ABA therapy, a scientific data-based approach, helps children with autism learn new skills, master existing ones and reduce maladaptive behaviors, such as tantrums. It covers fundamental capabilities like following instructions, language and communication, motor skills and emotional self-management.
Tammy Cline-Soza, founder and CEO of The Behavior Exchange, said the earlier children with autism can start therapy, the better.
“Children can be diagnosed with autism as early as two years old, but often they are not diagnosed until they are school aged,” Cline-Soza said. “Those precious years are a critical time of development. We are trying to reach children as young as possible so that they’re immersed in enriched learning and language environments during specialized therapy sessions.”
The Behavior Exchange is administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule™, second edition (ADOS®-2) assessment this summer to help more children get access to care sooner. The ADOS-2 assessment is an observation and play-based assessment that screens for autism.
“Our goal is to create a seamless transition from assessment to intervention to expedite treatment onset,” Cline-Soza said. “ABA is an intensive intervention that insurance will typically cover if a child has an autism diagnosis. We can assist in that assessment process. That’s important because you must get a diagnosis to get insurance coverage for therapy.”
Cline-Soza said that other professionals who are able to diagnose, such as developmental pediatricians, neurologists and psychologists, often have long waitlists, delaying care at a critical stage of development.
According to The Behavior Exchange, there are three reasons why early intervention is so vital for children with autism:
- Improved developmental outcomes: Research consistently demonstrates that children who receive early intervention services are more likely to achieve developmental milestones and acquire better communication skills. Additionally, early intervention can mitigate the severity of autism symptoms, facilitating better long-term outcomes for these children.
- Capitalizing on neuroplasticity: The early years of a child’s life are characterized by heightened neuroplasticity, which means the ability of the nervous system to change its activity. This makes it the optimal time for learning and skill development. Early intervention takes advantage of this critical period, providing intensive support and interventions that can positively shape a child’s brain development.
- Enhancing future potential: Initiating ABA therapy at an early age significantly increases a child’s chances of making substantial progress and reaching their full potential. By equipping them with essential skills and strategies, early intervention sets a solid foundation for future learning and independence.
“Starting therapy early can be a relief for parents who also can learn tools that promote consistency in parenting and can relieve parental stress,” Cline-Soza said. “We do group and individual parent training sessions that help equip families with how to engage their child, create and reinforce learning opportunities, and to manage any behavioral issues by teaching new skills.”
Children can come to The Behavior Exchange before starting preschool, in lieu of preschool, or while attending preschool. Cline-Soza said there is a mandate that excuses students from school for therapy if they have a diagnosis once they start kindergarten so they can still receive the specialized treatment that will help them be successful across environments.
“The more intensive therapy is, the greater the results are going to be,” she said.
The Behavior Exchange embeds preschool and early education activities along with a proprietary curriculum to offer one-on-one, intensive and interactive therapy where children also have opportunities for group therapy.
Many children at The Behavior Exchange benefit from a small group environment called The Behavior Exchange Early Start (B.E.E.S.) program designed to be like a neurotypical preschool.
Children enrolled in B.E.E.S. participate in a comprehensive range of activities that foster the development of motor skills, fine motor skills, literacy, science, language and social skills, while also offering opportunities for creativity through arts and crafts, music, movement and collaborative interaction in large group activities.
Most children who come to The Behavior Exchange start with one-on-one therapy and begin having group therapy sessions when they have the essential prerequisites ready to learn in a group with peers, Cline-Soza said.
“Time is precious,” she said. “The sooner a child begins, the faster they learn those essential skills that will benefit them across environments, skills and situations.”
The Behavior Exchange has locations in Plano, Frisco, and Prosper, as well as the Boulder, Colorado area. To schedule an ADOS-2 assessment or to enroll a child in the B.E.E.S. program, or learn more about The Behavior Exchange, visit www.behaviorexchange.com.
The above story was produced by Mary Katherine Shapiro, a member of Community Impact's Storytelling team, with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team. Our integrity promise to our readers is to clearly identify all CI Storytelling posts so they are separate from the content decided upon, researched and written by our journalism department.
