Academy Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a pediatric, Georgia-based autism center, has opened in the former Pathfinders Church building to help children on the autism spectrum. The center utilizes data-driven therapy for treating autism that uses behavioral principles to increase or decrease particular behaviors and build social skills.
“ABA is defined as a type of approach to understanding behavior and social skills based on the environment around an individual and can help improve communication and social skills,” said Logan Ingram, a sophomore psychology student.
Academy ABA began in 1998, treating many children with different diagnoses, but in 2020, they shifted their focus to children solely with autism due to the rising prevalence. Academy ABA has many locations throughout Georgia, including Cartersville, Cumming, Rome, Roswell and now Milledgeville.
The programs at Academy ABA focus on real-world application and tailoring their care specifically to each child, starting with an assessment of their strengths, challenges and goals. ABA as a treatment focuses on improving communication skills, focus and memory, facets that children on the autism spectrum struggle with.
“[Children with autism] often struggle with their social skills as they don’t completely understand how to interact with other kids, as well as the ability to focus on the work at hand,” Ingram said.
ABA uses positive reinforcement as well as educating their clients about antecedents, behaviors and consequences—the cause, the action and the after effect, respectively—to improve communication skills.
The center doesn’t just help the autistic patients they are treating, but also the families of those patients. Increasing communication skills among children on the spectrum means they can better convey their issues to their caregiver and their caregivers can have an easier time talking to the child.
“The center will benefit the child the most with everyday social interaction, and that can help the child be able to communicate more easily with the parents,” said Ella Hampton, a freshman psychology and former special education major. “The parents will also learn more about their child and what they need, because typically centers give parents resources on the best ways to support their child during this process.”
Academy ABA took the place of a church, which served as a place of community, but some students believe that the academy serves the same purpose.
“I think it will serve a similar purpose with the intention to help the community, but for different people and doing different things,” Hampton said.
The community now has a space to learn about autism and people on the spectrum, and their families can get the support they need thanks to Academy ABA, and yet, many students were not aware of the business.
“I was not aware of the building or what it does, but after learning about it, I think it would be a very beneficial addition for the community,” Ingram said.
For students seeking further information on APA and autism treatments, Academy ABA is located at 120 Earnest Byner Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061, and is reachable at 770-754-0085 or [email protected].