Alternative Behavior Strategies (ABS), a leading provider of services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, announced today the grand opening of its new Charlotte Therapy Center, to be held this Thursday, November 7. The nearly 5,000 square-foot center offers full-day therapy programs that provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism. It has the capacity to provide center-based services for 75 children per day.
Center-based ABA therapy provides parents the opportunity to drop their child off to receive services. ABA therapy programs are customized to each child but are likely to be highly intensive (30-40 hours per week) for young children. Having more options when receiving care is vital for having families on board with receiving the prescribed number of hours. Receiving the number of ABA Therapy hours a child is prescribed offers the child a greater opportunity to progress. Receiving center-based services provides a learning space specially designed for children with developmental delays like Autism Spectrum Disorder. It offers more opportunities for socialization and generalization which lead to better outcomes.
“This is the second ABS ABA therapy center in North Carolina,” said Jeff Skibitsky, MA, BCBA, LBA, president of ABS. “What excites us the most about this facility is that it gives us greater capacity to support and treat a larger number of children with autism. ABA therapy is an intense treatment that can require as much as 40 hours of therapy per week in order for the child to receive the maximum benefit. With our center-based treatment, children will be able to have their prescribed number of treatment hours and appropriate level of intensive therapy with minimal family disruption.”
Designed to help prepare children with autism to access group learning and social environments, the center helps the children practice transitions, engage in small and large group activities, follow group instruction and participate in cooperative play with peers. The new ABS therapy center also provides access to a large motor development area, two instructional classrooms and an open work space that is ideal for learners preparing to transition into a traditional school setting. Each child will be supported by a technician assigned to provide one-on-one support to optimize the learning experience. Learning in a group environment that caters to the needs of children with autism potentially gives them a head start before going into a preschool or kindergarten.
“The opening of this new center is a big step forward in helping families and children with autism in the community,” said Mellanie Page, Regional Director. “Now parents can bring their children to the Center for therapy all day while they work. It has been clinically proven that early intervention helps children with autism reach their greatest potential, and this new ABA center is ready to provide top quality care for those children under six years of age who have been prescribed intensive ABA therapy.”
ABS provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the most frequently recommended—and clinically proven—treatment to help children with autism. ABS utilizes a collaborative care model which blends the expertise of a united team of professionals that implements a dynamic care plan designed to help each child meet his or her full potential. This team-based approach provides a comprehensive treatment for the benefit of the child that ensures the child’s individual needs are met.
The collaborative model of care provides the best opportunity to empower the child to become more independent as he or she grows and accomplishes his or her goals. As the child becomes increasingly independent, services and support are adjusted and reduced over time.
The new Charlotte Therapy Center will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Members of the community are invited to attend the festivities, tour the facility and ask questions of the ABS staff.
The center is located at 3000 Latrobe Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211; phone number (704) 780-4271. It will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
About Alternative Behavior Strategies
Alternative Behavior Strategies (ABS) is dedicated to providing services to children with developmental delays and their families. The company provides wrap-around care enabling children and their families to obtain the services they need in one place. Services include applied behavior analysis (ABA), and speech therapy and occupational therapy designed to complement ABA services, as well as diagnostic evaluations and social skills groups. ABS operates in California, Utah and North Carolina. ABS is designated as a Top Behavioral Service Provider by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. For more information: https://www.abskids.com
