April Is Autism Month: Exploring Why Early Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Intervention is Critical in the First Five Years

Dr. Yvonne Bruinsma, PhD, BCBA-D serves as a Board Member of the national non-profit Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and provider of TheSpectrum.org, an online resource for parents of children with autism joins eHealth Radio and the Autism Information and Health News Channels.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Yvonne Bruinsma discuss the following:

1. We’re approaching April, which annually is Autism Acceptance Month. What would you like to share with our listeners on the resources provided on TheSpectrum.org to keep top of mind for April and all year round?
2. A child’s autism diagnosis comes with many questions for parents and families. Could you share more about why a child’s first five years is a critical window for development as families consider how to navigate the spectrum?
3. Let’s talk more about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment. Could you detail for our listeners how this treatment works for children with autism and their families?
4. What are some of the specific skills that early ABA treatment can help develop?
5. How can parents, or their healthcare providers who may be advising them, best seek out treatment options for their child?
6. What is one tip you would like to share on how communities at large can be more aware of the best ways to support children with autism and their families?

Yvonne Bruinsma, PhD, BCBA-D serves as a Board Member of the national non-profit Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) and provider of TheSpectrum.org, an online resource for parents of children with autism with a library of information, perspectives, and community support on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment.

Dr. Bruinsma founded In STEPPS, a multi-disciplinary agency providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities, in 2010 and In STEPPS Academy, a non-profit private school for students with autism in 2019. She has more than 30 years of experience in the field. Dr. Bruinsma previously gained extensive experience as the clinical director and clinical manager at several agencies and brought PRT to the Netherlands. She has been an active researcher and continues publishing in the field.

Dr. Bruinsma has written articles in peer-reviewed journals and in 2015, wrote and published a seminal article with other top researchers in autism treatment about Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions such as PRT. She also has co-written a book about Naturalistic Developmental Behavior Interventions (NDBI) currently translated into 3 languages. She has worked in a variety of settings, including developmental centers, group homes for adults with developmental disabilities, vocational sites, and schools.

Dr. Bruinsma earned her master’s in developmental psychology from the University of Leiden, the Netherlands, and her master’s and doctorate in special education, developmental disabilities, from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Bruinsma was certified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) in 2008.

About TheSpectrum.org

TheSpectrum.org is a new online resource developed by the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). It serves as an educational hub that provides a library of videos and resources on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment. The goal is to empower parents of children with autism by offering objective information and fostering community conversations to help them make informed decisions about their child's care.

Website: https://thespectrum.org

Social Media Links: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/council-of-autism-service-providers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASProviders Instagram: http://instagram.com/casproviders

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