Therapy in demand From the cover
22 | 23 Rise With ABA 24 BrightPath Behavior 25 Learning Continuum Therapy Center 26 Positive Behavior Supports Corporation Open ABA centers without confirmed opening dates
ABA centers by year established 1 Social Connections Learning Center 2 Behavioral Innovations 3 Essential Speech and ABA Therapy 4 Diverse Kids 5 Apara Autism Center 6 Chance ABA 7 Intricate Pieces ABA 8 Tibs for Kids 9 Life Skills Autism Academy 10 Behavioral Innovations 11 Individualized Intervention ABA 12 Success on the Spectrum 13 BlueSprig Katy South 14 ACES ABA - Autism Therapy Center 15 Reliant ABA Therapy, Inc. 16 Catalyst Behavior Solutions 17 Success On The Spectrum 18 Behavioral Innovations 19 Texas ABA Centers 20 Essential Speech and ABA Therapy 21 Harmony ABA
27 Shine Behavior Services LLC 28 TYAP - Texas Young Autism Project 29 | 30 Action Behavior Centers 31 Fast Track ABA Center 32 Action Behavior Centers 33 | 34 Katy ABA Center of Texas
The gist
Founded in 2019, Individualized Intervention began offering in-home applied behavioral analysis, or ABA, therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Houston, founder and behavioral analyst Shamim Juma said. As demand grew with families returning to work, she opened a clinic in the Energy Corridor, followed by a Katy location in 2022. A third clinic is set to open in Brookshire in June. “There’s been exponential growth in the field along with awareness of ABA therapy because there’s just simply a rise in the [autism] prevalence rate,” Juma said. “Our growth has been guided by where families live, work and attend school—especially elementary schools—since we specialize in pediatric therapies.” ABA is a goal-driven, data-based therapy that uses positive reinforcement, gaining popularity for its personalized, one-on- one approach—especially for children with autism, said David Wahlquist, behavioral analyst and center director for BlueSprig Katy-South. Despite there being nearly 40 centers in the Katy-Fulshear area, providers say demand for these centers still exceeds capacity. Juma said staffing shortages and high insurance- related costs remain major barriers to families who live in areas with these centers.
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NOTE: THIS LIST IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE. SOURCE: LOCAL ABA CENTERS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
2022. Texas has higher rates, with an estimated 1 in 28 children receiving the diagnosis. At the local level, Texas Education Agency data shows a rise in the number and percentage of Katy and Lamar CISD students receiving behavioral health services, with the number of students receiving autism services doubling from 2016-17 to 2023-24 school years.
What’s happening?
How ABA therapy works
In 2000, approximately 1 in 150 children had autism nationwide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since then, CDC data shows the prevalence has grown to 1 in 31 children nationwide in
Behavioral technician works with one child at a time Behavior analyst customizes interventions to the individual’s
culture, goals and environment Parent coaching sessions could occur often Encouragement and tailored
Katy ISD students enrolled with disabilities
Lamar CISD students enrolled with disabilities
Intellectual disabilities Behavioral disabilities
Autism
Intellectual disabilities Behavioral disabilities
Autism
prompts help build independence Accepts and supports behaviors as valid forms of self-regulation or interest Ensure every child has a reliable way to express themselves, make choices Social skills or behavior changes should be taught only if they benefit the client in a meaningful way
5K 15K 10K
2K 6K 4K
+143.8%
+190.25%
0
0
SOURCE: DAVID WAHLQUIST/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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