ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A new autism clinic for children has opened in Allentown.
Mission Autism Clinics offers services to ages 2 to 6 who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program provides therapies to help improve behavioral and social skills.
The new facility at 7350 Tilghman St. is 13,000 square feet, and plans are to hire 35 staff members to be on site. Doors open to patients Monday.
- Mission Autism Clinics opened on Tilghman Street in Allentown
- Services are offered to ages 2 to 6 who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- The clinic is looking to hire 35 people to staff the facility
Center Chief Executive Officer Paul DeAngelo Jr. said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday that it's not about "curing" the children, but instead teaching them to be themselves while realizing their full potential.
"These kids and families can have a positive impact on society, and the stigma behind [autism] is what we're really hoping to reduce."
Center Chief Executive Officer Paul DeAngelo Jr.
ealthh"We're trying to educate more and more people in the community," DeAngelo said. "These kids and families can have a positive impact on society, and the stigma behind [autism] is what we're really hoping to reduce."
Focus on behavior
On the center's walls, there are signs posted that read uplifting messages such as "dream big," "shine bright" and "I can do anything!"
"We work, specifically, with a therapy called ABA — Applied Behavioral Analysis," DeAngelo said. "So we focus on working through their behaviors that bring out things like communication and vocalization."
"A lot of our kids have difficulties transitioning and staying on a schedule during the day, so we work on reducing those behaviors."
The main purpose of the center is to prepare children for their transition into conventional schooling and life overall after the age of 6.
DeAngelo said he is constantly amazed at what the "kiddos," as he calls them, are capable of — when they are given the proper tools.
Work on social skills
“It's a program that is anywhere up to 35 hours per week,” clinic marketing specialist Ellen Brennan said.
“It's a lot of working on social skills, working on behavior management, positive reinforcement, just like learning the basic things that prepare children to go to preschool and to go to kindergarten,” Brennan said.
She said children must have a diagnosis to enroll in the program, which is covered by some insurance companies.
Around the center are a series of different rooms — one for sensory therapy, which includes "fidget toys" designed to provide kids living with autism stimulus — in a safe and controlled environment.
There also is a social room, where children can make friends and socialize, as well as a nap room and a specially equipped room for children with sensory concerns. That includes dimmed lights and blue beanie-bag chairs where they can relax and unwind.
The new clinic on Tilghman Street will be its third location in the Lehigh Valley and the company’s 13th clinic overall. The first was opened in Pittston, Luzerne County, in 2020.