• AIM Educate – https://www.aimeducate.com/(https://www.aimeducate.com/) • CHRISTUS Downtown – https://www.christushealth.org/find-a-doctor/andrew-martinez-jr-72829(https://www.christushealth.org/find-a-doctor/andrew-martinez-jr-72829) • Dr. Fierro – https://providers.uthscsa.edu/providers/mario-a-fierro-1033172374/(https://providers.uthscsa.edu/providers/mario-a-fierro-1033172374/) • Dr. Harkins – https://www.castleconnolly.com/top-doctors/patricia-m-harkins-developmental-behavioral-pediatrics-101cc000603(https://www.castleconnolly.com/top-doctors/patricia-m-harkins-developmental-behavioral-pediatrics-101cc000603) • Dr. Phalen – https://www.universityhealth.com/providers/p/james-phalen-1568491272(https://www.universityhealth.com/providers/p/james-phalen-1568491272) • Dr. Villarreal CHRISTUS Sonterra – https://www.christushealth.org/find-a-doctor/veronica-villarreal-95861(https://www.christushealth.org/find-a-doctor/veronica-villarreal-95861?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=GMB&utm_campaign=website&y_source=1_Nzg5Njk4ODktNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D) • InMindOut Wellness Center – Maria Perez, PhD, https://inmindout.com/about/about-us-new-braunfels/(https://inmindout.com/about/about-us-new-braunfels/) • Mission Psychology – https://www.sa-mh.com/(https://www.sa-mh.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=wix_google_business_profile&utm_campaign=508980827729056137) • Monarch Behavioral Health – https://monarchbehavioral.net/(https://monarchbehavioral.net/) • The MAC at Morgan’s Wonderland – https://morgansmac.org/(https://morgansmac.org/) • THINK Neurology for Kids, Dr. Deforest – https://www.thinkkids.com/(https://www.thinkkids.com/) • Stonebridge Behavioral Health – https://www.stonebridgealliance.com/(https://www.stonebridgealliance.com/)

• The Whole Child Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics – Dr. Renee Rodriguez-D’Souza, https://thewholechilddbp.com/providers/(https://thewholechilddbp.com/providers/) • The Developmental Journey – Dr. Noel Mensah-Bonsu, https://www.thedevelopmentaljourney.com/(https://www.thedevelopmentaljourney.com/) • Pediatrix – https://www.pediatrix.com/find-care/practices/devmedhouston(https://www.pediatrix.com/find-care/practices/devmedhouston?) • Dan Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic – https://www.utphysicians.com/clinic/dan-l-duncan-childrens-neurodevelopmental-clinic-at-the-childrens-learning-institute/(https://www.utphysicians.com/clinic/dan-l-duncan-childrens-neurodevelopmental-clinic-at-the-childrens-learning-institute/) • Houston Specialty Clinic – https://www.houstonspecialtyclinic.com/services/autism(https://www.houstonspecialtyclinic.com/services/autism) • THINK Neurology for Kids – https://www.thinkkids.com/(https://www.thinkkids.com/)

Bruinsma, Y.E., Minjarez, M. B., Schreibman, L., & Stahmer, A. C. (2020). Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder.(https://www.amazon.com/Naturalistic-Developmental-Behavioral-Interventions-Spectrum/dp/168125204X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21LNM9QDXK567&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0UC7RHsU0jnUFWifl9_2hiN0k3O380EY5vbBuGNWtcVydfdLwZx5i3vCc90ip-ob.AihEJ7z8dXtKNDvbPQVxxHzn478xn1_fWG-kw4EXzvw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Naturalistic+Developmental+Behavioral+Interventions+for+Autism+Spectrum+Disorder&qid=1709770275&s=books&sprefix=naturalistic+developmental+behavioral+interventions+for+autism+spectrum+disorder%2Cstripbooks%2C106&sr=1-1) Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company. Koegel, L. K. E., Koegel, R. L., & Dunlap, G. E. (1996). Positive Behavioral Support: Including People with Difficult Behavior in the Community.(https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Behavioral-Support-Including-Difficult/dp/1557662282/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WV8YALKG05SC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rfeFyThVFh9nbnd-yv0MJJ3-GzdfQ7aY_jbudTLbUrZpCRhtJqJssnn5DNcjC5ems82Ky8yVLFb-IzsiZKe80w.puzEKqFKPeqVluIwo-Ib7BlEI45KjC6drZJMksRBiH0&dib_tag=se&keywords=behavior+support+koegel&qid=1709769943&s=books&sprefix=behavior+support+koegel%2Cstripbooks%2C102&sr=1-1) Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company. Koegel, R. L., & Koegel, L. K. (2012). The PRT Pocket Guide: Pivotal Response Treatment for Children with Autism.(https://www.amazon.com/The-PRT-Pocket-Guide-Treatment/dp/1598571052) Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company. Pepper, J., & Weitzman, E. (2004). It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide For Parents of Children with Language Delays.(https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Two-Talk-Practical-Children/dp/0921145527/ref=asc_df_0921145527/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312154663427&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2307246823067641593&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028094&hvtargid=pla-418652488078&psc=1&mcid=a966cba36e4e34ca95cbfe56ea58bfdb&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWPuwNV930F66b1C2r38rvFMcU0KaE_URbBaA8RzK079I6Iu1EeZiJRoCvagQAvD_BwE) The Hanen Centre. Rogers, S. J., Dawson, G., & Vismara, L. A. (2012). An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn.(https://www.guilford.com/books/An-Early-Start-for-Your-Child-with-Autism/Rogers-Dawson-Vismara/9781609184704) Guilford Press. Sussman, F. (2012). More Than Words: A Parents Guide to Building Interaction and Language Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties.(https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Words-Fern-Sussman/dp/0921145411/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1536091517&sr=1-1&keywords=more+than+words&dpID=51554vBio-L&preST=SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40&dpSrc=srch)

Autism Speaks Toolkits: https://www.autismspeaks.org/parent(https://www.autismspeaks.org/parent) Association for Science in Autism Treatment:https://asatonline.org/(https://asatonline.org/) Autism Society: https://autismsociety.org/(https://autismsociety.org/) Autism Research Institute: https://autism.org/(https://autism.org/) Disability Scoop: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/<(https://www.disabilityscoop.com/) National Autism Association: https://nationalautismassociation.org/(https://nationalautismassociation.org/)

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation: https://www.uhccf.org/(https://www.uhccf.org/) Autism Care Today: https://www.act-today.org/(https://www.act-today.org/) National Autism Association of North Texas: https://www.naa-nt.org/support/scholarships-and-grants/(https://www.naa-nt.org/support/scholarships-and-grants/) CARE Autism Foundation: https://careautismfoundation.com/family-funds/(https://careautismfoundation.com/family-funds/) Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas: https://www.masonichometx.org/(https://www.masonichometx.org/) Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES): https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/special-education/parent-directed-special-education-services-pdses(https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/special-education/parent-directed-special-education-services-pdses)

Any Baby Can San Antonio: https://www.anybabycansa.org/(https://www.anybabycansa.org/) Alamo Area Council of Governments: https://www.aacog.com/(https://www.aacog.com/) Autism Lifeline Links: https://autismlifelinelinks.org/(https://autismlifelinelinks.org/) Morgan’s Multi-Assistance Center: https://morgansmac.org/(https://morgansmac.org/) Autism Society of Texas Houston: https://www.texasautismsociety.org/tag/houston/(https://www.texasautismsociety.org/tag/houston/) Autism Moms of Houston:https://www.autismmomsofhouston.org/(https://www.autismmomsofhouston.org/) We Rock the Spectrum: https://www.werockthespectrumkidsgym.com/locations/(https://www.werockthespectrumkidsgym.com/locations/) Pediatric Constellations: https://www.pediatricconstellations.com/(https://www.pediatricconstellations.com/)

Council for Autism Service Providers: https://www.casproviders.org/(https://www.casproviders.org/) Behavior Analyst Certification Board for BCBAs and RBTs: https://www.bacb.com/(https://www.bacb.com/) American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/(https://www.apa.org/) Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council: https://progressivebehavioranalyst.org/(https://progressivebehavioranalyst.org/) Texas Association for Behavior Analysis TxABA: https://www.txaba.org/(https://www.txaba.org/) The Autism Commission on Quality: https://autismcommission.org/(https://autismcommission.org/)

Blossom is currently in-network and accepting clients through the following funding sources and insurance plans: • Aetna • Blue Cross Blue Shield • United Healthcare • Humana • Community First (UHS Employees plans/commercial plans) • *not Medicaid • Tricare • Beacon • Private Pay

Upon starting enrollment with our intake team, clients are supported and guided through the funding process by our Billing Specialist. For any questions ahead or throughout the enrollment process or general funding/insurance questions, please contact our Billing Department at (210)-587-6909.

Currently we are not in-network with Medicaid. We apologize for the inconvenience! However, changes are pending! You can stay up to date on this here: https://txaba.org/announcements/(https://txaba.org/announcements/)

The spectrum of challenges and symptoms of ASD range from mild to severe. Common signs of ASD are: • Avoidance of eye contact • Delayed language development • Restricted interests • Resistance to minor changes in routines • Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.) • Persistent preference for solitude For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org/signs-autism.(https://www.autismspeaks.org/signs-autism)

As a treatment approach, our foundation is in play.(https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/aba-therapy/) While the general structure of days is relatively consistent (pick-up/drop-off time, therapist switches, lunch, etc.), what activities make up a day change all the time because we follow each child’s current motivation to achieve accelerated results!(https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/aba-therapy/) For example, one day we may have a client who is really motivated to do an obstacle course while in another moment that same client wants to play an imaginary monster game. Motivation changes minute to minute so our days tend to look different every single day. What can be expected in a day at Blossom (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/)is FUN, lots of FUN!!!

Each day at Blossom for our kiddos looks different than the one before. While arrival, therapist switches, lunch and pick-up times are consistent, the activities that occur within each day depend on the kiddo and their preferences. At Blossom, we rely on the motivation, desires and individualized skill needs to guide their day.

The first day at Blossom is approached with the understanding that it’s a transition and a new place! On the first day, you will meet your therapist team and see your child’s assigned therapy room. We will ensure that all the necessary items are available (change of clothes, lunch, snacks, etc.) for your child during the day. Programming will start the first day of treatment but our clinicians prepare for this accordingly so that the environment remains reinforcing and motivating. You will get a full report of the day and data will be available via your Rethink parent portal.

The Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) (https://www.bacb.com/rbt/)is a paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. RBTs assist in delivering behavior analysis services and practice under the direction and close supervision of an RBT Supervisor and/or an RBT Requirements Coordinator, who are responsible for all work RBTs perform (Bacb.com). At Blossom,(https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/our-team/) our RBTs complete an additional training that is performance-based (not time-based) so that when they complete training, they are qualified to deliver services.

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/our-team/)at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services (Bacb.com)(https://www.bacb.com/bcba/)

1 in 44 (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html)(https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html)

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html(https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html)

While ABA is effective at any point, the optimal time to enter a comprehensive ABA program (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/aba-therapy/)is as soon as possible. We recommend entry between 0-6 years old!

The duration in ABA services (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/aba-therapy/)in highly individualized (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/our-values/)to each child’s unique needs. At Blossom, we constantly track and analyze our kiddos progress so parents know that they are consistently making progress and if not, problem solving occurs immediately. By tracking outcomes, our kiddos can meet their goals quickly and more efficiently!

Yes! Parents and caregivers are a huge priority to our approach. It’s important that the treatment team (BCBAs, RBTs, parents and other caregivers) has ongoing communication so that we can problem solve and implement teaching that is meaningful to your kiddo. Our BCBAs are available to problem solve anything happening at home, in the community and any other setting parents need assistance with! In addition to ongoing communication, parents are also included in at least (could be more) 2 hours of parent/caregiver sessions (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/parent-caregiver-support/)monthly. These may be in session or out of session, it just depends on what the current needs/priorities are! Lastly, we have an open-door policy- parents are welcome to shadow sessions anytime and we conduct parent support groups (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/parent-caregiver-support/)once a month!

While there are definitely some cross-overs and similarities between play-based ABA and play therapy, it’s important to provide clarity to the differences! Within a play-based ABA model, clear, objective and individualized treatment goals are established and worked towards. Data and ongoing progress monitoring is a core component to a play-based ABA model. • https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/faq/what-is-play-therapy/ • https://www.verywellmind.com/play-therapy-definition-types-techniques-5194915

The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured, standardized assessment instrument that includes many play-based activities designed to obtain information in the areas of communication, reciprocal social interactions, and restricted and repetitive behaviors associated with a diagnosis of ASD.

ABA targets any deficit related to an autism diagnosis. Some examples of skills areas that Blossom targets are increasing language, increasing nonverbal behaviors (gestures/imitation skills), increasing joint attention skills, increasing executive functioning skills, increasing abilities related to developing and maintaining relationships.

In session, we like to utilize toys that that have multiple pieces and parts and toys/activities that encourage continuous back and forth engagement. Examples of this are: blocks, marble maze, bubbles, puzzles, etc.

A developmental pediatrician specializes in childhood development. Typically, a pediatrician will refer to a developmental pediatrician (https://www.blossomcenterforchildren.com/aba-therapy/diagnostic-providers/)if there are any concerns or issues that arise in terms of delays. A developmental pediatrician will then conduct screenings/tests (if needed) and then make referrals/recommendations as they are needed and appropriate.