plans are customized to meet their specific profile needs , whether they are 5 years old and non - verbal or 15 and experiencing behavioral issues . The results of ABA therapy can include children showing more interest in those around them ; more effective communication and the ability to clearly and specifically AWelcome ask for something they want ; more focus at school ; and a reduction in tantrums , out - bursts or self - harming behavior . “ This is a therapy that helps children interact with the world in a way that will better their quality of life as well as help them create Addition connections with other people , ” says Jeanine Weichelt , Chief Operations Officer at Helping South Jersey is the launching pad for Hands Family , who has overseen the opening Helping Hands Family , an ambitious and growth of 40 clinics in her career . “ It is totally customized to your child’s needs so organization using ABA therapy to they can grow socially and personally . improve social and communication “ While we do see effective outcomes with someone getting diagnosed early and skills for children diagnosed with starting ABA at a young age , there is not an by MATT COSENTINO autism . age limit to start this therapy . If somebody is diagnosed at 15 or 16 , that’s no problem ; we can start them in therapy then . The great thing about ABA is that it’s not a one - size - fits - all approach . ” Since ABA is recognized by most insur - ance companies as a medically prescribed treatment , it can usually be covered by insur - ance . Helping Hands Family has some of the largest providers in its network , such as Aetna , Blue Cross Blue Shield , Horizon and United Healthcare . Helping Hands Family and ABA therapy do not limit their focus to solely the children , either . Since the caregiver role can be so chal - lenging , family guidance and parent training are part of this program , as parents are taught the therapies and learn how to better interact with their kids . “ It’s a way of sharing the knowledge with them and making sure they feel supported , ” Helping Hands Family will open its first Weichelt says . “ This also enables them to clinic in Mount Laurel in September . continue the therapies at home for even better progress . ” dence - based treatment endorsed by the Helping Hands Family has an ambitious HEN THE 3 - YEAR - OLD BOY WAS United States Surgeon General . It is the core plan to continue its growth in the Northeast FIRST EVALUATED BY CRYSTAL treatment offered by Helping Hands Family , and become the go - to provider of ABA HARMS AND HER TEAM , NOT W a burgeoning organization set to open its therapy . The launching point is in Mount ONLY WAS HUMAN CONNECTION AN first clinic in Mount Laurel this September , Laurel , where families can expect a wel - ISSUE , but he was completely non - verbal with more soon to follow in Pennsylvania . coming environment filled with toys , crafts and unable to communicate even his basic “ As prescriptions for ABA therapy rise and a dedicated team . human needs . Introduced to Applied Behavior along with the increasing diagnoses of “ Crystal is such an amazing advocate for Analysis ( ABA ) therapy at the time , he went on Autism Spectrum Disorder , there are simply these kids , ” MacDonald says . “ It’s her pas - to work with Harms through elementary not enough ABA providers out there for the sion to see progress and she does everything school , gaining speech and improving his growing number of children who need this she can to help the families she is assigned social and learning skills . service . We intend to expand our services to . All of our therapists receive extensive When he entered a mainstream high and locations rapidly to fill that need , ” says training and they put the kids ’ needs first . school a few years later , the young man was Colleen MacDonald , marketing brand man - Our entire organization is committed to unrecognizable from the boy he had once ager for Helping Hands Family . helping our children and feels passionate been . He formed meaningful relationships Harms , who has more than 20 years about it . ” ? with fellow students and became an active of experience working with special needs member of the drama club , performing in children , is the clinical director of the Mount plays and musicals before graduating . Laurel location and leads an experienced As extraordinary as this example may Helping Hands Family and compassionate staff of board - certified sound , it is actually quite common among behavior analysts whose training exceeds children with autism who have received ABA 1001 Briggs Road , Suite 280 industry standards . Helping Hands Family therapy . Although it has been around since Mount Laurel serves children with autism between the ages the 1960s , ABA has become more widely of 18 months and 21 years , and treatment ( 484 ) 965 - 9966 | HHFamily.com used in the last five years and is the only evi - SUBURBANFAMILYMAG.COM volume 11 issue 6 SUBURBAN FAMILY 25