Turning Point ABA Clinic

09/08/2025

09/08/2025

Let’s take a look at the how and most importantly *why* the numbers of Autism diagnosis have increased over time. Remember = more autism diagnosis does not equal more autistic people.

Note: the two biggest “jumps” come 1️⃣ After Autism was added to the DSM and then 2️⃣ When the diagnostic criteria increased, allowing more people access to an Autism diagnosis.

If we used the same criteria as 1970 (“extreme social withdrawal, obsessive desire for sameness, lack of speech/highly unusual speech patterns”) we would have significantly less diagnosed people. If we also only determined who was Autistic based off of teacher questionnaires or medical documentation from people who have never heard of Autism, especially at a time when disabled people were hidden from society, we’d ALSO have significantly less numbers of diagnosed people. Put those two together and that’s how early prevalence numbers were captured.

09/07/2025

Being a BCBA isn’t easy — but it’s never meaningless. It’s showing up. Shaping futures. One moment at a time. This isn’t just a job. It’s a calling.

09/07/2025

On average in the U.S., 7 children with die each month after wandering or eloping from all types & levels of supervision. It often happens silently and quickly, usually by drowning or traffic-related accidents.

Many are nonspeaking, making it hard for them to ask for help or even respond when found. Your ability to recognize the behavioral differences and act quickly can potentially save a life.

Suspect A Child May Have Autism? Here's What You Can Do:

1. Do not assume the child is okay just because they are calm. Children with autism may not show fear even in dangerous situations.
2. Approach slowly and calmly. Sudden movements or loud voices can cause distress or flight.
3. Offer something familiar or comforting. Hold out food, water, a smartphone, or a tablet if available. These items may help gain the child’s attention or create a sense of safety.
4. Avoid physical contact unless the child is in immediate danger.
5. Use simple language and a gentle tone. Even if they do not respond, they may still understand.
6. Call 911. Describe the child's appearance, location, and any behaviors you observe.
7. Stay with them. Ensure the child doesn’t enter roads or water until help arrives.

09/07/2025

🍂🍁🍃🎃🍂🍁🍃

Source: Instagram

09/07/2025

All of us are in this together! Let's spread critical awareness with kindness & respect.

Over the past several weeks, there has been a concerning rise in incidents involving students with eloping/wandering from school grounds, mainly during unstructured times such as recess & transitions. Tragically, some of these incidents have resulted in loss of life.

Recent incidents include:

• South Carolina: A student with autism wandered away from the playground during a transition to lunch and was later found safe
• New York: A 5-year-old student with autism climbed a playground fence and left campus before being found safe
• Pennsylvania: A 5-year-old student was located by drone seven hours after wandering/eloping from school during recess
• New York: A 15-year-old student with autism was struck & killed by a vehicle after wandering/eloping from school

We love our schools and teachers -- so many go above and beyond! No one ever plans for this to happen. Sadly, since the start of the last school year, three students with autism have died after eloping from school settings. We must make everyone aware.

Steps Recommended:

• Review and reinforce supervision protocols, especially during recess and transitions
• Ensure staff have the support they need and are trained on elopement risks, especially for students with autism (NAA offers virtual training)
• Assess and improve physical barriers (fences, self-latching gates, etc.)
• Conduct individualized safety planning for students with known elopement risks and assign additional aides where necessary

We believe awareness alone can do so much to prevent tragedies, but we ask that schools please take additional, critical steps to review and strengthen autism elopement prevention/response protocols.

09/05/2025

09/04/2025

Compassionate ABA isn’t about softening expectations—it’s about meeting families where they are. 💙 It starts with listening, building trust, and partnering with parents to support real growth.

📖 Read more in our latest blog here: https://howtoaba.com/compassionate-aba-intake-how-to-build-trust-from-the-first-meeting/
✨ Don’t miss our FREE event, Compassionate Competence, on Tuesday, September 30 at 7 PM ET. Sign up now: www.howtoaba.com/compassion

09/03/2025

The Cass City Rotary will be hosting Barb Smith from the Barb Smith Su***de Resource & Response Network at the Rawson Memorial Library on September 13, 2025 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Additional information can be found at her website: https://srrn.net/

09/03/2025

EDIT: Tickets have been claimed!

TIGERS FANS! ⚾️

We have 2 tickets to TODAY'S GAME we are giving away for FREE!

Tigers vs Mets
Game Time: 1:10 PM

Comment on this post to claim them, they are first come first served. ⚾️

09/02/2025

09/02/2025

Shout out to our August RBTs!

Krystine Langmaid passed the RBT exam on 8/12/25
Jalene Krol passed the RBT exam on 8/18/25
Amanda Starnes passed the RBT exam on 8/28/25

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼