Joy F Johnson, MEd, MS, BCBA

07/28/2025

🎉 FREE TEEN SOCIAL GROUP 🎉
Hosted by Spectrum Support

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2025
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Spectrum Support (2 Hamill Road, Suite 225, Baltimore, MD 21210)
👥 Who: Teens ages 12–16

⸻

✨ This Week’s Activity: DRIP BEARS!
🎨 We’ll be making colorful drip bears – a fun, creative craft where everyone gets to design and decorate their own unique bear to take home!

Plus:
✅ Conversation games to practice starting and joining chats naturally
✅ Team challenges to build friendship and cooperation
✅ Food & snacks for a relaxed, social hangout

⸻

🌟 Why Join?
• A safe, supportive space to connect with peers
• Hands-on art & craft time
• Build social skills while having fun

⸻

📩 RSVP is required – Space is limited!
👉 Email: spectrumsupport@joyfjohnson.com
👉 Call/Text: (443) 360-0300

07/04/2025

Spectrum Support is honored to be a part of providing that care—HE IS Thriving!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AwWeiEMxw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/29/2025

Thought we were past this—
but just last week, a clinician contacted me for support and used the terms “high-functioning” and “low-functioning.”

Let’s be clear:
These labels are outdated, inaccurate, and often damaging.

Let’s retire the “high” and “low” functioning labels.

They’re not clinical.
They’re not helpful.
And they often do more harm than good.

Everyone—regardless of where their support needs fall—deserves respect, autonomy, and individualized support.

Stop labeling.
Start listening.

05/11/2025

Unfortunately, affirming and assent-based ABA is not yet the standard—but it should be.
Too many families are told that support requires sacrifice: their child’s autonomy, comfort, or identity.

That’s not support.
That’s compliance culture.

This series helps families ask better questions, spot red flags, and advocate for care that respects their child’s whole self.

Because your child deserves safety, joy, and respect—not just services.

05/09/2025

If I walked into an NAACP meeting and didn’t see any Black people, I’d walk out.

So why do we accept organizations that serve the Autistic community without Autistic leadership?

Autistic voices must be present, empowered, and paid.
ABA and every organization claiming to support Autistic people needs to employ Autistic people.
Full stop.

Lived experience isn’t optional—it’s essential.

04/14/2025

In a crisis, your phone can communicate your needs if you can’t

If you’re Autistic, have sensory differences, experience overstimulation, or communicate in a non-vocal way, add this to your phone’s Medical ID or emergency settings. This information may be automatically shared with 911 dispatchers in many areas that use Enhanced or NextGen 911 systems.

That means:
• Dispatchers may know to route your call to a mobile crisis team instead of law enforcement.
• First responders can approach with awareness and understanding, not assumptions.
• Your sensory and communication needs can be acknowledged and respected.

What to include:
• “I am Autistic and may not respond to spoken language.”
• “I may stim, become non-vocal, or shut down under stress.”
• “Sensory sensitivities: avoid flashing lights and loud commands.”
• “Preferred communication: text, AAC, written responses.”
• “Emergency contact: [name + number].”

You can add this info in your iPhone’s Health > Medical ID or Android’s Settings > Safety & Emergency.

Because being prepared is self-advocacy—and safety starts with understanding.

03/28/2025

Empowering Neurodivergent Learners for a Lifetime of Success

Traditional education doesn’t always meet the needs of every learner. Neurodivergent children, adolescents, and young adults thrive in environments that recognize their strengths, celebrate their individuality, and support their growth in ways that truly work for them.

Our immersive school-readiness, after-school, and college-readiness programs are designed specifically for neurodivergent learners who benefit from structured, intentional learning that bridges the gap between therapy and traditional schooling. Using evidence-based strategies rooted in ABA, our approach is neurodivergent-affirming and assent-based, ensuring that every learner’s autonomy, communication, and sensory needs are honored.

This isn’t just a program—it’s a launchpad for lifelong success, built on respect, autonomy, and the belief that every neurodivergent individual deserves to thrive.

⸻

Why Families & Learners Choose Us:

✅ RBT-Staffed & BCBA Supervised – High-quality, individualized support from trained professionals.
✅ Neurodivergent-Affirming & Assent-Based – Respecting autonomy, honoring communication needs, and fostering a supportive learning environment.
✅ School Readiness Program – Preparing young learners for classroom success with a focus on communication, peer interaction, and self-regulation skills.
✅ After-School ABA Tutoring & Social Skills Groups – Helping children and adolescents strengthen academic skills and build meaningful social connections.
✅ College Readiness Program – Supporting young adults with executive functioning, self-advocacy, independent living skills, and transitioning into higher education.
✅ Beyond Therapy—Real-World Learning – A dynamic, play-based curriculum designed to develop practical, everyday skills.
✅ Flexible & Affordable Options – Full-day, half-day, after-school, and college-prep programs that fit your schedule.
✅ School Pickup & Transportation Available – Making access to quality support even easier for busy families and students.

📍 Enrollment is now open! Reserve your spot today and give your child the support they deserve.

Ready to get started? Visit www.joyfjohnson.com to learn more and reserve your spot!

03/17/2025

New New lol and first solo dolo article . ❤️

02/26/2025

🌟 NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS – NO WAITLISTS! 🌟

We’re excited to announce that Spectrum Support ABA Center in Timonium, MD is accepting new clients for in-center ABA therapy – and there’s no waitlist!

💙 Why Choose Spectrum Support?
✔️ Neurodiversity-affirming, assent-based care
✔️ A welcoming, inclusive environment
✔️ Individualized support tailored to each client
✔️ Now offering sensory-friendly transportation for sessions!

🚌 Need a Ride? We provide transportation services to make access easier for our families.

📞 Call us today at 443-360-0300 to learn more or schedule a consultation!

02/26/2025

🚐 Travel on Your Terms – Sensory-Friendly, Flexible, and Supportive

Spectrum Support Rides provides sensory-friendly, customizable transportation for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals in Baltimore County & Baltimore City. Unlike traditional ride services, we prioritize comfort, autonomy, and flexibility, ensuring a ride that meets your needs.

Why Choose Spectrum Support Rides?

✅ Sensory-Friendly & Customizable Rides
• Quiet rides available – no unnecessary conversation or music.
• Weighted lap pads, noise-canceling headsets, and fidget tools available upon request.
• No pressure to conform – stim freely, communicate however you prefer, and travel in a way that feels safe.

✅ AAC & Communication Support
• Drivers understand AAC use, alternative communication styles, and non-speaking needs.
• Choose text-based, picture-based, or non-vocal ride preferences for seamless communication.

✅ RBT Passenger Assistance (Optional)
• Need extra support? A trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) can ride along to provide reassurance and assist with transitions.
• Not behavior modification—just comfort and support.

✅ No Compliance-Based Expectations
• No forced eye contact, small talk, or pressure to engage.
• We respect body autonomy, movement needs, and sensory regulation.

✅ Flexible, Predictable, & Transparent
• Clear scheduling & ride confirmations to reduce anxiety.
• No hidden fees—just straightforward pricing.
• Private pay only (PayPal, credit cards, and cash accepted).

✅ Safe, Supportive, & Community-Focused
• Drivers trained in neurodivergent-affirming practices.
• No forced touch, physical intervention, or compliance-based demands.
• Designed with input from the neurodivergent community.

📍 Service Areas: Baltimore County & Baltimore City

📲 Ready to Ride? Book Now!

👉 Book a Ride

02/22/2025