Staff Spotlight: Meet Ashley

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

Author: Maggie Gendel

Staff Spotlight: Meet Ashley

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Lighthouse Autism Center is starting a new initiative highlighting the amazing employees we have working at our centers. Our Staff Spotlight will feature employees across all different centers in a variety of positions. This is an opportunity for our community to get to know the people who work so hard every day to deliver the best aba therapy to the kids and families we serve.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ashley, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Warsaw, Indiana

Meet Ashley. Ashley is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Program Manager at our Warsaw center. Ashley has worked at Lighthouse Autism Center for 5 years and began her Lighthouse journey as an RBT before being promoted to a Senior Therapist and eventually a Program Manager. She designs unique programs for each of the children she works with and works with therapists to implement these unique programs.

Tell us about why you applied for a position with Lighthouse.

“I joined the LAC team for their values and passion for working with the kiddos and providing services for children in need in the area.”

What is your favorite memory from your time at Lighthouse?

“One of my favorite memories is being a part of the Warsaw Center expansion. During this time, we doubled in staff size and caseload in a matter of 6 months. This was exciting to me because it meant that LAC was able to provide more and more services for children in the area. The atmosphere at Warsaw has always been positive and collaborative. Given the openness of the center, all staff are provided with the experience of a team. Therapist, senior therapist and management are continuously working together to provide the best therapy possible for all of the kiddos.”

How would you describe your Lighthouse experience?

“I would describe my Lighthouse experience as wonderful. Through my different positions and locations at Lighthouse I have always been greeted with smiles and encouragement in my job. Now as a manager, I make sure to continuously follow our LAC values of care about people, more than anything and give away credit. It is the positive, kind words that go a long way!”

Ashley grew up in Valparaiso with a large family. She is the youngest of four and has 15 nieces and nephews! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, Wrigley and Duke!

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

Join Our Team About Us

Staff Spotlight: Meet Autumn

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Lighthouse Autism Center is starting a new initiative highlighting the amazing employees we have working at our centers. Our Staff Spotlight will feature employees across all different centers in a variety of positions. This is an opportunity for our community to get to know the people who work so hard every day to deliver the best aba therapy to the kids and families we serve.

aba therapist
Autumn pictured with her husband and two daughters

Meet Autumn. Autumn is a Senior Therapist at our Mishawaka location. Autumn has worked at Lighthouse for two years and began her Lighthouse journey as an RBT before being promoted to a Senior Therapist As a Senior Therapist she works closely with BCBA’s to implement behavior programs for Lighthouse kiddos.

Tell us about why you applied for a position with Lighthouse.

“After graduating with my B.A. in Sociology and Minor in Psychology from Indiana University, I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years and wanted to find a job where I could be able to continue working with kids and making a difference.”

Tell us about the team you work with.

“I have made some of my best friends while working at Lighthouse. Over the course of these two years, I’ve developed and grown friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. A couple of my co-workers and I even created a Book Club together (shout out to Alex, Veronica, and Ale), and I’ve made a lot more memories with co-workers that I consider to be great friends now!”

What is your favorite memory from your time at Lighthouse?

“There was one kiddo in particular that I had a very special bond with – I always looked forward to coming in to work and working with her, or just hearing her in the hallway talking up a storm. I think what I enjoy the most is that I truly love ALL of the kiddos that I work with! They are WONDERFUL!! Watching them grow and learn and develop their skills is truly an honor.

How would you describe your Lighthouse experience?

“I have loved working at Lighthouse! The 28th of February will be 2 years that I’ve been at Lighthouse and throughout my 2 years, I’ve worked at the Park Place, Granger and Edison locations, and I loved working at each one. I’ve learned so much about myself and I’ve developed such amazing friendships along the way. I’ve been able to learn from amazing people at each location. I feel immensely blessed to be working at Lighthouse.”

Autumn is currently working towards her Master’s degree in ABA at Ball State University. When not working with Lighthouse kiddos, Autumn enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

Join Our Team About Us

Community Resources for Autism in Elkhart, Indiana

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Autism Resources for Families with Autistic Children in Elkhart, Indiana

Have you ever heard the phrase, “it takes a village?” For families with autism, this is especially true as they try to provide the best quality of life for their loved one with autism. With 1 in 58 children diagnosed with autism, it is likely you or someone you know is affected by autism. Not only is it important that a strong family unit is in place for someone with autism, but, it’s also important that they have access to community resources that can assist them, such as recreational therapies, autism services, support groups, and more. In order to better support families with autism, Lighthouse has compiled a list of local autism resources in Elkhart, Indiana. Below, you will find a list of organizations that may be able to assist families with autism in Elkhart, Indiana.

ADEC Family Services

Contact Information: 574-848-7451 or www.adecinc.com
Caring and highly trained staff within ADEC’s Family Services are committed to working with your family to ensure the best possible development and community involvement for your child. For children, this is accomplished through offering summer camp, after school care, transitions, parental assistance for waivers and services, a sibling support group, autism services, a game group for young adults and music and recreational therapies. ADEC also provides services for adults with developmental disabilities, including supported employment, day services, residential services, and protective/legal services.

Anabaptist Disability Network

Contact Information: 574-343-1362 or www.adnetonline.org
Resources for churches and other groups who support the spiritual lives of families and persons who live with all types of disabilities, including mental illness.

Asberger/Autism Support Group of Goshen

Contact Information: 574-742-6394
Currently an online support group with occasional informal meetings. Information posted on the private Facebook group page.

Bashor Children’s Home

Contact Information:574-875-5117 or https://bashor.org/HOME.aspx
Offers education, residential, and community-based services for individuals.

Healthy Beginnings

Contact Information: 574-522-0104 or https://healthybeginningselkhart.org/
Healthy Beginnings offers four programs aimed at prevention, education and early intervention to enhance the health and lives of infants, young children and pregnant and/or breastfeeding women.

Loveway Therapeutic Equestrian Services

Contact Information: 574-825-5666 or www.lovewayinc.org
LoveWay, Inc. provides therapeutic horseback riding for people with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities of all ages.

Oaklawn

Contact Information: 574-533-1234  or www.oaklawn.org
Oaklawn joins with individuals, families, and our community on the journey toward health and wholeness by offering a comprehensive range of mental health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

The Voice: Parent Support Group

Contact Information: 574-848-2446
This group is the collaboration of ADEC, GPS, and the United Way.
It is a support group for parents of students in special education.

For more information regarding autism related resources in Elkhart, Indiana, contact the Family Outreach Coordinator at Lighthouse Autism Center at 574-387-4313.

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

Staff Spotlight: Meet Maddie

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Lighthouse Autism Center is starting a new initiative highlighting the amazing employees we have working at our centers. Our Staff Spotlight will feature employees across all different centers in a variety of positions. This is an opportunity for our community to get to know the people who work so hard every day to deliver the best aba therapy to the kids and families we serve.

Maddie’s Lighthouse Story

Registered Behavior Technician

Meet Maddie. Maddie is a Registered Behavior Technician or RBT at our Granger, Indiana center. As a Registered Behavior Technician, Maddie works one-on-one with children who receive ABA services at our Granger center. She is responsible for implementing customized ABA therapy programs for the children she works with. Maddie has worked at Lighthouse for four months and has loved every minute. In fact, she has enjoyed it so much, she has decided to pursue her master’s degree to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Tell us about why you applied for a position with Lighthouse.

“I’m very passionate about inclusion and love working with kiddos on the spectrum! I drove past Lighthouse every day on my way to work at another autism center and had heard so many amazing things about the company – which I can now confirm are all true! One day I just decided to apply and have not regretted the decision once!”

Tell us about the team you work with at Lighthouse.

“Every single one of the ladies I work with is absolutely amazing! The love for the kids is astounding, and they’re always so helpful! It’s amazing to be part of the Lighthouse family!”

What is your favorite memory from your time at Lighthouse?

“My favorite memory at Lighthouse was definitely our Christmas party with the kiddos! Seeing their faces light up with joy as Santa walked in and just getting to have fun with them was one of the most amazing things! I’m looking forward to experiencing it again this Christmas!”

How would you describe your Lighthouse experience?

My experience at Lighthouse has been incredible! It’s so rewarding to grow closer to the kids and watch them progress! Not only that, but every LAC staff member I’ve encountered has been very friendly and always so helpful! I am truly blessed to be a part of Lighthouse Autism Center!

When Maddie isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, chocolate lab, Hershey, and singing.

Interested in working as a RBT like Maddie? Lighthouse Autism Center is hiring. 

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

Join Our Team About Us

Community Resources for Autism in South Bend, Indiana

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

A Comprehensive Guide of Community Organizations in South Bend, Indiana

The most recent CDC report stated that 1 in 58 children are diagnosed with autism. Chances are, you or someone you know is affected by autism in some way. Whether you were diagnosed, a child, a family member, or a friend. Those who care for someone with autism know that it truly takes a village to be able to provide them with the necessary tools and supports to be successful and have the best quality of life. This can be in the form of supportive family members, teachers at school, parent support groups, and other community resources. Many are unaware of the community resources that exist and how to access them. Below is a list of community resources related to autism in South Bend, Indiana. Most of these resources not only serve South Bend, Indiana, but provide support to families all over the Michiana area.

“A Place to Be Me” – Children’s Dispensary, Inc.

www.childrensdispensary.org

The Children’s Dispensary provides social and recreational activities in the South Bend area to allow children and families with special needs social interaction. They do this through fun in music, creative arts, cooking, movement, and sports in the community.

Autism Spectrum Disorders Family Support Group

574-289-4831

This South Bend, Indiana area resource is open to families and caregivers of those with autism. They do not have a website but can be reached at 574-289-4831.

INSOURCE

www.insource.org

INSOURCE provides families, parents, caregivers and providers in the state of Indiana with information and trainings to be able to advocate for individuals with special needs.

LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
https://www.logancenter.org/

LOGAN is long-standing member of the South Bend Community and has served as a support to special needs families for over 50 years. They support people and families with special needs including adult day services and recreation, autism services, best buddies and super sibs, children’s services and residential services.

The Play Project
Home

The Play Project in South Bend, Indiana seeks to assist young children with autism in reaching their fullest potential through the power of play.

If you are looking for more information about resources for autism in South Bend, Indiana, please contact Lighthouse Autism Center’s Family Outreach Coordinator at 574-387-4313.

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese Visits Newest Center in Elkhart, IN

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Elkhart Mayor meets student at Elkhart’s newest ABA Center

Mayor Visits Elkhart ABA Center
Elkhart Mayor meets student at Elkhart’s newest ABA center.

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese visited Lighthouse Autism Center’s newest center in Elkhart, IN. Mayor Neese met with founder and Executive Director, Gregg Maggioli, to learn more about Lighthouse and the ABA services being offered to the Elkhart community, as well as the 30 additional
jobs that will be created through the opening of the new center. Following their meeting, Mayor Neese toured the center, visiting therapy rooms, the playroom, and group therapy spaces. The Mayor also had the opportunity to meet some of the kiddos who attend Lighthouse Autism Center in Elkhart and provided them with a small token to commemorate his visit.

Lighthouse Autism Center in Elkhart is currently enrolling. To learn more or schedule a tour of the new center, contact us at 574-387-4313.

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

Heart of the Matter – Denny and Ronnie Maggioli Retire

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Most people might not know that my parents, Denny and Ronnie Maggioli, have had a huge impact on the success of Lighthouse Autism Center, going all the way back to the very beginning, when our first center opened in 2012. When we opened our first center, my family and I lived in Carmel, Indiana and I commuted back and forth for nearly two years. During the week, I lived with my parents and traveled home to Carmel on the weekends. Not only did my parents welcome their grown son back into their home, but they have played a huge role in the design of each center. With an eye for interior design, my mom has picked paint colors to be used inside the centers, creating a bright and warm, and most importantly, non-clinical feel for the children who attend the centers. My Dad has worked as a dedicated handyman, carpenter, painter and fixer of all things for each of our centers since 2012. Simply said, Lighthouse Autism Center would not be what it is today without the time and love put into each center by my parents. As they officially announce their retirement, we could not be more thankful for their impact not only on the centers, but on each of the kiddos who have attended Lighthouse. Thank you for your tremendous work and dedication to Lighthouse Autism Center – we could not have done it without you!

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

The Heart of the Matter

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

A word from our Executive Director

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on our many blessings and seek ways to give back to others who may be less fortunate. Each year, Lighthouse Autism Center participates in a community service project. Past projects have included: sponsoring a Christmas dinner and gifts for few local families, providing a day of free child care for families who attend Lighthouse Autism Center, and working with local nonprofit organizations to collect whatever donations they may need.

This year, our newest center, in Portage, MI, organized their own community project.  Angel Tree Toy Drive helped provide “angel tags” to the employees at our Portage center.  Each Portage center employee purchased gifts for a member of a local family. The gifts were dropped off to the Salvation Army in local Kalamazoo and Portage area to families in need.

Gregg Maggioli

Executive Director

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

Lighthouse Opens Sixth Center in Granger, Indiana

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

New center to open in Granger, in January of 2019.  We will immediately begin serving children with autism in the Granger area. As with all other centers, the idea for a Granger location has driven primarily by the needs for increased ABA services in that community.

Many current Lighthouse families live in Granger, and many families on the waiting list for other centers also reside in this community.

With a high demand for quality, center-based ABA services, Lighthouse sought to fill this gap in services. the community asked, and Lighthouse listened.

This new Granger center will also include speech therapy services, along with all other Indiana Lighthouse centers, in the spring of 2019.

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.

Find a Center Contact Us

Staff Spotlight

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Madelyn’s Lighthouse Story

Madelyn Horvath, ABA Therapist

Lighthouse Autism Center would not be the fun and caring center it is without our talented and dedicated staff. Our Staff Spotlight, Madelyn Horvath, is one in particular that has truly made an impact on the lives of our children. Madelyn stated, “My favorite thing about working at Lighthouse is that it doesn’t feel like work. I genuinely love coming here and being with these kiddos.”

Madelyn graduated from Valparaiso University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She began her career at Lighthouse in February 2016.

Madelyn has put her heart and soul into her work and it shines through. she said one of her favorite and most fulfilling parts of her job is when a child reaches their goal. she said, “I love having expectations be blown out of the water when a kid surpasses a goal that at the start seemed unlikely to be successful. I love telling a parent at the end of the day something their child did awesome and seeing the parent’s face light up like i just told them their child won the lottery.”

Additionally, she has card for her two autistic brothers since she was 16. She said, “I have a very special place in my heart for these kids. I love that when I talk about my job to people who have no idea what i do that when i’m done talking, they go “wow, I can tell you like what you do.”

Ready for a career where you can make a difference?

Join Our Team About Us

Hannah and Friends Run and 5K

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Hannah and Friends Annual 5K Run and Walk in South Bend, IN

Group Photo

Lighthouse Autism Center sponsored and put together a team to participate in the annual Hannah and Friends 5K Run and Walk in South Bend, IN. Each year, Hannah and Friends, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and compassion for those with different abilities, hosts the walk and run in order to raise funds for there many programs that benefit children and adults with special needs.

This is  the fourth consecutive year Lighthouse Autism Center has sponsored and participated in this event. It is something we look forward to every year and our staff are always excited about. It is a great opportunity to give back to other organizations within our community and support their various missions. We are excited to continue this tradition of sponsoring this event, and are looking forward to it next summer!

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services

Autism Minute – Episode 2 – Instructional Control

Posted on by Maggie Gendel

Lighthouse Autism Center has recently completed the second episode of our Autism Minute series. The Autism Minute is a video series created by Lighthouse Autism Center to provide helpful tips and resources for parents and caregivers of children with Autism. Each series is led by one of our 10 full-time Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and covers a topic we believe to be relevant to caregivers.

The second episode of the Autism Minute is about Instructional Control and your child. The video discusses what Instructional Control is,  how to gain it with your child, and the benefits that come from having instructional control, including gaining respect from your child and forming a better relationship with them.

[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFx6bSxRiMI” autohide=”1″]

Hi, my name is Natalie Donkersloot. I’m a program manager at Lighthouse Autism Center at the Edison-Mishawaka location working with the early learners. I’ve been at Lighthouse for a little bit over a year. I’ve began having a passion for applied behavior and analysis in autism in my undergrad at Western Michigan University. Then I decided to pursue a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis while at Western. One of my favorite things about working at Lighthouse is that I get to make a difference in children’s lives every day. Thank you.

 

 

Today we are going to talk about the importance of earning instructional control between parents and children who have autism. So what is instructional control? It is pairing yourself with your child so that you have a positive working relationship and your child will want to follow your lead to listen and learn. What is pairing? It is the process of combining or pairing the learning environment, people, and setting with items that your child already finds rewarding. In other words it is very important to have a relationship with your child in which they respect you. Often when we have new kiddos start at Lighthouse, parents report that their child does not listen to simple demands or engages in problem behavior when they do not get what they want. While this is not uncommon for children who have autism, there are strategies to help you build and improve a relationship with your child. According to Robert Schramm, there are seven steps to earning instructional control with your child.

 

 

After implementing the seven steps of instructional control with your child, you will build a better relationship with your child, earn their respect, experience less problem behavior, and you will begin to see your child want to listen to you in order to get good things. You are not going to be able to teach your child everything you want him or her to learn, if you do not earn his/her willingness to follow your lead first.

 

 

Step 1: Clean the House of Toys. The first step is showing your child that you are the one in control of items that they want to hold or play with and that you will decide when they can have them. You should be in control of all of the toys in the house and the child has to go through you to get those items. This means that you need to clean the house of any toys, items or activities that your child likes to play with by putting all of the toys up out of access of your child.

 

 

Step 2: Play with your Child. The second step is showing your child that you are fun. This means interacting with your child when they are playing with their favorite toys and activities. You never want to manipulate the child, but manipulate the toy in order to get what you want. This means that the child can play with the toy, but only when it is with you. When the child leaves the area with you then they lose access with the toy.

 

 

Step 3: Show that you can be Trusted. The third step is showing your child that you can be trusted. It is very important to always say what you mean and mean what you say. This means following through with any and every demand that you give your child. You want to make sure to consider your words carefully. For example, do not ask questions that your child can answer “no” to when you would like them to do something. Do not ask, can you through your plate away? Instead say, throw your plate away.

 

 

Step 4: Provide Toys when your Child Complies. The fourth step of instructional control is showing your child that following your directions are to their benefit and that is the best way for them to obtain what they want. Give your child easy directions and if they comply then give them access to their favorite toys or activities. For example, if you ask your child to clean up the toys on the floor and they complete the task the first time you ask, then allow them to have five minutes playing with a preferred toy. However, if you give them unlimited time with that toy, the toy will lose its reinforcing value. Also it is important to have reasonable expectations of what you want your child to do based on his/her skill level.

 

 

Step 5: Provide Toys after every Appropriate Behavior. The fifth step of instructional control is making sure that you provide a reinforcer every time your child engages in good behaviors. You want to make sure to give attention to the good things that they do. This can be something as simple as telling your child what a nice job they are doing playing with one of their siblings.

 

 

Step 6: Know your Child’s Favorite Toys. The sixth step of earning instructional control consists of demonstrating that you know your child’s priorities as well as your own. Make sure to keep a list of their favorite items and activities and then deliver the more preferred toys for harder instructions. If your child has never been able to independently get dressed, and they do one morning, then that would be a great time to provide a preferred toy or activity.

 

 

Step 7: Show your Child that choosing to NOT Listen to you will NOT Benefit Them. The seventh step of earning instructional control consists of showing your child that ignoring your directions or choosing inappropriate behaviors will NOT result in any good things like toys, for instance. This means that the ONLY way that they can get attention and toys is by engaging in appropriate behaviors. If they engage in inappropriate behaviors they will NOT get toys and attention.

 

 

So here are the “Take Away Points”. By implementing the seven steps of earning instructional control with your child, you could potentially improve your relationship with your child, earn your child’s respect, experience less problem behavior, and you will begin to see that your child wants to listen to you in order to get good things. You are not going to be able to teach your child everything you want him/her to learn if you do not earn his/her willingness to follow your lead first. Here are the seven steps one last time. First step, clean the house of toys and keep them out of reach of your child. Second step, play with your child when they are playing with their favorite toys and activities. Third step, show your child that you can be trusted. Fourth step, provide toys when your child complies. Fifth step, first provide toys after every appropriate behavior, and then once they’re engaging in those appropriate behaviors reliably, expect more out of them before you give them the same type of reinforcer. Sixth step, know your child’s favorite toys. Seventh step, show your child that choosing to not listen to you will not result in toys or good things.

 

 

Together, we can unlock your child’s potential

Get in Touch Autism Services
Translate »