Highlands Health System has Created a Center for Autism to Serve Eastern Kentucky.
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Shelli Deskins, Ph.D.
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In September 2008, Highlands Health System began consulting with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism (CCCA) to open a year round day treatment center for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This endeavor resulted in the creation of the Highlands Center for Autism in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. This relationship will enable us to mirror CCCA’s program in eastern Kentucky and give us access to leaders in the field of autism.
Our philosophy at Highlands Center for Autism is that children deserve the opportunity to laugh and play and become healthy, happy and productive adults. In order for children with ASD to reach these goals, it is important that children and their families have access to specially designed intervention and support. This intervention involves the use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is an approach based upon decades of solid research and is used to address academic, adaptive, communicative, social, and behavioral needs. At Highlands Center for Autism, children are treated as individuals, hence, programming is tailored to meet each child’s specific needs. Data are taken on every skill taught and analyzed on a daily basis so that programming modifications can be made when indicated. Furthermore, the Center is committed to working closely with other professionals, such as speech language pathologists, educators, and pediatricians in order to provide an optimal level of care.
As director of the Highlands Center for Autism, I am so excited that children in our area who are diagnosed with ASD and their families now have access to research based treatment—treatment that maximizes independence and functioning in the real world. I look forward to working with community partners and professionals to provide the high quality treatment that our children deserve. Thank you for your interest in the Highlands Center for Autism. If you would like further information, please give us a call.
Regards,
Shelli Deskins, Ph.D.