Fredericksburg Parent

16 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • April 2025 April is Autism Acceptance Month, an internationally recognized time to focus on connecting indi- viduals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with the community support and resources that can help them thrive. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 36 children is identified with ASD. For these children, early intervention with therapies such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) can make a world of difference. Compass is a behavioral health agency that has been serving children and families throughout Virginia since 2004. Compass is a Medicaid-only provider that offers customized ABA services to children under 21 who demonstrate significant impairment in adaptive functioning that is related to either developmental delays or other health conditions. As our April Expert, Alisha Gordon, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who is Compass' Clinical Director, talks about the ins and outs of diagnosis, signs parents should look for if they are concerned about their child's development and the importance of early intervention. Q: What should parents know about recognizing the signs of autism? Parents are often the first to notice when something seems different in their child's development. While every child is unique, some early signs of autism may include: � Delayed language development � Limited social interactions or lack of interest in others � Avoidance of eye contact � Difficulty with pretend play or repetitive play behaviors � Sensory sensitivities or unusual reactions to sounds, textures, or lights If a parent notices these behaviors in their child, it is important to seek guidance rather than wait to see if they will "grow out of it." WRITTEN BY EMILY FREEHLING sponsored material Counseling Services Compass Counseling Services is a behavioral health agency that has been serving children and families throughout Virginia since 2004. is the First Step Toward Acceptance

• Cover