s native language, families often face a number of barriers, especially when seeking out autism-related services.

While we live in a culturally diverse country, English remains the dominant language in most regions of the U.S. When children turn on the TV, chances are the shows they watch are in English. When they go to school, they will receive a primarily English education and their peers will speak primarily English. Autistic individuals who receive behavior analytic treatment in the U.S. are likely receiving those services in English. Despite all of these barriers, there are ways for parents and caregivers to advocate for their bilingual children and family.

1. Look for providers who speak your native language

One of the first measures to take when selecting a service provider is to request clinicians who speak your native language. Bilingual service providers can be hard to find and it may take time, but let your provider know your preference so they can attempt to hire and/or pair you with appropriate staff members.

2. Request translation services.

In cases where there are no staff members available to provide services in your native language, consider asking for translation services. Even if you are proficient in English, it may be easier or feel more comfortable for you to communicate in your native language. Per the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, the clinician you are working with should make every effort to effectively communicate with you and provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and participate in the development and implementation of your child’s program.

3. Consider the assessment language.

If your child speaks a language other than English, it is important to discuss the benefits of your child being assessed in that language. Providers use assessment results as a tool to guide the clinical program and decision making. Having the results of the assessment in your child’s primary or dominant languages will give a more accurate picture of your child’s strengths and areas of need. The starting point of the program will be more representative of your child’s language abilities.


4. Ensure the program is visually representative of your child and your family.

Visual tools and stimuli are often used as prompts, supports, and/or reinforcement systems within many ABA programs. These visual supports may serve to outline a schedule for the day, visuals might accompany a short narrative or story describing a social scenario your child might encounter, or you might see visual images used as reminders or prompts of what steps come next in routine with multiple steps, such as hand washing.  These visual items should be representative of your child and your family. Discuss incorporating your native language and culture into these items in order to promote their use and acceptance by your child. If your child accepts the stimuli and is motivated to use them, effectiveness of their intended purpose will likely increase. 

5. Discuss your language and other cultural values with your team.

Per the Ethical Code for Behavior Analysts, your cultural norms, traditions, and expectations should be extended through all aspects of the ABA program. Social interactions, communication, play activities, and activities of daily living are areas that are addressed in many ABA programs and are going to be affected by language, culture, and traditions. Discussing the ways your language and culture impact your day-to-day routines and expectations will help the clinical team develop and implement a program that is best suited to your child and your family.  

Serving as the navigator and advocator of your child’s services is a huge role. Advocating for language will often be just as important as advocating for hours, goals, or other supports.  Use your team to provide support and to feel empowered to be the advocate your child and your family need.

Supports at LEARN:

  • Document translation services
  • Translation services
  • Language Resource Library
  • Staff training and tools related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Zhou, A., Munson, J.A., Greenson, J., Jou, Y., Rogers, S., Estes A.M. (2019). An exploratory longitudinal study of social language outcomes in children with autism in bilingual home environments. Autism, 23(2), 394-304.

Enriching Life Experiences for Young Autistic Adults

Heather Tarczan, Executive Director of Urban Autism Solutions joins us to talk about how their program is working to build opportunity and community for young adults in Chicago. Every year, thousands of teens with autism age out of high school. For the majority of these young adults, this is the end of their autism-based services and support. Urban Autism Solutions provides a multitude of social and vocational opportunities for individuals through innovative, community-based programs including a Transition Academy and 1.2-acre Growing Solutions Farm.

 

For more information:

https://www.urbanautismsolutions.com/

https://www.facebook.com/UrbanAutismSolutions/

https://www.instagram.com/urbanautismsolutions/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-autism-solutions/

 

Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact

Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

TSC: A Rare Genetic Disease with a 50% Autism Diagnosis

Kari Luther Rosbeck, President & CEO, TSC Alliance, and Steven L. Roberds, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, TSC Alliance join us for a discussion about Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSCA) a rare genetic disorder. This is an incredibly educational conversation on how this disease is identified and treated.  About 50% of those diagnosed with TSC, will also have a diagnosis of autism. Even if your child is not at risk for TSC, the thoughtful approach to treatment and resources can be valuable for all parents. As Kari shared, “When people are ready, they need to know; what are the  right questions to ask, what about genetic testing, what about medication, and how does that whole system work?”

 

Learn more about TSC Alliance by visiting tscalliance.org

Interested in ABA therapy for your child? Contact us https://lrnbvr.com/contact

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com)

Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Debra Moore – Navigating Autism

Dr. Temple Grandin returns to the podcast to discuss her latest book, Navigating Autism, which is a collaboration with psychologist Debra Moore, who has done extensive work with children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. This episode highlights Dr. Grandin’s powerful personal insights and wisdom with practical support and help from Dr. Moore. In this lively conversation, Drs. Grandin and Moore delve into a number of topics, from how to teach your child basic skills to what you can do to identify and stretch your child’s strengths and interests. The authors also share their belief that many educators, parents, and caregivers underestimate their kids, and they offer advice on what parents can do to help their child reach their highest potential. 

Interested in ABA services for your child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact

Interested in a career in the ABA field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Addressing the Cultural Needs of Families with Autism

Corina Jimenez-Gomez, faculty at Auburn University, and Lauren Beaulieu a behavior analyst for 20 years join us to discuss the importance of culturally responsive services in ABA. Along with their extensive work educating others in this area, they each bring their personal experiences to this important conversation. Corina is a mother and Venezuelan native now living in Alabama. Lauren also shares insights she has gained from her marriage to an Italian immigrant. There is so much rich information about how professionals can take responsibility and action to better serve families. One bit of advice offered to those just beginning their careers was, “Do a self-assessment and then get the training and focus on those soft skills that we tend to ignore in masters programs. Focus on relationship building. You may have to step outside your program to get that.”

Training: https://institute.centralreach.com/pages/cultural-competency-in-applied-behavior-analysis

Interested in ABA Services for you child? Contact Us: https://lrnbvr.com/contact

Interested in a Career in the ABA Field? Apply Now: https://lrnbvr.com/apply-now

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Female Life on the Spectrum – Insights from Jennifer Cook

Jennifer Cook was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of 35 and is raising three children on the spectrum. She is the author of seven bestselling, award-winning books. This lively conversation had our host, Katherine Johnson laughing and crying. Jennifer provides perspective on why diagnosis has been widely missed in girls and women and promotes her philosophy of helping others, “Move from feeling like a mistake to feeling like a miracle”.

 

For More Information:

https://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com/

https://www.sanctuary-magazine.com/autism-in-heels.html

https://www.nowyoubelong.com/welcome

 

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).