When you walk into a MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy center, it may appear the kids there are playing and having a good time, and they are.
But every item they are using serves a purpose. The toys, and play areas are part of a therapy called “Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA.
“The things we work on in ABA are increasing communication, increasing social interaction, and independence with daily tasks,” said Deanna Coker, director of ABA Services at MetroEHS.
She said they use this play-based form of therapy to enhance the lives of children with disabilities, such as autism, a disorder many have heard of, but may not completely understand.
“Typically characterized by an impairment in communication and social interaction and we often see repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior as well,” Coker said.
She explained that some of the early signs they see in kids include lack of eye contact, lack of facial expressions, lack of communication, and lack of interest in interacting with others. MetroEHS offers help to increase these abilities, and prepare children for school, by offering the ABA therapy, as well physical, occupational, speech, and mental health services.
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