Key Learning Autism Center

09/01/2025

08/06/2025

08/03/2025

Thank you to Ben Conley and The Dominion Post for their story about the proposed funding elimination for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and other important disability services in the state!

"The WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities has been the foundation for developing, testing and sustaining evidence-based trainings and services that help West Virginians with disabilities achieve independence and a better quality of life — building a support system that the community and state depend on, " WVU CED Director Lesley Cottrell said.

In addition to the services, loss of funding would eliminate 96 jobs and likely eliminate more than $11 million in additional funding leveraged through the federal allocation.

Read the full story: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wvu-center-excellence-disabilities-facing-023400563.html

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Disability Rights of West Virginia

07/31/2025

🚨🚨🚨 FREE 🖥 VIRTUAL 💻 EVENT! 🚨🚨🚨

We are SO excited to invite you to our upcoming virtual presentation: Modeling Expected Behaviors to Children, presented by one of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Renee Starnes. We're offering TWO options:

📅 August 11th: 6pm-7pm and
📅 August 13th: 2pm-3pm (both EST)

This presentation is open to EVERYONE, ANYWHERE! 😍

This content provides a great opportunity to learn practical strategies rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). 👩‍🏫

NO RSVP IS NEEDED FOR THIS FREE EVENT! 🤩

Links are included below in the flyer for each date. If you would like a calendar invitation to be sent to you, please email Sarah Bendekovits, PhD., BCBA-D, LBA and Clinical Director of ABA Services -- Washington County, MD and Parts of WV at:

📧 sbendekovits@achievingtrueself.com

Hope to see you there!

07/06/2025

We are thrilled to announce that the moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here!

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the SteppingStones “Playground For All!” This incredible new playground represents years of dreaming, planning, and building — and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

📅 Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: SteppingStones Playground For All, Mylan Park (details in the attached flyer)

This fully inclusive playground is a fun-filled, beautiful place where children and families of all abilities can play and grow together. Help us open the gates to a space that truly represents inclusion, community, and fun!

Please see the attached flyer for all the details. We hope to see you there!

07/02/2025

Author and photo credit to Dr. Susannah Poe

06/29/2025

Please help advocate for the CED by sharing this post and talking to your legislators.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 19.5% of West Virginia's population has a disability.

The WVU CED provided over 400,000 free services and trained over 15,000 people last year. These services are at risk of being eliminated if the new federal budget moves forward unchanged. Check out our Protect Disability Network Digital Toolkit to see how you can get involved if you so choose and help support University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) like the WVU CED.

View the toolkit: https://cedwvu.org/protect-disability-network-digital-toolkit/

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Disability Rights of West Virginia
Administration for Community Living
National Disability Rights Network

06/18/2025

Please share this and contact your legislators. This is something near and dear to our heart. The founders of Key Learning Autism Center first discovered Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA) for children with autism at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU. The U.S. President's proposed budget would eliminate the WVU CED and all University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) in the country 😖

Our friends, family and neighbors with disabilities deserve dignity and to receive services where and when they choose. Services at the WVU CED help West Virginians with disabilities be as independent as possible and participate in their communities.

The U.S. President's proposed budget would eliminate the WVU CED and all University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) in the country.

Check out our Protect Disability Network Digital Toolkit for info and resources to help support the WVU CED if you so choose: https://cedwvu.org/protect-disability-network-digital-toolkit/



Association of University Centers on Disabilities
WV Statewide Independent Living Council
Disability Rights of West Virginia
National Disability Rights Network

06/09/2025

So proud of our former employee Isabel who is now accepting new clients at Little Minds Speech Therapy LLC.

We are pleased to formally introduce our newest Speech Language Pathologist. Isabel is now accepting new clients at Little Minds Speech Therapy!
Here's some information to help you get acquainted with Isabel! 🎉

My name is Isabel Iwanonkiw and I am so excited to be joining the Little Minds team!!! I have experience working with both the adult and pediatric population. I enjoyed my time with adults in an inpatient setting as well as children in school and outpatient setting. After experiencing many areas of the field it is clear to me that the younger population is where my passion lies. I hope to give every child the tools to communicate however that may look for them. My areas of speciality include articulation, developmental language disorders, and expressive and receptive language development. I am looking forward to getting to know not only my clients but their families as well to ensure a comprehensive plan for communication that carries beyond the therapy room.

I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA but have spent my last 6 years in Morgantown! Don’t worry I am not a fan of Pitt! I received my bachelors and masters degree from West Virginia University.

In my free time I enjoy going on walks, reading a good book, and working out! I also love Disney and Harry Potter.

05/30/2025

FREE virtual training for caregivers of children with autism! Get ready to dive into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and discover ways to support your child.
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What You'll Learn
You'll gain insights into teaching skills and managing challenging behavior. Our FREE, asynchronous video lessons are designed to be super flexible, so you can learn at your own pace whenever it works best for your family!

Topics we'll cover:
• Introduction to ABA: Get a clear and helpful understanding of what ABA is all about. Helping Your Child Communicate: Learn simple, effective strategies to help your child ask for what they want and need.
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYbmIevhTCwNT3HX-iwJj7-ucvJV40691
Quiz
https://uhcl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0fDcgbzwoFwwK6W

• Managing Challenging Behaviors: Discover ways to handle behaviors that might be to get items or attention.
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYbmIevhTCwOAn1J2VPN1CGCkxUsizsAO
Quiz
https://uhcl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eerdUlxVZ8duZ2S

• Boosting Cooperation: Make chore and homework time easier with techniques to increase cooperation and asking for a break.
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYbmIevhTCwOAvbrAVaPRwhAR8nX8lOvP
Quiz
https://uhcl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Zdgxv9cKaOMdtI

• Teaching Skills Through Play: Turn playtime into a learning experience!
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYbmIevhTCwOFEBIshYUjnzUPTxZkSXJs
Quiz
https://uhcl.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86z5uT5Phkb8yBo
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Accessing training is easy!
Bookmark this post and all you need to do is use direct links above to the videos and quizzes.

You can watch them anytime, anywhere – on your phone, tablet, or laptop!
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Got Questions? We're Here to Help!
Want to learn more about our services at the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities? Don't hesitate to reach out!
• Email us: connectingthedots@uhcl.edu
• Call us: 281-283-3319

05/02/2025

Happy 6th Anniversary KLAC! Three college students with a dream, an encouraging mentor and a family willing to take the financial risk to ensure the business could grow and expand. Here’s to many more years doing what we love! ❤️