Sensory-Friendly Tips for Children with Autism on July 4th

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

Author: Allison Gonyon

Sensory-Friendly Tips for Children with Autism on July 4th

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Navigating the Holiday with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Holidays in general can be overwhelming and overstimulating for children with autism. The 4th of July Holiday can be one of the more overstimulating holidays consisting of large social gatherings, fireworks, parades, festivals and more! Preparing for these upcoming activities is crucial.

There are various ways to ensure that the holiday is safe and memorable for children with autism. Here are a few tips for families and caregivers of children with Autism:

Prepare your child in advance

Prepare your child in advance by telling them what is going to happen at the fireworks display or celebration. Focus on the fun aspect and let your child know that you are excited for these upcoming activities. Engage your child in the excitement and get them excited! Tell them about the holiday and stories of the good food, friends, and activities.  You can read your child books about similar celebrations or show them videos online or even take them to the location beforehand to introduce and bring familiarity to the situation. Create a plan for activities including timing, location, safety, and helpful supplies. Have a plan B. It is important to understand your child’s limits.

Determine a location and create a safe space

Choose a location where your child can retreat easily, such as at home with a view of fireworks, where a quiet room is available if they need a break from the noise and lights or watch by distance from inside your vehicle. You can also create a special space for your child to make them feel more comfortable by bringing their favorite comfort items such as a pillow and blanket or a chair.  It is important that your child feels comfortable and safe and has a space to prevent overstimulation. Create an escape plan if your child becomes too overstimulated. Events like community fireworks can become hectic, fast. As the crowd’s swell, noise grows, and children on the autism spectrum become prone to meltdowns. That is why identifying an escape route to a quiet place is important.

Bring helpful supplies and favorite items

Pack a bag ahead of time with sensory toys, games, and familiar snacks. Also consider headphones for children who are sensitive to loud sounds. As we all know, fireworks can pack a lot of sensory stimulation. Sensory items and snacks can provide a crucial distraction if your child gets antsy while waiting for activities to start.

Make safety a priority

Put a strong focus on safety around fireworks. Wandering and accidents can happen at any time.  However, being in an unfamiliar environment can increase the risk.

Ask for help

Be clear with other adults around you about how they can help make the event comfortable for your child with autism. Make sure your child knows how to ask for help and how to ask for a break from the party or noise. If your child is verbal, they may only need a reminder.  However, many children on the autism spectrum do best with a visual aid. For example, provide your child with a special card to hand to you when they need a break from the stimulation.

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Children with Autism: Boys Verses Girls

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Boys Verses Girls

According to the CDC, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

But does this mean that boys are more likely to have autism or does this mean that girls are just being underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed? Signs of autism in girls can be easily missed, especially in cases of high-functioning autism. The signs and characteristics displayed by children with autism is more easily recognizable with severe and problematic symptoms, often observed among boys. Therefore, boys get referred for diagnostic testing and treatment services earlier in development than girls typically do and are more often diagnosed. Autism in girls and autism in boys do not always look the same. In fact, recent research suggests that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may look quite different in girls—so different, that it can be difficult to diagnose. It may not get noticed in girls until later teen or pre-teen years, when it becomes harder for a child to “cover up” their autism-related characteristics. As the gender differences among children with autism get more closely examined, many experts are beginning to observe that girls may be better at imitating socially appropriate behaviors and have fewer behavior problems than boys. This creates a masking of autism symptoms for girls that prevent them from being referred for services.

Some of the differences in girls with autism verses boys with autism based on resent research are:

  • Boys with autism often have very repetitive and limited areas of play. Girls with autism are less repetitive and have broader areas of play.
  • Girls with autism are more likely than boys to be able to respond to non-verbal communication such as pointing or gaze following. They are also somewhat more focused and less prone to distraction.
  • While boys’ social communication issues become challenging very early in their lives, girls may be able to manage the social demands of early childhood but run into difficulties as they enter early adolescence.
  • According to the Kennedy Krieger report, Boys with ASD may tend to engage in disruptive behavior to gain objects, while girls with ASD may tend to engage in disruptive behavior to get attention.
  • Girls with autism are more likely than boys to also suffer from anxiety and/or depression.
  • While girls with autism do have perseverative interests, they are more likely to choose interests (such as TV stars or music) that appear more typical than, for example, many boys’ perseverative interests in schedules, statistics, or transportation.
  • Girls with autism are less likely to behave aggressively and more likely to be passive or withdrawn.
  • It is fairly common for girls with autism to appear socially competent as youngsters because they are “taken under the wings” of other girls who enjoy mentoring their peers. These mentors often fade out of the picture as they enter adolescence and find other interests or groups of friends.

Is There a Gendered Difference on the Autism Spectrum?

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as the broad range of conditions that include challenges with communication skills, social skills, motor skills, daily living skills and more. In the most recent study performed by the CDC, 1 in every 44 children are diagnosed with autism. Furthermore, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

How to Identify Signs of Autism and Evaluating Your Child

Having a child tested for autism spectrum disorder is only something that a qualified professional will be able to do. However, knowing the signs of autism can help you decide whether or not to seek further evaluation for your child. The easiest way to be able to determine if a child should have further evaluation for autism spectrum disorder is to know the signs.

Getting an early diagnosis of ASD is key for proper treatment and early intervention. With that in mind, what are the characteristics of autism?

Sources:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/differences-between-boys-and-girls-with-autism-260307
https://www.verywellhealth.com/signs-of-autism-in-girls-260304
https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-statistics-asd
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2017/04/autism-spectrum-disorders-the-difference-between-boys-and-girls

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The “Proof is in the Paddington”

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Autism Success Stories: The “Proof is in the Paddington”

This week, Lighthouse Fusion Director, Janine Shapiro, CCC-SLP/BCBA, and Lighthouse Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Jessica McCuen, traveled to London.  Tourist sightseeing, international cuisine, and West End shows were not on the itinerary.  Instead, the focus was Hannah*, a doe-eyed, 5-year-old girl with autism secondary to a very rare genetic condition.  In short, Hannah represents another Lighthouse success story, but she also serves as the inspiration and proof of concept for the entire Lighthouse Fusion approach to integrated ABA and speech-language therapy.

A Video Gives Hope

In 2019, Access Behavior Analysis (which has since been acquired by Lighthouse Autism Center) created a video documenting the speech development of a female toddler in Indianapolis with a rare genetic condition.  Given the severity of communication deficits of most individuals with this disorder, this young girl’s gains proved shocking to her family and professionals in the medical community.  The video highlighted the benefits of an integrated ABA and speech-language approach with the goal of providing hope to families traveling the same uncharted road. Not long after the video posted, Hannah’s mother stumbled across it, recognized similarities between the child featured and her own, and reached out to the dually certified practitioners with a plea for help.

Virtual Therapy Success

Local client and family obligations precluded an immediate trip to London, so Jessica and Janine scheduled a virtual intake via Skype.  Hannah initially presented with very few sounds and never produced them in an imitative context.  Jessica and Janine virtually coached Hannah’s mom how to leverage the principles of behavior in combination with speech prompting techniques to teach Hannah to imitate a variety of sounds.  Six months following the first email, Janine and Jessica finally met Hannah in person.  By the end of the three-day international consultation, Hannah was producing a variety of vocal words to request her favorite items and activities.  Here again was a child given a very low likelihood of ever developing more than a few vocal words defying the odds with behavioral speech techniques, and this time, most targets were achieved virtually!  Janine and Jessica left promising to return soon, but just a few months later, the world shut down. Virtual sessions resumed and progress continued.

Lighthouse Fusion™

Meanwhile, Lighthouse Autism Center wanted to offer all of its learners the opportunity to benefit from therapy with practitioners who were dually certified as speech-language pathologists and Board Certified Behavior Analysts.  Often referred to as “unicorns” these practitioners are as effective as they are rare.  Lighthouse also envisioned a more collaborative model with its BCBAs and SLPs working together with the learners, rather than simply housing speech and ABA under the same roof.  The experience with Hannah demonstrated the power of behavioral speech strategies within a virtual format.  Though instead of a parent taking direction, Lighthouse’s talented BCBAs develop objectives and implement therapy alongside the speech-language pathologist.  This is the Lighthouse Fusion approach to ABA therapy, and it takes place every day at every Lighthouse Autism Center.

Janine, Jessica, (and Paddington) returned from their second trip to London thrilled with Hannah’s progress and energized for the week’s Lighthouse Fusion co-treatment sessions with learners in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois.  Lighthouse practitioners will soon be packing their bags again, this time for Ireland, where they will share Lighthouse Fusion techniques at an international ABA conference.  As Janine and Jessica joked on the flight home from London, the proof was “in the Paddington!”

* Name has been changed for privacy.

The Lighthouse Way

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Meet Janine Shapiro, M.S., CCC SLP-BCBA

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Meet Janine Shapiro: Director of Lighthouse Fusion™

What made you decide on a career in therapy?

I have two younger siblings who presented with developmental speech disorders. I grew up in clinical waiting rooms! My parents had enormous respect and gratitude towards my brothers’ speech therapist; she was a hero in our house!
 

What inspires/drives you?

I’m inspired by the progress I see each day. I am driven to create new techniques- Fusion procedures- that produce results parents and other practitioners never dreamed possible.
 

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working alongside and collaborating with some truly brilliant speech and behavior analytic clinicians. I look forward to going to the office each day. I’m passionate about my career, which I don’t view as work. I’m extraordinarily lucky.
 

How has this career path impacted you?

I do not take anything for granted. I live a very grateful life. I’m most thankful for the families who trust me to give their children a voice.
 

What advice would you give to those seeking a Similar career path?

When offered an opportunity to learn, raise your hand! Add as many techniques to your toolbox as possible; each one will one day bring a learner a step closer to better communication and a more independent life. Seek out great mentors.
 
To learn more about Lighthouse Fusion™, click here.

 

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Lighthouse Autism Center Opens New Center in Portage, Indiana!

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

ABA Therapy Center is Now Open in Portage, Indiana!

Lighthouse Autism Center (LAC) continues to expand autism clinics, with a network of centers in now, three states – quite a journey from its humble beginnings serving four families in one building to now serving hundreds of families across three states for nearly a decade, it’s truly amazing.

Our newest Portage autism center opened on June 6, 2022 and will provide autism services to 28 children and their families, create over 40 new jobs in the area.  This children’s autism center is the 25th Lighthouse Autism Center to open it’s doors and provide quality ABA therapy services to children with autism. To learn or more or inquire about enrollment, visit www.lighthouseautismcenter.com.

Portage Autism Center Exterior clinic
Portage Autism Center Entry
Portage Autism Center – Autism Learning Center
Portage Autism Center – Play-based Therapy

With a mission of providing the highest quality autism services to children and families through our facilities, Lighthouse has sought to do just that in Portage, IN. As the need for ABA services continues to grow, Lighthouse seeks to fill that need by expanding into areas of high demand, helping more families and children with autism, reach their goals.

Lighthouse Autism Center is the Midwest’s leading autism therapy provider.

With beautiful facilities that promote natural and play-based learning, and a team of highly trained and compassionate clinicians, Lighthouse Autism Center brings together compassionate care and clinical excellence to offer the highest quality ABA therapy to children with autism.

Autism Center for Speech and Language

With a unique clinical model called Lighthouse Fusion™, children at Lighthouse are making greater progress, faster, all while having fun. While other ABA centers typically keep ABA and speech therapies separate, Lighthouse Fusion™ brings these two therapies together into one enhanced therapy solution. We invite you to learn more about how this innovative clinical model is helping to unlock each child’s potential.

To learn more about Lighthouse Autism Center or enroll your child, contact our Family Outreach Coordinator at (574)-387-4313

New Portage Center Contact Information​

3125 Willowcreek RD
Portage, Indiana 46368

Family Outreach Phone: (574)-387-4313

https://lighthouseautismcenter.com/autism-treatment-center-in-portage-in-2/

Find a Center Near You

Interested in finding an autism center near you? Click Find a Center below to view a full list of current autism therapy centers.

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Lighthouse Fusion ™: Meeting the Child Where They Are Most Engaged

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Meeting the Child Where They Are Most Engaged

Child and clinician working with positive reinforcements. Clinician engaging child’s interests to make learning fun!
Naturalist play-based therapy helps children with socialization along with many other skills.

Play-based ABA Therapy


Lighthouse Autism Center offers beautiful, play-based environments. With an innovative ABA therapy model called Lighthouse Fusion ™, children make greater progress, faster, all while having fun. Together speech and ABA fuse into one comprehensive program. Children are immersed in imaginary spaces where they can naturally explore their interests, engage in sensory experiences, and practice language. Each child’s progress can be seen in smiles and laughter because we know children learn best when they’re having fun. The therapist follows the child’s lead to find out what he or she enjoys.  At every opportunity, the therapist tries to enhance an activity’s fun quotient with their presence.  The goal is that the child will want to work for the therapist and will, therefore, be an active, happy, and engaged learner.

Tailored Autism Treatment Plans

A therapist may be highly qualified, and the treatment plan may be exquisitely tailored to the child’s needs, but if the child refuses to engage with the therapist, then efficient learning won’t occur.  Lighthouse Fusion is an enhanced program with an innovative clinical model that delivers better outcomes, faster. Our naturalistic play environment allows each learner to develop readiness skills, simulating real-life situations, all while having fun. Each object in the pay centers were strategically selected with an intended purpose. Some toys may help with the development of social skills, while others are intended to help with speech and language development. Lighthouse Autism Center strives to create a welcoming, comfortable environment that provokes natural learning and fun.

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

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Lighthouse Fusion ™: Fusing Together ABA and Speech Therapy

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Fusing ABA and Speech Into One Enhanced Therapy Solution

Lighthouse Fusion ™ was developed by a team of dually certified clinicians at Lighthouse Autism Center is an enhanced therapy solution that blends the best practices of ABA and speech therapies into one comprehensive program.  At Lighthouse, we are committed to bringing together compassionate care and clinical excellence to unlock that potential and help each child achieve the possible. We believe each child has unique and unlimited potential.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQvN3DEq–Y[/embedyt]

ABA has long been the gold-standard for autism therapy. Research shows that building motivation and rewarding success is effective in delivering superior outcomes for children. Lighthouse Fusion ™ applies these same principles to speech development in a one-of-a-kind therapy 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.

  • Integrated therapies: Fusion brings together speech and ABA into one comprehensive program.
  • Collaborative team: Each child has a behavior analyst, speech therapist, and registered behavior technician working together to support their progress. Three clinicians, one goal.
  • Enhanced Progress: an innovative clinical model that delivers better outcomes, faster.

How Lighthouse Uses Integrative Therapy

At Lighthouse Autism Center, we offer the highest quality therapy in a beautiful, play-based environment. With an innovative ABA therapy model called Lighthouse Fusion, children make greater progress, faster, all while having fun. This is where compassionate care meets clinical excellence. Children are immersed in imaginary spaces where they can naturally explore their interests, engage in sensory experiences, and practice language. Each child’s progress can be seen in smiles and laughter because we know children learn best when they’re having fun.

To learn more about Lighthouse Fusion, click here.

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

Setting a Strong Foundation, the Lighthouse Way – Meet Leila Allen

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Leila Tells Us About Her Time at Lighthouse

In May of 2022, Lighthouse Autism Center is celebrating 10 years of business. This would not be possible without our tenured staff. These individuals helped build a strong foundation for Lighthouse Autism Center and continue to bring compassion and expertise every day! They have paved a path for an inspiring future of endless growth and possibilities. They have brought hope into our communities and homes. They have unlocked a world of unlimited potential. Thank you for being such a significant piece to our puzzle and for embracing Lighthouse Autism Center’s core values every day!

About Leila

Leila is the Chief Clinical Officer at Lighthouse Autism Center. Her prior role at Lighthouse was a Clinical Director. Leila is a dog mom and enjoys hanging out with friends and family. She loves tacos, sushi, and coffee. A unique skill that Leila has is that she can speak a little Farsi and a decent amount of French.

Life Before Lighthouse:

What was your career background/experience before Lighthouse Autism Center?

Before Lighthouse, as a BCBA, I was working with teenagers & adults in a school, day programs, and inpatient care in Chicago. Before that, I was at an ABA center in the Indy area.

Lighthouse Journey:

Why did you originally apply at Lighthouse Autism Center?

Gregg convinced me it would be a place where BCBAs had a voice in how the company would run and I stayed because he kept his word.

What is your favorite memory at Lighthouse?

Other than stuff with kids, our first few Christmas parties where we were all in the same place. Also, so many great memories from Edison when we first started, it was crazy and busy, but wearing so many hats always made for memories, from Gregg being our plumber, to his mom picking out our paint colors, to the leak in my office ceiling, there are way too many to list!

How has Lighthouse impacted you personally?

I moved here for Lighthouse and have stayed here for Lighthouse!

What is your favorite part about working at Lighthouse?

Being able to impact families in a positive way, support them through this process, and see our kiddos succeed!

What does Lighthouse mean to you?

That’s simple—being able to have a positive impact on families, like the therapists that worked with my brother did on my family. Support does not always have to come from family, often it’s the village you surround yourself with and we get to be that village for our kiddos and their families.

Which of the LAC Values do you most identify with?

Be yourself. I think this runs throughout Lighthouse, not just as an employee and how we want to look at our teams, but also our kiddos.

What is your favorite change/improvement you have experienced in your time at Lighthouse?

Being able to service so many kids in different areas.

What advice would you give to prospective or new employees?

Just apply! All it takes is one day to fall in love with these kiddos.

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

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Setting a Strong Foundation, the Lighthouse Way – Meet Melissa Williams

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Meet Melissa Williams

In May of 2022, Lighthouse Autism Center is celebrating 10 years of business. This would not be possible without our tenured staff. These individuals helped build a strong foundation for Lighthouse Autism Center and continue to bring compassion and expertise every day! They have paved a path for an inspiring future of endless growth and possibilities. They have brought hope into our communities and homes. They have unlocked a world of unlimited potential. Thank you for being such a significant piece to our puzzle and for embracing Lighthouse Autism Center’s core values every day!

About Melissa

Melissa is a Family Outreach Coordinator at Lighthouse Autism Center. Her prior roles at Lighthouse include Registered Behavior Therapist and Senior Therapist. Melissa enjoys baking and cooking. She loves Cake Bake Lemon cake, and her favorite animal is an elephant. She likes rainbow Tie-dye and is a good singer but does not enjoy singing for others. Melissa used to be a performing belly dancer for fairs, festivals, and special events and was once the centerpiece for a sword performance where she danced and balanced a large sword over her head.

Life Before Lighthouse:

What was your career background/experience before Lighthouse Autism Center?

Before working in ABA, I spent much of my time working in Elementary Education for PHM’s Kindergarten Program. I also did work through college and following PHM in Social Work with Children and Adolescents with Mental Illness and those in the Juvenile Court System.

Lighthouse Journey:

Why did you originally apply at Lighthouse Autism Center?

While working for PHM as a Program Assistant, I fell in love with working with kids with special needs. I spent a lot of my spare time researching and developing programming with my resource teacher to better serve the students in my care. A few co-workers chatted about a new ABA center in town ran by Gregg and Sandy. They insisted that I look into applying and felt like it would set me up for a lot of growth within my current skillset. There was just something that set LAC apart from other ABA centers popping up around town, and I just felt like I needed to be part of it.

What is your favorite memory at Lighthouse?

I have SO many. The most impactful would be when a nervous parent dropped her son off for his first day. I told her he was in good hands and with people who were going to fall head over heels for him. She then told me she felt like she found “The light at the end of her tunnel.” That was a HUGE pivoting moment in my career with LAC. It opened my eyes to the level of importance of what we do and the impact we have on families.

How has Lighthouse impacted you personally?

I feel like Lighthouse has invested in not only myself, but my family. The COVID-19 pandemic was a very trying time for our family. When the pandemic hit and the world was shutting down, my husband’s company was trying its best to keep its head above water. The company went from over 50 employees, down to 5… Those 5 also had to sacrifice much of their jobs to keep things moving. Mike and I had emotional conversations we thought we would never have to have… We worried about keeping a roof over our head, providing for our son, and the “What Ifs” as we found out we were expecting a new baby. The one constant during this time was LAC. They continued to support our family the best they could. They didn’t turn away from our needs when things became too difficult. They continued to support my husband’s company by ordering masks and additional apparel, keeping a local business afloat. I felt like LAC valued me as an important piece of the company, not just a number like many other companies were doing around us.

What is your favorite part about working at Lighthouse?

I love seeing families flourish while receiving services and now being that first person to get them moving in the right direction. I also love witnessing therapists making breakthroughs with our kids. I love seeing the “Ah ha” moments when therapists realize why they are here and why THEY are important.

What does Lighthouse mean to you?

It all comes back to “being the light at the end of the tunnel.” I feel amazing being a light in this community. I feel proud of who we are and what we do. Very few people can say that about their job, and I feel fortunate to be one of the lucky few.

Which of the LAC Values do you most identify with?

Care about people more than anything.

What is your favorite change/improvement you have experienced in your time at Lighthouse?

The most exciting change has been the transition to Lighthouse Fusion! It has been wonderful to see the centers be remodeled to a fun and immersive environment that you can immediately witness our students become fully engaged with. The response from families viewing the center speaks for itself. Every tour has been blown away and always expresses how much their child needs what we do at Lighthouse Autism Center.

What advice would you give to prospective or new employees?

If you invest in Lighthouse, Lighthouse will invest in you in return. If you believe in what we do, and bring your best to serve those around you, the company will recognize and serve your efforts in return.

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

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Setting a Strong Foundation, the Lighthouse Way – Meet Maggie Gendel

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Meet Maggie Gendel

In May of 2022, Lighthouse Autism Center is celebrating 10 years of business. This would not be possible without our tenured staff. These individuals helped build a strong foundation for Lighthouse Autism Center and continue to bring compassion and expertise every day! They have paved a path for an inspiring future of endless growth and possibilities. They have brought hope into our communities and homes. They have unlocked a world of unlimited potential. Thank you for being such a significant piece to our puzzle and for embracing Lighthouse Autism Center’s core values every day!

Maggie’s Lighthouse Journey

Maggie is the Senior Director of Business Development at Lighthouse Autism Center. Her prior roles at Lighthouse include Receptionist, followed by Executive Assistant. Maggie loves spending time with her family and traveling. She has been to 20 countries and 5 continents. Maggie’s unique skill is having an eye for finding sea glass at the beach. Almost every beach trip she has taken, she has found a piece of sea glass.

Life Before Lighthouse:

What was your career background/experience before Lighthouse Autism Center?

I graduated with a degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University. My first job before joining Lighthouse in 2014 was as a direct support associate with adults who have autism. I’ve also worked at the University of Notre Dame in their Development Department.

Lighthouse Journey:

Why did you originally apply at Lighthouse Autism Center?

I wanted to work somewhere where I felt like I made a difference. My first job prior to Lighthouse was working as a direct support associate for adults with autism. I loved that job. Lighthouse provided me an opportunity to take the next step in my career while still being connected to a mission I was passionate about.

What is your favorite memory at Lighthouse?

When I first started at Lighthouse, I loved sitting at the front desk. I was in the heart of the center and had a front row seat to the kids playing in the playroom. There was even one boy that used to work to come and see me and it was the best the feeling!

How has Lighthouse impacted you personally?

Lighthouse has changed my life in immeasurable ways. The biggest way though is investing in my professional growth. Lighthouse has provided me with opportunities to refine my skills, expand on those skills, and has challenged me to try new things. I’m grateful for the opportunities Lighthouse has provided to continue to develop professionally in my career.

What is your favorite part about working at Lighthouse?

The people. I can honestly say I genuinely like every single person I work with. With a mission like ours, it’s hard not to attract just downright good people. And you feel that when you’re here. It’s a joy to come to work every day, not only because I love working for Lighthouse, but I enjoy the people I work with.

What does Lighthouse mean to you?

Lighthouse for me means being part of something that is bigger than myself.

Which of the LAC Values do you most identify with?

Give away credit. It’s so important to lift each other up. It truly takes a village for us to pursue our mission and it’s important that we recognize everyone’s role in supporting that mission.

What is your favorite change/improvement you have experienced in your time at Lighthouse?

It’s incredible to see how much we have grown over years, not only in size, but in how we have evolved as an organization to consistently build and improve, while still staying true to our core mission.

What advice would you give to prospective or new employees?

Speaking specifically to prospective employees on the admin team, I would say to run don’t walk at an opportunity to work for Lighthouse. It’s rare that an “office job” makes you feel like you are really making an impact on your community. With Lighthouse, we have this incredible opportunity to work for an organization that is making such a direct and tangible impact on the communities we live in – it’s an incredible feeling to be a part of that.

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

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Setting a Strong Foundation, the Lighthouse Way – Meet Katie Meyer

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Meet Katie Meyer

In May of 2022, Lighthouse Autism Center is celebrating 10 years of business. This would not be possible without our tenured staff. These individuals helped build a strong foundation for Lighthouse Autism Center and continue to bring compassion and expertise every day! They have paved a path for an inspiring future of endless growth and possibilities. They have brought hope into our communities and homes. They have unlocked a world of unlimited potential. Thank you for being such a significant piece to our puzzle and for embracing Lighthouse Autism Center’s core values every day!

Katie Celebrates 10 Years at Lighthouse

Katie is the Senior Director of Operations at Lighthouse Autism Center. Her prior roles at Lighthouse include Registered Behavior Therapist, Senior Therapist, Junior Program Manager, Program Manager, Clinical Director, Regional Director, Director of Clinical Expansion, and Senior Director of Business Development.  Outside of work, Katie loves to travel and hike.

Life Before Lighthouse:

What was your career background/experience before Lighthouse Autism Center?


I started with Lighthouse fresh out of my bachelor’s program. I was a home therapist for 3 months before starting at Lighthouse Autism Center.

Lighthouse Journey:

Why did you originally apply at Lighthouse Autism Center?

I was working as a therapist doing in home therapy when Lighthouse opened. I knew I wanted to continue in the field and doing center-based therapy was exciting.

What is your favorite memory at Lighthouse?

I could never pick just one of my favorite memories at Lighthouse. The last 10 years have led me down so many different paths. Jordan and I worked together as therapists at our first location, and I don’t think either of us have looked at cheese or SpaghettiOs the same way since. Being in Warsaw I worked with the best team I’ve ever had. We were a small center that quickly became family and watching the center become what it is now makes me so proud. I’ve met some of my best friends through Lighthouse and I wish I could relive every single day.

How has Lighthouse impacted you personally?

The families, kids, and people I have met throughout the last 10 years have not only shaped my clinical career but have impacted me on a very personal level. Seeing the joy, and sometimes heartache, that comes from being involved with the autism community has a way of making you appreciate every single moment in your life…from the small ones of being able to read in peace or the big ones of watching my own kids grow up and learn new skills. I’ll never forget every parent that cried happy tears based on something we taught their child or every therapist who cried at the graduation of our clients. We have built something completely unique, and I am grateful every day that I came to work here 10 years ago.

What is your favorite part about working at Lighthouse?

I am incredibly lucky to work with the regional director team. Most of us have worked together for more than 8 years and I’ve never seen the level of respect, trust, and sincerity that we all give each other on a daily basis. Lighthouse started because of the passion of two parents with autism and our regional director team have carried that passion from day 1 and I’ve been so lucky to be a part of their team.

What does Lighthouse mean to you?

In short, Lighthouse is everything to me. LAC has provided me with a decade of memories and those can never be changed or taken away. Every client I’ve met along the way has a piece of my heart and I am better for knowing them all.

Which of the LAC Values do you most identify with?

Give away credit- I am SO happy to see people living our values every day and I love to recognize them for that.

What is your favorite change/improvement you have experienced in your time at Lighthouse?

My favorite improvement so far has been the development of Lighthouse 2.0 (Lighthouse Fusion). It has been so amazing to watch our company come together and create the next level of ABA therapy. We have always had clinical excellence at our core, but Lighthouse Fusion has allowed us to take the whole field of ABA in another direction and I am so excited for our clients and families.

What advice would you give to prospective or new employees?

The days can seem long, but every second is an opportunity for you to make an impact on someone’s life and that makes for a great day if you let it.

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

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Setting a Strong Foundation, the Lighthouse Way – Meet Sean Addley

Posted on by Allison Gonyon

Meet Sean Addley

In May of 2022, Lighthouse Autism Center is celebrating 10 years of business. This would not be possible without our tenured staff. These individuals helped build a strong foundation for Lighthouse Autism Center and continue to bring compassion and expertise every day! They have paved a path for an inspiring future of endless growth and possibilities. They have brought hope into our communities and homes. They have unlocked a world of unlimited potential. Thank you for being such a significant piece to our puzzle and for embracing Lighthouse Autism Center’s core values every day!

Sean’s Lighthouse Story

Sean is a Training Systems Manager at Lighthouse Autism Center in South Bend. His journey started as a Registered Behavior Therapist, then a Senior Therapist, followed by a Clinical Administrator.  Sean is a movie fanatic and can recite an abundance of movie lines and song lyrics form memory. Sean’s favorite color is green, and his favorite animal is a polar bear with the commonality of enjoyment for sleeping in cold spaces. He loves cheeseburgers with a fried egg. Some of Sean’s favorite activities are tailgating and cornhole.

Life Before Lighthouse:

What was your career background/experience before Lighthouse Autism Center?

Before coming to Lighthouse Autism Center, I was a teacher and football coach.

Lighthouse Journey:

Why did you originally apply at Lighthouse Autism Center?

A close friend of mine (who was a BCBA at Lighthouse) told me I would be really good at it, and I should check out Lighthouse. I am an education major, so I thought this was a great opportunity to gain experience during the summer when schools are closed. Once I got here, I knew this was something special and I wanted to be a part of it.

What is your favorite memory at Lighthouse?

There are too many memories to choose just one as my favorite, but I will share a funny one! I was a Senior therapist at the time, and one of the kids in my pod was getting upset. When that happens, he typically flopped out of his chair and on to the floor. I saw this coming and positioned myself so if he slid off his chair he would slide onto my knee, and I could keep him from falling on the floor. This also happened to be the ONLY time I ever wore khaki pants to work instead of jeans. So, when I knelt, the inner seems of my pants tore wide open! The therapist I was assisting with the behavior busted out laughing, and the giggles continued down the hallways as word spread as fast and wide as the hole in my pants. What do you think I did? Taped it up. Keep me in the game, coach!

How has Lighthouse impacted you personally?

Everything is on its way to somewhere, and I’m very lucky that my path in life crossed with LAC’s vision and values.

What is your favorite part about working at Lighthouse?

I believe that it’s not just about the work you are doing, but the people you are working with. The people who are here at Lighthouse, are here because they want to make a difference and be part of something that is bigger than themselves.

What does Lighthouse mean to you?

Everything is on its way to somewhere, and I’m very lucky that my path in life crossed with LAC’s vision and values.

Which of the LAC Values do you most identify with?

I can relate to all our values, but 4. Put a premium on innovation and creativity, is the one I most identify with. That’s just how my brain works, “what can I do to make this better/easier.” Not all my ideas were great ones, but all of them were accepted and encouraged.

What is your favorite change/improvement you have experienced in your time at Lighthouse?

Going digital! Getting rid of paper data and other wasteful paper processes.

What advice would you give to prospective or new employees?

You have an incredible opportunity before you! You will learn fundamentals of human behavior that you will remember for the rest of your life. You will work with some of the kindest, most caring people you’ve ever come in contact with. Most importantly, if you want to make a difference in a child’s life, Lighthouse is where you can have an impact every day.

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

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