Thrive Autism Solutions Blog

We love the month of April!

It is a special time of year when we get to bring more awareness to an issue close to our hearts, Autism.

For over 50 years, the month of April has been bringing to light the importance of educating others about Autism. Since the first National Autism Awareness month in 1970, participants from around the globe have been working to raise awareness about Autism.  In 1970 every 1 in 2000 children were impacted by Autism. Today, that rate is 1 in 68 children. As rates increase, so does the greater need for more knowledge and understanding of how to support those living with Autism.

Many parents express concern over how to “do therapy” when their child is not in an ABA session.  Finding the balance between being Mom and practicing skills can seem impossible at times, and well-meaning Moms and Dads worry about missing out on teaching opportunities once their ABA team has gone home.  While there is often a time and a place for more structured learning opportunities, parents shouldn’t feel pressure to schedule mini-therapy sessions with flashcards at the dinner table. Incorporating teaching opportunities into everyday life can be quick, easy, and fun!

Thrive Autism Solutions is now offering autism services in Kansas City. Our clinic is open on 7 E. Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Thrive uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to optimize a child’s potential and increase happiness for the entire family. ABA is the sole behavioral treatment for autism endorsed by the National Institute of Mental Health, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the US Surgeon General. Thrive is one of the few ABA providers accredited by CARF International.

What is the BACB and why is it important?

Behavior Analyst Certification Board - BACB - is the organization that oversees the credentialing of behavior analysts in the United States and internationally. The BACB was developed in 1998. Consumers of behavior analysis services, the government, and behavior analysts wanted a way to ensure ethical and quality services were being provided.

Mr. Abbenhaus is a twenty year finance, operations, and accounting professional, specializing in executive management, capital formation, IT, internal financial reporting and compliance, and implementing complex corporate strategies. Mr. Abbenhaus has served as President or CFO for 6 different companies in the Healthcare, Professional Services, Information Technology, and Telecommunications industries. Mr. Abbenhaus has closed over $500 million in public capital transactions, secured venture capital funding for three separate start-ups, and acquired or merged four different companies. Mr. Abbenhaus lives in St Louis with his wife and four children.

Here is a report that we hear frequently from families:"Toilet training is going awesome! My child is staying dry for long periods of time and is initiating when he has to pee BUT he is still struggling with having successful bowel movements on the toilet. I know he has to go because he gets really quiet and hides behind the couch but he just can’t seem to figure this out!”

Many children struggle with picky eating at some point, but children with autism may have feeding issues that go above and beyond just being a picky eater.  Tackling autism and food issues can be major stressors for families; not only does it have the potential for being disruptive to family life but it may lead to malnutrition, constipation, and other medical issues in severe cases. Working on feeding problems can be a daunting task but there are effective, evidence-based interventions that can help!

The work we do is important. Keeping current is just as important. Many of us at Thrive Autism Solutions serve as officers of Arkansas Association for Behavior Analysis, which we refer to as ArkABA. We work together to support each other and encourage innovation and advancements in this field. We are so proud to sponsor this upcoming annual conference from ArkABA and we hope you will attend. 

Two words that strike fear in most parents are toilet and training.

Toilet training, or "potty training", can be a scary process for any family but it may be particularly challenging for families of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research shows that children diagnosed with autism are often delayed in achieving toilet training success and that it may take more time to complete the toilet training process than other children. Potential barriers may include language deficits that may make it difficult for the child to say “I need to go potty!”, difficulty dressing and undressing when it is time to go, change in routines leading to negative behavior, or having aversions to the noises, smells, and bright lights that are associated with bathroom time.

If you’ve ever felt the fear of realizing that your child is missing, you know it is a feeling you never forget. Parents know, and research confirms, that children with autism are more likely to “wander” or “elope” – in other words, they will leave their house or immediate area without alerting an adult.