Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) announces the opening of an early intervention autism clinic in Hattiesburg. The clinic is operated under the guidance of Dr. Jim Moore, BCBA-D, who serves as Canopy’s statewide Director of Autism Solutions.
“Today, one in 59 kids is receiving a diagnosis of autism,” said Moore. “While autism in many ways is still a mystery, we know that gaining access to intensive, early intervention Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, especially beginning during the pre-school ages, has a substantial benefit to a child on the autism spectrum.”
Canopy’s autism clinics offer intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children beginning at 18 months old. Intensive therapy includes participation in therapeutic sessions for upwards of 25 hours per week. The staff includes multiple Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and registered behavior technicians (RBTs) specially trained in ABA therapy. Therapists and behavior analysts are able to work with children to address behavior and safety issues, communication and speech, developmental barriers, sensory challenges and more.
“Mississippi’s population of individuals with autism includes more than 11,000 kids,” said John D. Damon, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Canopy. “We are in a crisis because Mississippi simply doesn’t have enough certified professionals to address the needs of our autism population. Canopy has made a concerted effort to increase our capacity to serve the autism community. We are the largest single-employer of BCBAs in the state and we are thrilled to be expanding to serve families in the Hattiesburg area. When we can reach kids at the right time (as early as possible), and serve them at the right intensity and for the proper duration for their needs, we see their lives, and their families’ lives, transformed.”
The Autism Solutions Clinic-Hattiesburg, located in the Open Door Community Center at 2180 Oak Grove Road, is currently accepting applications for enrollment. For more information about enrollment or Autism Solutions offered through Canopy, contact a Canopy Care Coordinator at 800-388-6247 or visit www.mycanopy.org.
ABOUT CANOPY CHILDREN’S SOLUTIONS Canopy’s mission is to help children thrive and families overcome extraordinary challenges by providing a comprehensive continuum of behavioral health, educational, and social service solutions. For more than 100 years, Canopy has provided innovative solutions to many of Mississippi’s most vulnerable youth. Today, we have grown into a robust network of statewide programs. Learn more at mycanopy.org.
ABOUT CANOPY AUTISM SOLUTIONS: Canopy Children’s Solutions is a leader in autism solutions with comprehensive programs spanning early intervention therapy, educational solutions and ABA solutions for children on the autism spectrum. Canopy Autism Solutions is the single largest employer of board certified behavior analysts, including two Johns Hopkins-trained Ph.D.-level clinicians. Autism solutions are provided through the Jackson-based Center of Excellence, CARES Schools in Hattiesburg and Jackson, and an early intervention clinic in Hattiesburg. The clinics are innovative leaders for the “Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge” (PEAK) autism curriculum. The clinic at the Center of Excellence currently performs more PEAK assessments and intervention programs than any other clinic in the world. For more information, please contact 800-388-6247 or visit mycanopy.org.