C.A.B.S. Autism: Inspiring Motivation-Led Growth
C.A.B.S. Autism: Inspiring Motivation-Led Growth
The World Health Organization reports an estimated one in every 160 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), though that number has the potential to be higher. Currently, the prevalence of ASD in low- and middle-income countries remains unknown.
However, what we do know is that ASD presents itself in a myriad of ways, and that presentation varies tremendously from one individual to another. This diversity – or spectrum – makes every case unique. That’s Why CABS Autism and Behavioral Specialists provide individualized consultations and therapy services, whether it’s from home, at school, in a clinical setting, or even a community environment.
CABS uses Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, in their one-on-one therapy sessions with their clients. In these sessions, they tune into what motivates the individual they’re working with to inspire engagement. By focusing on their client’s interests, they encourage communication and enriching interaction.
“Our approach is very child-led by their motivation,” said CABS’ Outreach and Development Coordinator Wendy Craven. “It’s not what we plan and set to do for the day necessarily. We identify what’s motivating them, and we go with that.”
CABS’ programs serve ASD clients ranging from the age of two to 26. While they create individualized goals catered to each individual, all treatment plans focus on creating a long-term quality of life while fostering a love for learning.
Led by a director who is a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), CABs prides itself on its strong foundation of qualifications and training. Each of their BCBAs possess an average of six years’ experience, and nearly half (43%) of their Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) are pursuing either their Master’s Degree or BCBA certification. That high level of talent is matched by its empathy and compassion.
“I always hear the staff supporting each other, helping each other or sharing ideas,” Craven said. “I hear the kids laughing and having fun. Nine times out of 10, our therapists typically will say the rewarding part of their jobs is who we work with. Seeing them learn and grow.”
CABs has locations and services available in Itasca, Illinois as well as two Georgia cities: Savannah and Rome.
ReAbility and the Necessity for Autism Resources Like CABS
CABs offers significant resources to those within the radius of their Illinois and Georgia locations. However, a medical study published in 2019 revealed sparse and uneven distribution of diagnostic resources for ASD within the U.S. The consequences of this leave many in need of services like CABS on lengthy waitlists or forces them to travel long distances to access the resources they need.
This challenge was brought to Dreamscape Foundation’s attention by Chris Myers, who is a parent of an autistic child. Together with him, we helped to create ReAbility, a search engine for individuals with disabilities that helps identify nearby resources, programs, and events based on their specific needs. While its reach is currently restricted to Tennessee, Dreamscape and Myers both aim to grow the website through partnerships with organizations like CABS in order to expand its usability across the U.S.
« PreviousNext »Friends Life Community: Promoting Self-Advocacy and Independence Within the Disabled Community
Friends Life Community: Promoting Self-Advocacy and Independence Within the Disabled Community
The word friend is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a favored companion” or “one attached to another by affection or esteem”. True to its meaning, Friends Life Community (FLC) aims to create a place of belonging for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its broad services provide teens (16+) and adults a safe haven to grow personally, develop socially, and establish a sense of community.
FLC’s Taylor Wigginton (Client and Family Experience Coordinator) and Olivia Moore (Program Director) are passionate about their cause and the programs they offer to help the disabled community, including those that promote life skills, advocacy through the arts, and service learning and employment.
“We provide opportunities for the friends to really shine and be in the spotlight, and to be seen for who they really are,” Moore said. “Diversity has become a really big topic of discussion, which is amazing. Still, those with disabilities are often left out of that conversation.”
FLC originated in 2007 with four families and friends, all of which are still heavily involved in its programs to this day. The organization began in a church basement before expanding to a larger location based in Granny White Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. There, they refer to their program participants as “friends”. The term makes it easier for both clients and staff to get along with as it retains the dignity of each member.
“It keeps everyone kind of on the same level,” Wigginton explained. “Often people want to refer to our friends as students or kids or anything less than an adult. [The term “friend” allows us to] make sure that we’re talking about them as an adult, and not anything less than that.”
During the pandemic, FLC managed to transition their programs to an online setting. These online programs enabled them to expand their reach beyond their local environment and across the country. As a result, they doubled their friends served from 40 to 96 since March 2020.
FLC provides both day and evening programs. The day program is the largest of the two. Although they are held Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, the schedule is very flexible. Friends are welcome to join the program at whatever time works best for them. One of their biggest day programs is called Advocacy Through the Arts.
“Our Advocacy Through the Arts program involves the performing arts and the tandem troupe theater, which is our theater group that travels and performs original plays that they write,” Moore said.
In addition to performing, friends also have the opportunity to sell their visual art at the program’s events.
“We try to put self-advocacy at the forefront of everything that we do. Our arts program highlights that in a way that that I’ve not seen done before,” Moore explained.
In addition to Advocacy Through the Arts, FLC has a variety of coaching sessions for life skills, health and nutrition, drama therapy, and free employment training. These coaching sessions are designed to help equip friends with skills that will improve their ability to find employment.
The smaller, evening programs belong to the Social Club, which meets three times a month. During these evening events, five friends are accompanied by FLC staff as they engage in social activities. This may include visiting restaurants or other places of interest for the friends.
“I feel like we have a little more flexibility in the things that we can do because we’re setting the standards and the parameters in which we’re wanting to function,” Wigginton said.
ReAbility Makes Programs Like FLC’s Easier to Find
ReAbility is a search engine for individuals with disabilities that helps identify nearby resources, programs, and events based on their specific disability and needs. Dreamscape Foundation collaborated with Chris Myers to create this resource, which is currently within its early stages, but evolving with each new partnership.
FLC sees ReAbility as an opportunity to reach more people in the future and connect them with the curriculum best suited to their unique skills and needs. “The biggest thing that’s going be so wonderful with [ReAbility] is that people can set their preferences on what they wanted to be alerted about and they automatically get those notifications,” Moore said. “I know families and individuals that are constantly on the search for what they need and what they’re looking for.”
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