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Center for Pediatric Therapies

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Center for Pediatric Therapies attends Autism Conference in Richmond

Representatives from the Center for Pediatric Therapies attended Commonwealth Autism’s 16th Annual Autism Conference: Optimize for Success on March 9, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. Kristen Houser Barker, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Executive Director of the Center for Pediatric Therapies was also a guest speaker at the conference. She led a break-out session titled “Introduction to Sensory Integration.”
Commonwealth Autism is a Richmond-based non-profit with the mission to build the capacity of the autism and developmental disability service provider network through leadership, innovation, example, and collaboration.  The Commonwealth Autism Annual Conference is an opportunity for parents, caregivers and professionals to come together and learn about a broad range of topics relevant to the topic of autism.
The Center for Pediatric Therapies is a full service pediatric rehabilitation provider, offering speech-langauge pathology, occupational therapy and physical therapy to children from birth to age 21 in Danville, Lynchburg, South Boston, Martinsville and Roanoke, Virginia. CPT established the Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism in 2004 to meet the growing need for intensive services for children with autism. Building Blocks is a private day school for children age 2 to 14 with autism.
In 2014, CPT entered into a capacity building partnership with Commonwealth Autism to enhance the quality of autism services available in the greater Danville area. This partnership represents a high level of commitment to increasing the education, training, and ongoing support for staff, with the goal of improving educational and behavioral outcomes for students at Building Blocks and for children with autism receiving therapy at CPT.
Pictured above (left to right): Ebony Coleman, BS, Lead Behavior Technician, Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism; Rachael Huggins, BS, RBT, Autism Specialist; Kristen Houser Barker, OTR/L, Executive Director; and Autumn Kaufman, MS, BCBA, LBA and Amanda Buchmeier, MS, BCBA, LBA, both of Commonwealth Autism.

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Caron Inglis brings expertise in behavior analysis to Building Blocks

Behavior analysis training at Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism
Caron Inglis, BCBA, provides training to other staff members

We are pleased to announce that Caron Inglis, MS, BCBA has joined the team at Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism.  Caron is an independent, board certified behavior analyst.  She will provide ongoing clinical and staff consultation in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Building Blocks recognizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the research-based method for successful treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Intensive instruction significantly increases the chances for gains in intellectual and social development. Helping children with ASD requires qualified and highly trained individuals working together with families.

Here is some background information on applied behavior analysis and autism:

Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.

Today, ABA is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for autism. It has been endorsed by a number of state and federal agencies… Over the last decade, the nation has seen a particularly dramatic increase in the use of ABA to help persons with autism live happy and productive lives. In particular, ABA principles and techniques can foster basic skills such as looking, listening and imitating, as well as complex skills such as reading, conversing and understanding another person’s perspective.

Source: www.AutismSpeaks.org

Caron’s experience, knowledge and skills have already made positive impacts with our students and staff. We look forward to working with Caron throughout the upcoming school year!

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Kamryn East, Assistant Special Education Teacher

Kamryn East, Special Education Teacher Assistant at Building Blocks Center for Autism in Danville, VirginiaKamryn East is an Special Education Teacher Assistant at Building Blocks Center for Autism.

Prior to joining the Building Blocks team in 2009, Kamryn earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University.  She also holds a Certificate of Completion for the Autism Spectrum Disorders for Paraprofessionals course offered by the Virginia Commonwealth University Autism Center for Excellence (VCU-ACE). [Read more…]

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Brandie Kendrick, Teacher

Brandie Kendrick, Behavioral Aide at Building Blocks Center for Autism in Danville, VirginiaBrandie Kendrick is a Special Education Teacher Assistant at Building Blocks Center for Autism, a Division of Center for Pediatric Therapies in Danville, Virginia. Brandie provides educational and case management services for students who attend Building Blocks.

Brandie earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from Averett University in Danville, Virginia.  She has been working with children with autism for since 2006.  Her career started as an in-home behavioral aide for children with special needs.  She has been a part of the Building Blocks team since 2007.

Outside of work, Brandie enjoys being a part of youth ministry at Crosspoint Church.  She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Charlie.

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Marcus Wilson, MAT, Teacher

Marcus Wilson, Teacher at Building Blocks Center for Children with AutismMarcus Wilson is a teacher at Building Blocks Center for Autism in Danville, Virginia. Marcus earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Liberty University. He is licensed in Elementary Education Pre-K – 6. Marcus has been a part of the Building Blocks team since 2010. Outside of work, Marcus enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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