South Bend Cubs Autism Awareness Day Presented by Lighthouse

Therapy room at Lighthouse Autism Center with toys on a table with blue chairs and book shelves above

South Bend Cubs Autism Awareness Day Presented by Lighthouse

Lighthouse Autism Center Celebrates Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day

Sunday, April 10, 2022, 2:05PM at Four Winds Field in South Bend, IN

Lighthouse Autism Center and the South Bend Cubs are partnering to host an Autism Awareness Day with the South Bend Cubs. Gate opens at 12pm. First pitch is at 2:05pm. Home Plate Suite will be open as a sensory room.

Congratulations to the t-shirt design winner, Tracy Galicia, Registered Behavioral Therapist!

Checkout Tracy’s design below! This design will be featured on the South Bend Cubs special edition Autism Awareness shirts and hoodies, for the month of April!

These shirts and hoodies will be available for purchase from the South Bend Cubs, in-store and online: https://southbendcubs.milbstore.com/

The Cubs Den team store hours are Monday – Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm and is located at 420 S. William St in South Bend.

Join us for a sensory friendly game that will support autism awareness!

Check out the sensory room!

Learn More Here: https://www.milb.com/south-bend/tickets/promotions

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Bringing Effective Behavior Analytic Speech Techniques to Dublin, Ireland

Three LAC Members Present at the ABAI in Ireland

Every two years the Association for Behavior Analysis International hosts an international conference during which behavior analysts from all over the world converge to share research and ideas.  This year’s conference will be held in Dublin, Ireland.  Three Lighthouse Autism Center speech-language pathologists: Samantha Farber, Emily Sears and Janine Shapiro will be in attendance and Lighthouse Autism Centers’ paper was accepted for presentation.

Janine Shapiro will be demonstrating effective behavior analytic speech techniques to address common speech concerns of behavior analysts.

We’re excited to bring our Lighthouse Fusion tricks to an international stage so we can help learners and practitioners near and far!

Learn more about the conference here: Conference Home – Association for Behavior Analysis International (abainternational.org)

Janine directs Lighthouse Fusion, an enhanced therapy solution that blends the best practices of ABA and speech therapies into one comprehensive program. Developed by a team of dually certified clinicians at Lighthouse Autism Center, some of only a handful in the entire country, the program brings together experts in the fields of speech and ABA to collaborate on goal development, deliver therapy, and celebrate each child’s progress.

At Lighthouse Autism Center, we offer the highest quality therapy in a beautiful, play-based environment. With Lighthouse Fusion, children make greater progress, faster, all while having fun.

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Driving a Global Impact with Innovative Techniques

Innovative Techniques of ABA and Speech Therapy

Our very own Janine Shapiro, CCC-SLP, BCBA, Director of Speech/ABA Integration at Lighthouse Autism Center, recently presented at a highly attended Beijing-organized presentation. This was a virtual presentation that was quick to fill at full capacity, with several of China’s behavioral analyst in attendance! The focus of this presentation was behavior analytic techniques to establish and increase vocal communication.

Janine at Lighthouse Fusion

Janine directs Lighthouse Fusion, an initiative to fuse speech-language pathology and behavior analysis at Lighthouse Autism Center. She has practiced as a dually certified behavior analyst and speech-language pathologist for fourteen years and remains one of only a handful of clinicians with both certifications in the world. She speaks at conferences and training events around the world and passionately shares the power of behavior analysis with fellow speech-language pathologists. Janine co-authored research concerning the effectiveness of Social Thinking therapy, which was published in the Journal of Autism and Development Disorders and co-authored a chapter in Essential for Living—a curriculum guide and assessment tool for people with moderate to severe disabilities.

Lighthouse Autism Center could not be more thankful for her passion and dedication to helping our clients reach their unlimited potential. Janine is a phonemical asset to the Lighthouse team. We cannot wait to follow her journey as she continues to educate the world on behavior analytic techniques!

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Lighthouse Autism Center Staff Spotlight: Jordan

Meet Lighthouse Autism Center’s Staff Spotlight of the Month: Jordan.

 

Staff Spotlight: Meet Jordan

Jordan started working at Lighthouse Autism Center in July of 2021 and has just recently hit six months as an (RBT) Registered Behavior Technician! She graduated from Warsaw Community High School as well as Ivy Tech and spent two years at Grace college. Jordan was a CNA for almost five years before becoming an RBT.
 
 

What is your favorite part of working for Lighthouse?

My favorite part of working at Lighthouse is the bonds we all build with these kiddos. A lot of these kids look forward to seeing us everyday and it warms my heart. I love seeing the impact we can make on these kids and watching them grow.

 

How would you describe your experience working for Lighthouse?

My experience at Lighthouse has been like no other job I have ever had. The teamwork is unmatched. When I started, my first day was full of encouraging words and tons of help. Even to this day I am still encouraged and never have to look far for help.
 
 

Do you have a favorite memory from your time here?

My favorite memory is a small one, but it has stuck with me still. Once I had passed my test to become an RBT and began working by myself, the bonds I built with the kiddos were amazing. Nothing felt better than bringing a child in to the center at the start of the day and having them say your name and being so excited that I was their teacher that day!

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

Brewing up success with one Lighthouse Autism Family

Following the Journey of Nick – delivering 22 years of compassionate care

Featuring Maggie Curry, Program Manager, BCBA

2010

Maggie Curry started working with Nick at an ABA provider in 2010. He was 6 years old at the time. His family moved to Indiana from Nebraska for quality ABA services when Nick was 3 or 4 years old. At this time, Nick’s family was dedicated to his care and fostering his unlimited potential. Even at his early age, Nick’s family would talk about their goals of life readiness and future employment when he was old enough. Nick’s mother wanted to own a coffee shop and employ Nick, so that she could remained involved with his needs.

2013

Nick ended up starting in school and changed ABA providers before beginning at Access which has since been acquired by Lighthouse Autism Center. Maggie started at Access in 2014 and was once again Nick’s therapist for in-home services. As he grew older, he took a liking and interest to the kitchen, always assisting his mom with meals, baking, groceries, and in any way he could. This further fueled the idea to have him work in a restaurant or coffee shop.

Maggie was promoted to a trainer position while attending school to become a Board Certified Behavior Analysist and remained involved with Nick’s programming for supervision and training his therapists. Once she was certified, Maggie became Nick’s BCBA.

2021

Nick’s parents made the decision to invest in a coffee shop franchise based out of Nebraska and open one here in Indiana. They are a very close family and often travel back to Nebraska to visit and spend holidays there as well, in addition to much of their family from Nebraska coming to Indiana to visit often – some have even moved here permanently!

2022

It’s a long process for Nick and his family and they are working on finding the perfect location and hope to have a shop opened within the next year. By then, Nick will be 18 years of age and will be their first employee! They are also hoping to hire a few other employees with special needs and offer a safe and accepting environment for them to continue to grow and gain independence.

“It’s been amazing to work with Nick and his family for so long and watch this dream unfold. I’ve worked with them for 12 years, and while I’ll be sad not to work with Nick any longer, I cannot wait to go to Scooter’s and order a cup of coffee!” Maggie Curry, Program Manager, BCBA

Nick’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfv0W4uirGY

At LAC, we are seeing incredible progress made by our learners every day.

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