Elizabeth is no stranger to being a parent. In fact, she has 3 boys (now adults) who love and adore their little sister with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her daughter, now 7 years old, was with Potential for about 2 years from the age of 3 until she “graduated” – completing the program.

However, the road to receiving ABA services wasn’t without its roadblocks, which Elizabeth has been navigating since her daughter was an infant. She credits her husband with taking charge of their daughter’s early start in ABA learning, leading them to discover Potential’s Newtown and Warminster locations, which gave their daughter the resources she needed.

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Unlocking IBHS-ABA Support: Elizabeth’s Story

Before Potential, Elizabeth’s daughter faced several challenges around her misunderstood behaviors:

• Severe meltdowns in stores
• Sensory issues with wearing pants (she likes dresses)
• Urge to wander in public
• Spatial awareness with other children

“We could not take her to Target or the grocery store without meltdowns or her wandering off to ‘join’ another family. Two of Potential’s staff would come with us and coach us throughout the store…They were like angels sent from heaven.”

Elizabeth found value in the programs offered at Potential for her daughter because of the personalized attention she received. As any parent knows, dealing with unruly hair is a challenge. However, managing the curly hair of her daughter with ASD became nearly impossible.

“She has really curly hair, and it would get knotted all the time. So the mini hair salon, where [my daughter] practiced hair care daily, has been particularly beneficial. It still is a challenge, but it’s way better now.”

A focus on social skills has also helped her daughter learn to better gauge appropriate distances with peers. Using a newly learned tactic, Elizabeth was overcome with emotion watching her daughter practice it in the real world.

“It was the sweetest thing. [My daughter] says, ‘Hi, my name is…Do you want to play with me?’ And I wanted to just cry because I could not even believe this was happening right now. I was so proud.”

Elizabeth notes that her daughter thrives in interactive environments. Subjects that allow for hands-on learning and social interaction work best for her daughter’s learning.

Advocating For Your Child With ASD Isn’t Easy But It’s Necessary

Before Potential, Elizabeth did what any other parent would do for their child. She became her daughter’s voice, challenging the preschool teacher who said “absolutely not” when her daughter began. The preschool tried to argue that they could only handle her daughter for a half-day. They also wanted her to force her daughter to wear pants – even if it resulted in a meltdown. Elizabeth witnessed the preschool staff’s unfamiliarity with autism and searched for other solutions.

“It’s interesting having an autistic child. People are mean. She has been kicked out of gymnastics for crying and people are just so insensitive. Our experience with preschool – that was very hurtful and shocking for them to tell me that.”

Elizabeth remembers the staring eyes as she picked up her daughter from gymnastics, trying to keep her own emotions in as she walked them both out feeling alone, judged, and completely misunderstood. Getting her daughter to wear pants, even in the dead of winter, is an ongoing challenge but one she’s prepared for daily.

“Everybody has to say something to me…Listen, I pack for her every single day. She has a clean pair of leggings, a clean dress, and a different pair of shoes in her book bag every single day. If [my daughter] is cold, she knows she can put pants on. She chooses not to, and I’m not going to make her.”

After Potential, Elizabeth now sees how widespread the lack of understanding is for children with autism and their families.

“Autism services provide not just education but also a community that understands and uplifts our children.”

Elizabeth is proud of her daughter’s progress and even happier to report that they can now both confidently go to Target with very few incidents. And if a meltdown does happen, she’s equipped with resources to help de-escalate the situation in public and help her daughter learn various new skills at home.

Explore how IBHS-ABA services with Potential may be the solution to transform how you and your child navigate ASD.

An Overview Of Potential’s IBHS-ABA Programs

Potential’s IBHS-ABA services are highlighted through 2 different programs by age groups designed to support learners through comprehensive behavioral health interventions in homes, schools, community settings, and centers in Newtown, Levittown, and Warminster.

IBHS-ABA Services For Children & Adults

IBHS-ABA services through our Early Childhood Program address multiple developmental areas for children and adults with autism including cognitive, communicative, social, emotional, and adaptive functioning. Children in this program may receive up to 40 hours of service per week to:

• Enhance their communication
• Encourage constructive behaviors
• Nurture their social interactions

Autism Services For Children & Teens

Children ages 6 to 12 and adolescents ages 13 to 21 benefit from our Springtime School and specialized services. Some students receive both for consistent learning and others transition into alternate settings including public school. The Potential team collaborates with the individual and their families to create a plan adapted to their needs, not the other way around.

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Help Make Accessible Autism Services Happen

Elizabeth’s challenges and journey are similar to many parents and caregivers who have a child with autism. Even so, she realizes that every family faces their own challenges.

“I think honestly what helped was the fact that I’m a stay-at-home parent. So I was very flexible with timing. With traffic, it was about 2 hours of driving every day. I know most parents don’t have that luxury available to them. I know we’re lucky.”

However, more than 50 years after Congress first passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), we can and should have autism services available to those who need them most. The right resources exist.Help us spread the word and bring IBHS-ABA services closer to families.