Staff Report

ROCKFORD – Autism Home Support Services (AHSS), on Wednesday, announced that it has opened a new autism therapy center in Rockford.

At 7177 Crimson Ridge Road, the AHSS Autism Center offers applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children age 18 months and older who are on the autism spectrum. The center will add speech, physical and occupational therapy services over time.

Spokesmen say the center will help address the fast-growing need for autism therapy in Rockford. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism diagnoses have increased by 15% in the last two years, now affecting approximately one in every 59 children across the U.S.

AHSS’ Rockford center will provide one-on-one, small group and social skills therapy in a fun, distraction-free, convenient environment with customized plans to help each child reach his or her full potential. The center will also offer early learners classes to teach behaviors children need to succeed in school, as well as guest speakers and information sessions for parents.

“AHSS has been delivering in-home ABA therapy in Rockford since 2015, yet it is clear that many more Rockford families need help,” Center Network Director for Autism Home Support Services Dr. Tracy Crowe said. “Our new Autism Center offers top-quality ABA therapy and is an ideal way to serve more families, especially families that need additional flexibility and choices.”

The Rockford Autism Center is AHSS’ fifth center in Illinois, joining Springfield, Northbrook, Arlington Heights and Chicago. AHSS also provides comprehensive in-home ABA therapy throughout the state.

ABA is an evidence-based therapy that has been proven effective in helping children with autism improve communication and social skills, and reduce challenging behaviors. Covered by most insurance plans, ABA has been endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Autism Society of America and many others.

“Treating young children at our Rockford Autism Therapy Center is especially important,” Rockford Center Manager Rosie York said. “Younger children’s brains are more ‘plastic,’ so they learn age-appropriate behavior and communication skills more easily.”

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Autism Home Support Services, an Invo Company, is the Midwest’s largest provider of applied behavior analysis therapy and has served more than 2,000 families in metro Chicago, Detroit and Denver.  Moe information is at autismhomesupport.com and invocompanies.com for more information.