The local Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program continues to expand its reach and now serves children with autism in Lyons and Larned.
ABA is designed for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sunflower Early Education Center, Great Bend, is one of the few entities in Kansas that offers the specialized therapies.
The EEC is part of the Sunflower Diversified Services family; it serves children and adults with special needs.
As of early July, eight children were enrolled in the ABA program; five live in Great Bend/Barton County, one in Lyons and two in Larned. Four are on the waiting list.
“While we want to serve those on the waiting list as soon as possible, we cannot accept children without the appropriate staff,” said Alyson Burkhart, board certified behavior analyst. “There are a required number of hours each week for therapies and we must meet these requirements for the children’s sake.”
Limited staffing is the reason for the waiting list but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sunflower recently hired two part-time employees and a third may join them soon.
“However, new employees must go through a lengthy process to become Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs),” Burkhart emphasized. “It will be worth it because the more providers we have, the more children we can help.”
Earning an RBT certification includes 40 hours of training plus a comprehensive exam.
“Applications continue to be taken for this important position,” Burkhart noted. “We look for people who have some experience with children on the autism spectrum and/or a background in early childhood education.
“We will train the right people – those who have a true desire to help families and be part of this growing field.”
Lyons & Larned
The Lyons office space for serving ABA children was made possible by a $10,000 Rice County Community Foundation grant, which is financing two years of expenses.
Larned Elementary School provides free-of-charge space for two children in the program; ABA is an extension of the school day.
“These types of community partnerships make this all possible,” Burkhart said. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the Rice County grant and our relationship with Larned’s school.
“Be assured that the children in these satellite offices receive the same therapies they would receive at our Early Education Center in Great Bend,” Burkhart added.
She predicts ABA will continue to grow in Sunflower’s five-county service area. “We are still receiving referrals from parents and doctors,” she explained. “People are beginning to notice the early signs of autism and getting children tested. This is so important because early detection is key.”
A few ABA basics
ABA is designed for children who have received a medical diagnosis and/or a doctor’s referral. Sunflower EEC staff members do not diagnose.
Services are adapted to the unique needs of each child. This involves one-on-one teaching, group classroom instruction and/or parental training for up to 25 hours per week.
Sunflower offers the intensive behavioral intervention to children up to age 5 or when they start kindergarten. A transition plan is developed as the child approaches school age.
Some insurance policies, including KanCare, cover ABA services.
Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. The non-profit agency is in its 57th year.