TESTIMONIALS

Hi Jim: The website had added a wonderful interactive communication tool to our program. Our communication with parents has become much more efficient as a result of the site. Also, I'm looking forward to providing more detailed information about teaching various skills, managing problem behaviors, and behavior analysis discussion through the site. You and Matt have really help move our program forward by creating and managing the new website. Jay

This site has been wonderfully put together, and has not only been a linking device in bringing awareness of our program and autism to people everywhere, but has also provided a more formal means of communication with all involved with the clinic. Through this site, I have been able to send out new information to the parents and therapists late at night and on weekends, when I am doing most of my work. It has been a wonderful way to keep in touch with others in the autism community whom I do not see as often and sometimes lose touch with. This web site has also helped to promote many events going on, not just with the clinic, but in the autism community in general. It is very easy to navigate, and easy to learn. My favorite piece to the web site is the way that I am able to get out information, and fast, but also get responses and input from others. It is a great way to bounce ideas off of each other, especially when posting something in a group format. It is also a wonderful way for parents to informally have a chance to chat with others who live with autism on a daily basis. This web site has been a phenomenal addition to our clinic! Thanks, Jim!!! - SarahRussell

Marianne loves working with Drew. He lights up her life and that makes me very happy. Your children are beautiful. Helen Idol

Sammy
Sammy’s parents contacted ABA Academy in the fall of 2006 because they could not attend church together and their son was unable to focus for more than a few seconds at a time. One of the parents always ended up “on call” because Sammy could not stay in the Sunday school classroom. Where ever Sammy was, he was a whirlwind, diving under the table, constantly bumping into other kids and hitting and kicking the peers. He hated music and screamed and hid in the bathroom when it was music time. In November 2006, Sammy began attending ABA Academy a few hours a week. The first session was very difficult. His mom told me she cried when she met her husband afterwards. The realization of how much help Sammy needed was even more evident in the therapeutic surrounding. They were facing the fact that he probably wouldn’t go to kindergarten in the fall and they often found themselves exhausted. He screamed and cried when numbers or letters were talked about and he could not sit still or listen to the teachers. He refused to hold anything with which to write. A family history of autism and institutionalization was looming in their minds and hearts. We identified that Sammy could not listen to a simple sentence and then answer any questions about it, even though he had good expressive language skills. Sammy attended therapy 3 times a week including both individual and group sessions. He made consistent progress in the structured environment at ABA Academy and by the following summer was ready to begin kindergarten in a charter school where his brother attended. He had learned all his letter sounds and names, could count and recognize numbers to 20 and knew a few sight words. He had also begun to blend sounds to make words and could write all of his letters and numbers. The biggest change for Sammy and his family has been his behavior. His kindergarten teacher says he is one of the brightest, most verbal and politest kids in the class! His parents are now able to work in the ESL ministry in their church because Sammy can now stay in the kids classes without hurting others. His parents often hear compliments for Sammy’s manners. He completed kindergarten in May of 2008. Congratulations to Sammy and his family for working together to learn new techniques to help him learn.

Lianne Macenauer has added you as a friend on Autism Spotlight - Putting the Pieces TOGETHER This is much better than facebook.
Dana Hepler
This is fabulous...I sent this to a bunch of friends and colleagues I know. Thank you for sharing! I hope everything works out with your son. I support the use of ABA, I have never seen any other program yield such great results. You and your family stay strong, it can be a lot of work.. you will be rewarded. Take care, Dana

I truly love this web site because it provides so many resources that help me meet my goals. I must thank you for bringing all these wonderful families and educators together, together only amazing things can happen!!!
Sincerely, Elena