Autism Services Should Serve You
It all begins with an idea.
I met my daughter in 2017. She was 15 years old and we were both attending an adoption event hosted by the Special Needs Adoption Program in Indiana. To protect her privacy I will not be detailing her story, but I will share that my daughter is Autistic and she is my reason for finally moving forward with establishing this company.
I first entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2013. At the time I was a graduate student at Ball State University and seeking opportunities to gain clinical experience in order to eventually become a BCBA. I have had the support of several incredible BCBAs throughout the years as I learned about this science. At the same time, I was going through my adoption journey with my daughter and navigating disability services from the perspective of a parent in need of support. What I found was that therapists frequently canceled or quit. Sessions were canceled with little notice. Staffing for respite care seemed like a myth (unless you could provide your own). Insurance would frequently refuse prior authorization even though your doctor recommended a medication or service and battles were common.
My daughter is an amazing young woman who has thrived with the support she has received, but I also had the privilege of being inside the system. I knew who to contact, how to argue, and how to make sure my daughter received what she needed. I knew this information because I was also a provider and my connections meant that she did not wait in line, and she was not ignored.
Many providers have long waitlists. Some providers have issues with overall quality of services region to region because the quality drastically varies based on the BCBA and RBTs you are working with. Direct professionals (RBTs) are often under-payed, undertrained, and burnt out. RBTs are rotated frequently in the name of “generalization” without regard for attachment theory and child development research.
My goals with establish Adapt Ability Autism Services, LLC are to:
Center the client in all decision making: Every client is different, and every client deserves quality care. We prioritize choice and self-advocacy at Adapt Ability
Decrease turnover among direct care staff: We believe that RBTs are the heart of ABA services and should be treated with the utmost compassion and respect. We expect professionalism and consistent, quality care from our staff.
Foster an environment that supports neurodiversity and dismantles ableism: My most loved family and friends are neurodiverse. I believe in care that is affirming of difference, and compassionate to the needs of autistic individuals. We will move forward with a strong commitment to ethics and neurodiversity.
Ultimately, my wish in establishing Adapt Ability Autism Services is that the neurodiverse children, adolescents, and adults of East Central Indiana and beyond will find a community in which they can grow and thrive. I want to create a community that can be counted upon to support you and your family when you find yourself in need.
If you or a loved one are in need of support or would like additional information, please reach out. I am available at jvaughn@adaptabilityautism.com