HULL, Iowa (KTIV) – A behavioral health clinic opened in Hull two weeks ago, offering therapy for young children with autism and related diagnoses.
Rise ABA specializes in ABA therapy, a treatment that uses positive reinforcement to improve behaviors. The clinic serves children on the autism spectrum and those with other related diagnoses.
Each room is designed to meet different needs for children on the spectrum. The facility is kid-friendly with features like magnet walls, swings, and ‘calm spaces’ with stuffed animals, cozy chairs, and books.
This space is designed just for them with magnet walls, swings, and corners to find peace and calm. Each room meets a different need for someone on the spectrum.(KTIV)
Carrie Vande Kamp, the clinic’s owner, moved from Rock Valley to Hull after the flood impacted her home. When she moved, she said there was an offer to bring this service to families in the area, calling it a more central location for families that they serve.
“They can soak up the information, and if they learn to communicate and to understand behaviors and to really get across their needs at an earlier age, we find the most success, fewer behaviors later on,” Vande Kamp said. “And then they learn all those daily living skills really early on.”
Board Certified Behavior Analysts study the behaviors of children to determine how they learn best and what skills they need to work on. Registered Behavior Technicians then work one-on-one with the children on different skills, including daily living skills, behavior reduction, and communication.
Individualized approach
Some children are nonverbal and use devices to help them speak. Others are extroverted and are learning how to self-regulate.
Leah De Jager, a Registered Behavior Technician, works directly with the children.
“And then I work one-on-one with them at the table, and then I’m playing with them, and we attend like circle time, and we do peer play with the other kiddos,” De Jager said. “So they have a more social interaction with their peers.”
Parents receive reports with updates on their child’s improvement.
“So we have kiddos all across the spectrum, and we could fit it to be like this kid likes a ton of toys or we have magnet walls or swings or like a calm down corner,” Vande Kamp said. “So we had this space and the ability to make it to what would fit them best and succeed the most.”
The clinic now serves nine children.
Rise ABA is offering free early intervention diagnostics on Sunday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Follow this link to schedule the free appointment.
World Autism Awareness Day is Thursday, April 2. According to Autism Speaks, this year marks the 18th annual World Autism Awareness Day. The organization says autism does not define who someone is, but instead highlights their strength, uniqueness, and special qualities.
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