Program areas at Mitchell's Place
Our aba (applied behavior analysis) therapy programs provide year-round therapeutic intervention to children on the autism spectrum based on the science of applied behavior analysis. Our aba programs are bhcoe accredited for both 2021 and 2022, which certifies that we operate at the highest service and ethical level. Using this evidence-based therapy, we work to increase language while reducing maladaptive behaviors to help our children learn at their full potential while they are in our building. We served approximately 19 students in these programs in a one-on-one capacity.
Our related services programs include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and feeding therapy, which are offered year-round to clients inside our facility and through outpatient services as well. Having these services available to our aba programs and elp program offers our families the ability to drop their child off at 8:00 and pick them up at 4:00 without having to go anywhere else for services once they leave our building. Our founders always envisioned a one-stop-shop for autism, and this was part of the vision. Collaboration between all programs allows us to treat the whole child and helps increase the likelihood that each child will reach their full potential. This department services approximately 75 clients.
Our early learning preschool (elp) is a year-round academic and behavior focused preschool that serves both children on the autism spectrum and neurotypical children. Our elp is accredited through cognia and meets the highest academic standards for a preschool setting. We received 4 stars through the department of human resources quality rating and improvement system, and we are now a first-class preschool with the state of Alabama. Students on the autism spectrum receive the same academic standards as our neurotypical peers, but they also receive applied behavior analysis, speech therapy and occupational therapy throughout the week. Our classrooms look at everything through a behavioral lens so that we can provide the best environment for all our students. We served 38 students in this program.
Our psychology department offers comprehensive evaluations for autism, and assessments for other neurodevelopmental disabilities and psychological concerns. Clients can also receive individual and family therapy, school testing, school consulting, and feeding therapy. We evaluate from 18 months through adulthood. Our advocacy/consulting program offers individual and school consulting as well as advocacy training for parents. We work with schools by providing professional development, set up classrooms to have better success behaviorally and work with individual students who need a little extra support. Our advocacy program is a 9-10-month program using a curriculum to help parents understand special education and all the processes involved, including how to navigate the public school system so that their child receives all that he/she is entitled to because of their disability.