New Tolland Center Expands Autism Resources in the Area

TOLLAND, CT - Families in north-central Connecticut with children on the autism spectrum have a new resource with the opening Optimized Autism Interventions LLC on North River Road in Tolland.

Led by owner and program director Audrey Gifford, OAI brings in-home Applied Behavior Analysis services to clients in Tolland and Hartford counties.

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Gifford said the number of children diagnosed with autism has soared in recent years to about one in 88 children, and early therapy is "a critical need."

“Every year we see more research demonstrating the effectiveness of ABA therapy for children with autism, and the best results are most consistently seen in children who receive intensive ABA therapy at very young ages—often starting before the second birthday,” said Gifford, a multi-state licensed and board-certified behavior analyst, “While children of any age can and do benefit greatly from ABA treatment, there is a neurological window that makes optimal outcomes very unlikely after around age seven, so delays in treatment can have profound long term effects.”

OAI is a new venture, but with seasoned roots. Gifford has some 30 years of experience in ABA autism therapy, including 12 years at the helm of a similar service provider in California with more than 100 employees.

She said she designs each child’s unique ABA therapy program and provides ongoing parent and staff training, as well as weekly program supervision.

OAI provides each staff member with the training recommended by the national Behavior Analysis Certification Board before he or she is allowed to work with children, Gifford said.

Parent training is a required component of each program as well, Gifford said.

“Parents are the most important part of every child’s team. They can and should observe therapy sessions, ask questions, and tell us what problems they are encountering with their child so we can help with that," she said. "We also want to hear about the successes and joys your child has brought to your family.”

OAI is currently accepting new clients to fill its available therapy program times. Parents of children with autism are invited visit both www.OAIautism.com and the company’s Facebook page, and call 860-896-5335 for any further information needed.