Spring into action for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month

Let’s make the world a better place for kids with autism.

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, also called World Autism Month. It’s a time to learn more and educate others about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while celebrating and recognizing the diverse experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum. As we work towards a more inclusive society, it’s important to understand the challenges people with autism face and how we can support them.

As an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy providers and a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence®, we’re proud to support this important initiative and promote greater understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism. Here at The Behavior Exchange, we offer a fun, caring, and inclusive environment for children and their families. We believe every child on the autism spectrum has unique strengths and talents, and our mission is the bring them hope and meaningful change so they can reach their full potential.

What is ASD?

 It’s hard to define autism, because researchers are still looking for a definite cause or causes that would paint a clearer picture of what it is and why it happens. Basically, it’s a neurological condition where differences in the brain impact how children and adults communicate, learn, behave, and socially interact. It’s characterized by difficulties in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Autism can range from mild to severe, and the symptoms can vary widely.

Is there a cure?

There is no cure for autism, but there is a gold-standard treatment for autism known as ABA therapy. Starting kids early in ABA therapy (a.k.a. early intervention) is the key to their success. Research shows early diagnosis and interventions for autism is more likely to have major long-term positive effects on symptoms and life-long skills. Early intervention programs, like B.E.E.S., can help children develop skills that improve their quality of life and that of their families.

What is ABA therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis therapy is an evidence-based treatment and scientific approach to learning and behavior. ABA therapy applies our understanding of how behavior works in real situations. It’s typically used to help children with autism and other developmental disabilities learn behaviors that help improve their social, communication and behavior skills, so they can live a safer and more fulfilling life. ABA therapy is an individualized approach that is tailored to each individual’s needs, strengths, and goals.

Why is autism awareness and acceptance important?

Autism diagnoses continue to rise in the U.S. According to the CDC, it now affects approximately 1 in 36 children, making it the fastest growing developmental disability in the world. Despite its prevalence, people with autism often face discrimination, misunderstanding, and social isolation. This is why awareness and acceptance are crucial in creating a more welcoming and supportive community.

Awareness and acceptance can help break down barriers and create opportunities for individuals with autism. It can also increase understanding and empathy, leading to a more inclusive and diverse society. By raising awareness and promoting acceptance, we can help create a world where individuals with autism can thrive and reach their full potential. This is especially true for the next generation. Children with autism should have an easier time navigating the hurdles of everyday life without having the added stress of being judged and ridiculed. Autism acceptance can work as validation of their condition and emotions they need, increasing the quality of everyday life.

How can you get involved?

 There are lots of ways! Here are just a few:

  1. Educate yourself. Learn more about autism and the experiences of individuals with autism. Read books, watch documentaries, and attend workshops or online events to gain a deeper understanding of autism.
  1. Be mindful of language. Words matter. Avoid using stigmatizing or derogatory language when talking about autism or individuals on the spectrum. Instead, use person-first language that emphasizes the individual rather than the diagnosis.
  1. Celebrate differences. Embrace and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of individuals on the autism spectrum. Recognize that autism is a part of their identity, and that it can be a source of strength and pride.
  1. Listen to the stories and experiences of individuals with autism. Ask questions and seek to understand their perspective.
  1. Advocate for inclusion. Speak up for the rights of individuals with autism. Advocate for policies, practices and programs that support inclusion and acceptance of the autism community.
  1. Show your support for individuals with autism by attending events, volunteering, or donating to organizations that provide services and resources for individuals with autism and their families.
  1. Spread the word. Use your social media platforms to raise awareness about autism. Share stories, facts, and resources, like The Behavior Exchange, with your followers and encourage them to get involved.

If you have a child with autism, this month hits home. You have to go beyond awareness and acceptance and take action for the sake of your child and family. Our expert advice is to seek help from an ABA therapy provider as soon as possible. It can benefit children as young as two years old!

For more than 20 years, we’ve had the pleasure of helping families throughout North Texas and the greater Boulder, Colorado, area achieve a brighter future through in-center ABA therapy services. To learn more and get started, visit us at behaviorexchange.com, email buddy@behaviorexchange.com, or just call 972.312.8733. We can help this month and beyond. 

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Ashvina attended University of Bombay and graduated with a Bachelors of Commerce. She got her Montessori Diploma in 1985 and taught ever since. Ashvina came to TBE in January of 2016 as Admin Assistant. During the years she got the opportunity to learn and work in different departments such as HR, Finance, Office Manager and Executive Assistant. Last summer TBE bought billing in house and her current focus area is Revenue Cycle Management. She is detail oriented and enjoys working with people. Ashvina volunteers to deliver meals to seniors and local shelters on the weekend. She loves to spend time with her family and grandkids. Ashvina loves her job because she enjoys hearing different points of view, and she feels her contributions help fuel the direction of our company.

Working with children comes naturally to Angela. Her mom was a special education teacher for 30 years and often had Angela join her for Take Your Child to Work Day. And in high school, Angela spent every summer as the nanny for a little boy with an autism spectrum disorder. It was this experience where her passion for working with children with autism started to blossom.

From there, she went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. She learned about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a non-normative development class and from that moment knew that ABA would be her life’s work.

Angela moved to the DFW area shortly after and began working at The Behavior Exchange as a therapist. She worked on her Master’s in Behavior Analysis at the same time. A year after graduating, she earned certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Now, as a Clinical Director at The Behavior Exchange, she brings a life-long passion to her work, holding a special place in her heart for children with limited language skills and working closely with families to develop healthy sleep habits.

Danielle’s passion for working with families is deeply personal and from the heart. Her younger brother has an autism spectrum disorder, and through their journey as a family, she found her purpose in life as an advocate for individuals with special needs.

After graduating from the University of North Texas with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Danielle began volunteering at The Behavior Exchange. She saw passionate therapists, meaningful change for clients, and families with hope for the future. After a summer of volunteering, she officially joined the team as Director of Admissions and found her home with The Behavior Exchange family.

With her extensive experience working as a client advocate with insurance providers, Danielle perseveres to help individuals of all ages and abilities receive the services they need to reach their full potential. She feels truly honored by each and every family who entrusts The Behavior Exchange to be part of their journey and is committed to the organization’s core values, mission, and goal of being a beacon of hope for the community.

Adam has always had a passion for helping individuals of all ages thrive and reach their full potential. He’s also an enthusiastic musician, songwriter, leader, and devoted family man, who has been helping children and team members grow with The Behavior Exchange since 2010.

Prior to joining the team at The Behavior Exchange, Adam was a mortgage loan consultant and grad student, pursuing his master’s degree in Education at the University of North Texas. He graduated in 2013 and also earned a graduate academic certificate in Autism Intervention. The following year, after years as a Behavior Therapist and seeing first-hand the power of ABA and the meaningful impact it can have on children and their families, Adam became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He then commenced from the Stagen Leadership Academy after completing the Integral Leadership Program (ILP), a 52-week practice-based program designed to develop executives serious about transforming themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

Adam is truly grateful to be a part of a dynamic, inspiring and compassionate team, and he’s dedicated to bettering the lives of all children and their families through the delivery of the highest quality of ABA services, while supporting the amazing team at The Behavior Exchange.

Soraya is from South Africa and moved to Texas in 1996. She graduated from The University of Texas and pursued a career, at that time, in Education. Soraya taught at a Montessori school for a few years and then took on a leadership role.

During her time in the education system, Soraya realized her passion was to assist children with special needs. So she joined The Behavior Exchange as a therapist, transitioned into a supervisory role in 2017, and a year and a half later, was promoted to Clinical Operations Manager.

She quickly learned the ins and outs of ABA operations and scheduling and successfully collaborates across departments to ensure The Behavior Exchange continues to provide quality services to clients and their families. She’s thankful to be part of such an amazing organization and excited to see what the future holds.

You could say Walter’s career started when he spent hours as a young child drawing superheroes and coloring maps. This passion, along with extraordinary swimming skills, landed him a full swimming scholarship at Texas Christian University, where he graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Graphics.

During the next 13 years, his design and art direction skills, conceptual-thinking abilities, and marketing-savvy know-how were honed at a few prestigious advertising and marketing agencies around the Dallas area. In the mid 2000s, he helped his wife Tammy Cline-Soza (founder and CEO of The Behavior Exchange) create a unique and concise brand for her new business. From logos and websites to uniforms, brand voice and visuals, Walter has been the main creative force for all things The Behavior Exchange.

Aside from giving birth to The Behavior Exchange brand, Walter is helping Tammy raise two amazing, beautiful children, River and Sierra. In his spare time (the two minutes he’s got per week), you can find Walter illustrating iconic landmarks of Dallas and Texas or looking around for this next open-water swim. Once he gets back in shape.

After 20 years of building The Behavior Exchange, literally from the ground up,
Tammy couldn’t be more proud of the team, culture, and organization that it has become.

As a family helping families, The Behavior Exchanges looks for opportunities that will make the biggest impact and produce life-changing outcomes – for clients, families, and even for team members. Tammy believes that if a team, a family, a community takes care of each other, the possibilities are endless and the relationships built along the way can make life more enriching and challenges easier to navigate. You could say her goal has been to build a kind of utopia full of support, love, and expertise that brings the best services possible to the community and ensures more families have access to those services.

Tammy and her family have dedicated their lives to the mission of The Behavior Exchange and continue to grow, learn, cultivate, challenge, support, and create better models for success. To that end, she is committed to her own leadership development and actively participates in advanced training, mentoring, and deep self-exploration on how to live out her purpose to love and support her family and help others reach their full potential. She takes her position very seriously and tries to serve as a channel for what the universe wants to come to fruition.

She also loves travel, gardening, being creative, MUSIC!, tennis, yoga, meditation, journaling, reading, being in nature, adventures, and more than anything, spending time with her husband Walter and their two beautiful children, River and Sierra.