DECATUR, Ala. – As April begins, Autism Awareness Month is putting a spotlight on the growing need for services and support for children with autism and their families.
One local provider said that need is only increasing as more children are being diagnosed.
ABA Services works with children with autism, providing therapy focused on self-help skills, behavior, communication and social skills.
Owner Lucinda Holohan said the center now serves children ages 2 to 15, after recently moving into a larger building to expand services.
Holohan said the need for that growth reflects a larger trend as autism diagnoses are rising, with about 1 in 31 children now being diagnosed.
Because of that growing need, ABA Services has about 25 children enrolled, room for about 15 more and still has around 50 children on its waitlist.
“I think that there’s more awareness now. Parents are more accepting,” Holohan said. “There was a time where they were isolated and your friends didn’t know how to deal with your child that’s 12 and having a tantrum so they just stayed away. Now they understand, they get it more and can educate people enough on that topic.”
Holohan said the next step will be expanding upstairs and eventually adding an elevator to make that space accessible and expand their services to even more children.
