The Behavior Exchange has over 20 years of experience working with children that have autism spectrum disorders, behavioral developmental concerns and other special needs that could be keeping them from reaching their full potential.

Community Impact sat down with founder and CEO Tammy Cline-Soza to discuss The Behavior Exchange and how the business helps children with autism.

What is a general overview of The Behavior Exchange for those who are unfamiliar?

Cline-Soza: The Behavior Exchange was founded in Plano over 20 years ago. I was introduced to Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy while working with a family that had a child with autism during my undergraduate studies in the University of North Texas ABA program. ABA therapy was an emerging practice at the time, and I saw the life changing impact and the urgent need for autism services in North Texas. This experience ignited my passion and led me to start what is now The Behavior Exchange.

Today, The Behavior Exchange has four locations with centers called “hives” in Plano, Frisco and Prosper as well as in Superior, Colorado. The Behavior Exchange serves hundreds of families each year, providing a second home for their clients and expert staff—some of the most dedicated and compassionate people you’ll ever meet. With the support of their beloved mascots, Buddy Bee in Texas and Watson Bear in Colorado, they bring hope and fun to each hive daily. The Behavior Exchange has earned the highest level of accreditation from the international accrediting body for ABA service organizations, Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. They proudly hold the prestigious three-year accreditation. The Behavior Exchange was the first ABA therapy provider in North Texas to achieve this designation and remains one of only a few in all of Colorado.

The rates of autism and the need for ABA therapy services continue to increase exponentially. The main goal of ABA therapy is to improve behavior and skills in many areas such as instruction following, reading, language and communication, sibling relationships, age-appropriate play, social interactions, motor skills and self-help skills. The goal is for the child to become independent and open the door for them to have the brightest future possible.

What services does the business provide?

Cline-Soza: The Behavior Exchange provides ABA therapy for children with autism and other special needs ages two to twelve. ABA therapy is the gold-standard in autism care and is covered by most major insurance providers, which allows families to get access to the care they need.

At The Behavior Exchange, we provide full-service ABA therapy, which includes individualized One-on-One Therapy, B.E.E.S. (Behavior Exchange Early Start program for preschoolers), Social Skills Groups for school-aged kids and Parent Training. Each child is assessed by a masters-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, who then creates a therapy plan based on their individual needs and goals which is then implemented by an expert team of Registered Behavior Technicians.

What are social skills and how does The Behavior Exchange help with them?

Cline-Soza: Social skills are essential for effective communication, interaction and relationship building. Some of the competencies include maintaining eye contact and engaging in turn-taking during conversations, developing and maintaining friendships, interpreting body language and recognizing social cues. While many individuals naturally develop these skills, children with autism often require specialized support to acquire and refine them. ABA therapy is instrumental in providing this essential support.

The Behavior Exchange offers ABA therapy, in both one-to-one and group settings, designed to enhance social skills for children with autism.

The approach involves structured sessions that emphasize teaching and reinforcing positive social interactions. Through a combination of structured activities, play-based learning and practical naturalistic scenarios, the therapy sessions aim to build confidence and improve a child's ability to connect with peers across various social situations. Each child’s sessions receives guidance from their BCBA and highly-skilled team of RBTs, ensuring that their needs are met effectively and individual goals are achieved

What are the benefits of social skills for children with autism?

Cline-Soza: ABA therapy that focuses on social skills provides a range of benefits, including enhanced communication and peer interactions, improved performance in social and academic settings, increased independence and reduced unwanted behaviors that impede learning and development.

The Behavior Exchange’s specialized programs are designed to support children in achieving success both in educational settings and broader social environments. Depending on the age of the child, the assessment results and each child’s unique needs, therapy may range from a few hours per week to a more intensive weekly schedule up to 40 hours, all tailored to prepare children for a successful and fulfilling future.

To learn more about The Behavior Exchange, visit the website or call 972-312-8733.

The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.