Recent study by CDC says autism spectrum disorders are underdiagnosed in Utah
GRANTSVILLE, Utah; Dec. 14, 2023 – ABS Kids, a leading provider of services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), announced the opening of its new applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy center in Grantsville, Utah, serving children and families across the Tooele area. With four additional center openings in 2023 — St. George, Taylorsville, Bountiful and American Fork — ABS Kids now has 12 Utah locations, providing additional critical center-based therapy options within driving distance for many more Utah families.
The prevalence of ASD diagnoses in children in Utah illustrates the need for these kinds of services in the state. A report published this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 1 in 40 8-year-olds in Utah were diagnosed with ASD, and that ASD was underdiagnosed in young children in Utah. ABS Kids provides early development diagnosis services, with relatively short wait times, for children 8 and younger.
“Because of the significant need for autism and therapy services and ASD diagnoses, we have made Utah a priority area when it comes to building our therapy centers and providing access to this kind of care for families,” ABS Kids Utah Regional Vice President Maren Jacobson, M.Ed., BCBA, said. “These therapy centers, including the newest in Grantsville, are designed to provide a safe and structured environment for personalized care. This kind of therapy offers unique and critical development opportunities for children with ASD in this area.”
Since 2011, ABS Kids has provided children and their families with personalized ABA therapy and care in centers, at home, in schools and groups as well as autism diagnosis services. ABS Kids also organizes group experiences for local autism communities to bring children and families together for hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Local centers regularly host community events, including a Quiet Santa Sensory-Friendly event on Dec. 12. They also partner with local organizations across Utah, including the St. George Children’s Museum for monthly sensory friendly evenings.
For more information, ABS Kids has a variety of helpful resources about autism, ABA therapy and the basics of getting a personal assessment and care. For location details, contact information and center hours, visit: https://www.abskids.com/locations/.
