{"id":467,"date":"2020-02-14T14:53:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T14:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maryfreebed.com?post_type=conditions&#038;p=467"},"modified":"2025-11-20T15:16:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T15:16:06","slug":"autism","status":"publish","type":"conditions","link":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/conditions\/autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"tags":[370,796,795,110,794,791],"modal_window":[17,18],"class_list":["post-467","conditions","type-conditions","status-publish","hentry","tag-autism","tag-autism-care","tag-childrens-autism","tag-kids","tag-kids-autism","tag-rehab","modal_window-home-conditions-services","modal_window-kids-specialty-programs"],"acf":{"kids_branding":true,"title_override":"Autism","individual_page_toggle":true,"overview_tab":{"tab_title":"","body_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content_and_image_overlap","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content_and_image_overlap":{"text_holder":{"content":"Research shows that early intervention can make a significant difference in a child\u2019s healthy development. The Mary Free Bed Kids Autism Program offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services\u2014including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy\u2014to support your child\u2019s growth and independence.\r\n\r\nOur compassionate experts combine clinical skill with heartfelt care to assess your child\u2019s potential and help them thrive."},"image":106020}},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_right_and_image_left","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"image_fit":"cover","image_zoom":false,"image":106019,"text_holder":{"content_editor":"<h2><strong>Autism Diagnosis and Evaluation<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nUnderstanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder often appear before the age of two. Common signs may include delayed language development, repetitive or restrictive behaviors or difficulties with social interaction.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nApproved Autism Evaluation Centers (AAEC)\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Mary Free Bed, an Approved Autism Evaluation Center (AAEC), provides diagnostic services at our Grand Rapids Campus and in Bay City.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Before starting treatment, a diagnosis from an AAEC is required by Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Care Network. All patients must receive an autism diagnosis to qualify for ABA therapy.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>We offer AAEC evaluations, ASD testing\/ADHD testing and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/specialties\/physical-therapy\/\">physical therapy<\/a> as well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/specialties\/occupational-therapy\/\">occupational therapy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/specialties\/speech-therapy\/\">speech therapy<\/a> services at our location!<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nCall the location nearest you to check insurance coverage and availability."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_left_and_image_right","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"image_fit":"cover","image_zoom":false,"text_holder":{"content_editor":"<h2><strong>Autism Treatment and Therapy Services<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nOur team develops personalized treatment plans tailored to your child\u2019s strengths, challenges and unique goals. We focus on improving daily function and social engagement through strategies that enhance:\r\n\r\n\u2022 Functional communication\r\n\u2022 Social and play skills\r\n\u2022 Alternative strategies for challenging behaviors\r\n\u2022 Cooperation and independence with daily living skills"},"image":106023},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content_editor":"<h2><strong>Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<blockquote>Supervised by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), ABA therapy is an intensive evidence-based treatment technique for autism.<\/blockquote>\r\nWhat Is ABA Therapy?\r\n\r\nSupervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), ABA is an approach rooted in the science of behavior, which helps explain how behaviors develop and how learning takes place. ABA utilizes evidence-based strategies that have been proven to be effective and impactful in teaching meaningful skills.\r\n\r\nABA is a therapeutic approach to learning that seeks to improve the lives of individuals by teaching meaningful skills that will support improved independence. At Mary Free Bed, we prioritize personal values and social validity when deciding which ABA strategies would be most impactful.\r\n\r\nTreatment plans use positive reinforcement and structured techniques to help improve overall functioning and everyday life. Sessions take place in a safe, supportive environment and may include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>One-on-one therapy with a registered behavior technician (RBT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Social skills training with peers of similar age<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Caregiver education and coaching for home success<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Collaboration with schools and community support systems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Additional therapies such as occupational, speech and feeding therapy are available at select locations.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><\/h2>\r\n<h2><strong>Personalized Goals and Family Collaboration<\/strong><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\nEach child requires individualized care and specific goals that match their skills and challenges. Our behavior analysts collaborate with families and other professionals involved in a child's life to best prioritize the skills that will support their independence.\r\n\r\nWe recommend a schedule that suits the child's needs and takes into consideration the other important commitments a family may value. Frequency of ABA visits and length of visit will depend on the child's needs, family needs, and specific barriers they present. Examples of these personalized goals include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Establish and improve communication skills<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop appropriate social and relationship skills<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Build adaptive and self-help skills<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Establish alternatives to challenging or unsafe behaviors<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Improve tolerance skills for daily living (like visits to the dentist or doctor).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><\/h2>\r\n<h2><strong>Eligibility and Age Range<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe Mary Free Bed Kids Autism Program serves children and teens from 18 months to 18 years. Availability may vary by location. Please contact the program nearest you for more information on evaluations, scheduling and insurance coverage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2><strong>Why Families Choose Mary Free Bed Kids Autism Program<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nFamilies trust Mary Free Bed for our collaborative approach, individualized care and dedication to helping children achieve meaningful progress. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with families to create a supportive, nurturing environment where every child can learn, grow and succeed."}]},"your_experience_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","left_content":"","right_content":"","body_sections":null},"meet_your_team_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","content":"","body_sections":null,"meet_your_team_blocks":""},"outpatient_experience_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","content":"","body_sections":null},"services_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","content":"","services_offered":""},"faq_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","body_sections":null}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conditions\/467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conditions"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/conditions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=467"},{"taxonomy":"modal_window","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/modal_window?post=467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}