The Behavior Frontiers Blog

Edina, Minnesota is a suburb of Minneapolis, and was home to one of Behavior Frontiers’ first autism care centers. Now, we are pleased to announce that our center is expanding to offer autism care to even more children!

If you’re looking for autism care near Minneapolis, our center is open and enrolling! This center already featured a mix of purpose-built playrooms and smaller, individual therapy rooms. With this expansion, we will allow for a greater opportunity for sensory and social skills interactions for our clients. The expansion will result in the addition of a specialized social skills room, an enhanced sensory playroom, additional one-to-one ABA therapy rooms, a cozy lobby for secure drop off of children, and a parent training room.

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can struggle with a number of sensory issues. One of the most common areas that children struggle with is getting their hair cut. It’s an unfamiliar environment, filled with strange sounds and uncomfortable sensations – no wonder it can be so overwhelming! However, with these helpful tips and strategies, you can help make your child’s haircutting experience less stressful for both you and your child.

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Naturalistic Teaching Strategies (or NATS) is one of the major cornerstones of an ABA program. This involves using things that your child is interested in, or activities your child enjoys, in order to guide learning. Unlike Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT), NATS is much less structured and frequently revolves around play.

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All parents share concerns about ensuring their children's safety at home. Whether it's the worry about the cabinet under the sink containing cleaning supplies or the sharp corners of a coffee table, the list of concerns tends to grow. The anxieties are amplified for autism families. If a child has elopement issues, constant considerations about the environment arise. Questions like, "Is the lock out of reach?" or "Can my child navigate the new latching system?" become a persistent source of stress.

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Located just south of Denver, in Arapahoe County, lies the city of Centennial. Part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area, Centennial is home to over 100,000 people. For the last year, Centennial has also been the home of one of Behavior Frontiers’ autism care centers!

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The field of behavior analysis, though relatively young compared to other disciplines, has witnessed the contributions of numerous significant researchers shaping the future of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face many challenges. One of the most frustrating, for the child and their parents, is a difficulty expressing their wants and needs. This can lead to the child using aggressive behavior.

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Located just north of Dallas, in Collin County, lies the city of Plano. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, Plano is a big city with a small-town feel. Since 2022, Plano has been the home of one of Behavior Frontiers’ newest autism care centers!

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If you're concerned about your child's behavior and suspect they might be showing signs of autism, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about getting an assessment. Professionals commonly use a tool called the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) for this purpose. The ADOS is a test that helps professionals, such as clinicians or school systems, evaluate and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders in children.

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Smyrna sits in the heart of Georgia, just a quick 15-minute drive from downtown Atlanta. The city is home to 50,000 people, and, since 2023, one of Behavior Frontiers’ newest autism centers!

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Did you know that 2024 is the Year of the Dragon? The Year of the Dragon occurs every 12 years in the Chinese zodiac! Observed between January 21st and February 20th, this celebration involves several days of joyous customs. So, gather the family, tell your friends and join us at a Behavior Frontiers autism center near you!

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Life happens. You come down with a nasty cold and you have an overwhelming to-do list. Your child's school activities, a soccer game, family outings, and playdates are all happening. You haven't finished the food shopping, the home is in disarray, and you have a parent-teacher meeting to go to. Suddenly, you realize you canceled your child’s scheduled ABA therapy sessions more times than they attended this month.   

The good news is that everything is fine! Sometimes, things come up in families that can disrupt scheduled sessions, but your child's progress is still intact. Reconfirm your dedication to your child's program with this chance! Success with ABA therapy comes from consistency. The clinical data speaks for itself - consistency leads to better outcomes and helps your child flourish.  

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2023 has been a wonderful year for Behavior Frontiers. We opened 12 new Autism Centers, and welcomed the local autism community with celebrations at each one. We hosted FIFTEEN additional events in our centers from a backyard bash, to a summer luau, to Halloween parties across the country. We have been able to serve more children, in more locations, in more ways than ever before. And we're not stopping now!

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After enjoying a nice, long break with family and friends, getting back to our regular routines can be a bit tricky. And it's not just us – for those with special needs, like kids with autism, going back to the usual routine can be particularly tough. Any changes, even if it’s going back to what we know, can present a challenge. But fear not! Here are some helpful tips to make the return to normal life a little smoother for everyone:

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We would like to take this moment to wish each and every one of our clients, staff, and community partners the happiest of holiday seasons. As yet another year draws to a close, we are so thankful for the opportunities we have been given to work with all of you, to help create a world without limits for children with autism.

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The holiday season is here, and it’s likely that you’re trying to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. If one of those loved ones is a child with autism, selecting a gift requires a thoughtful approach that takes into account their unique needs and preferences. With that in mind, we have put together our 2023 gift guide to help you select the perfect presents for the children with autism in your life.

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The holiday season can be a wonderful time of fun, family, togetherness, and joy. For our loved ones with autism, however, the changes in routine, unfamiliar guests, and new foods can be a source of a lot of stress. In this article, we will discuss some of the ways that you can help your child to enjoy this holiday season, by minimizing stress for you, your child, and your entire family.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that now affects one out of every 36 children. Despite increased awareness and understanding of autism, innumerable myths, rumors, and misconceptions still persist. Many of these myths have the potential to cause harm to individuals with autism, as well as their families, parents, and caregivers. In this post, we will go over some common myths, and provide insights into the truth.

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Are you a sophomore or junior pursuing a degree in Child Development, Special Education, or Psychology, or emphasizing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at a California college or university or at Wayne State College in MI? If so, we have exciting news for you! The Behavior Frontiers Helen Mader Scholarship is here to help you achieve your educational goals. With generous awards of $1,000 to $1,500, this scholarship can make a significant impact on your academic journey.

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Halloween is, for many people, a wonderful day of spooky costumes, fun decorations, and more candy than you know what to do with. However, for children with autism, the holiday can be overwhelming. Between sensory struggles, breaks from routine, and unfamiliar environments, Halloween festivities can be more stressful than enjoyable. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks to help ensure that all children can join in on the seasonal fun!

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Behavior Frontiers, a leading provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, is thrilled to introduce its innovative Behavior Analyst Fellowship Program, designed to empower aspiring behavior analysts on their journey to becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). This groundbreaking program offers a comprehensive support system, hands-on training, and professional development opportunities like no other, setting the stage for a rewarding career in behavior analysis.

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Unlocking the potential of preschool students lies in our ability to recognize, understand, and support their developmental and behavioral milestones. As parents, you play a vital role in nurturing their abilities! Here are just a few of the milestones to watch out for, and how to promote them in your child.

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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy has proven to be a transformative treatment for individuals on the autism spectrum. However, the process of determining if your insurance covers ABA treatment can often be complex and overwhelming. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to demystify this process, including how Behavior Frontiers can assist you in completing a benefits verification. 

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Preparing children with autism for school can be a transformative journey, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment plays a crucial role in ensuring their readiness for the classroom. ABA, a scientifically validated approach, focuses on teaching adaptive skills, reducing challenging behaviors, and promoting independence.

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We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new benefits package, designed to enhance overall well-being, and provide even more support. We understand the importance of comprehensive benefits for our employees, and we have taken great care to curate a package that addresses their various needs. In this post, we will walk through the key details of the new benefits program and how Behavior Frontiers employees can take advantage of these offerings. This package is offered to all employees, even part-time!

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