In this episode, Caroline Maguire explores the nuances of friendship through a neurodivergent lens, drawing from her book Friendship Skills for Neurodivergent Adults. She shares personal insights on social challenges, the difference between belonging and popularity, and the impact of masking and mismatched communication styles. Caroline introduces her “Three P’s” of friendship—Proximity, Practice, and Participation—as a framework for building meaningful connections, while also unpacking how friendships can evolve, from seasonal to lifelong. This conversation offers practical guidance, research-backed insights, and an empowering reminder to honor your own unique path to connection.
With over 10 years of experience providing compassionate contemporaryABA therapy to children with autism, we’re delighted to share that we opened a new SPARKS Learning Center this fall in Manassas, Virginia. The new center held an open house that included an official ribbon-cutting with their local Chamber of Commerce and opportunities for families to tour the facility, speak with the leadership team, and participate in fun activities. This new location offers a supportive, learning-rich environment where children with autism can work on individual skills in a group setting.
We couldn’t be more excited to support more families in the communities we serve. To learn more about where our services are located, find a location.
SPARKS ABA Learning Center Now Open in Springfield, VA
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No Waitlist and Expanded Year-Round Services for Fairfax County Area Families
SPRINGFIELD, VA… SPARKS ABA, a provider of LEARN Behavioral, has recently opened the doors of its new Learning Center at 5501 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151.
SPARKS ABA is Virginia’s premiere contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) provider of center-based autism services for children and adolescents ages 18 months to 15 years. The Backlick Rd. Learning Center is SPARKS ABA’s second location in Springfield.
“We are thrilled to open our doors and expand our compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and families throughout Fairfax County,” said Kayla Bagnato. “Through highly personalized support, we aim to empower each child and young adult to gain independence to succeed in school and life and reach their highest potential.”
The new Springfield Learning Center offers center-based and in-home ABA services, SPARK Saturdays (social skills group), and parent education/training.
Key Features of the Springfield Learning Center:
Large facility which includes a gross motor space for physical and social development.
ABA therapy, which includes a learning-rich environment, unique play-based learning spaces, and one-on-one support.
Serving children ages 18 months to 15 years old with personalized therapy plans.
Launchpad Learning – a school readiness program for children ages 2 to 6.
No waitlist and flexible treatment hours that include after-school hours to accommodate busy family schedules.
Conveniently located right off I-495 and I-395, and easily accessible for families in the region.
The center is now enrolling new clients in the Fairfax County area and beyond.
SPARKS ABA, part of LEARN Behavioral, a national leader in compassionate autism treatment, has been a leading provider of evidence-based autism services for 15 years. SPARKS ABA is dedicated to personalized, high-quality ABA therapy. For more information or to enroll a child at the Springfield Learning Center, call (703) 373-7557 or visit https://www.sparksaba.com.
About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.
8 Tips for Planning for a Successful Holiday for Your Child with Autism
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The holidays are an exciting time as we share traditions, spend time with family, and navigate the different gatherings and celebrations. Holiday spirit can also bring holiday stress. We want to help you and your family have the most successful (and least stressful) season by offering our best practices and tips.
BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS
Start with Expectations
Having a positive and realistic mindset about what you want to create can make a big difference. What could go right this season? Keep an optimistic view of the possibilities for special moments you want to share. A winning holiday doesn’t have to mean extravagant plans. Consider what would be ideal, be prepared to accept when flexibility is needed, and look for the wins along the way.
Consider Comfort and Safety Needs
When visiting events or other homes, bring items you know will bring comfort for your child—things like earplugs (or headphones), fidgets, and soft clothes. When traveling, ask for needed accommodations from your airline and hotel. Make sure you are aware of possible water nearby and review crisis plans with loved ones.
Practice Before Events
Now is a great time to discuss upcoming changes to schedules and routines. Involve your child in the process whenever possible. Playing memory games with photos of those you will see this holiday season allows your child to identify matching names and faces. Establish a phrase or code word with your child to practice using when they need to take a break from events to calm down and relax.
DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Maintain Routines
During the holidays, change is inevitable but find ways to create or maintain routines for your child. What are things you can build into every day? Perhaps it’s something you do together each morning, afternoon, and evening (regardless of location). Utilizing visual supports like calendars and independent activity schedules can be helpful too.
Build in Fun!
Whether days are filled with errands or time at home, consider letting your child choose a couple of activities each morning for the day ahead. Here are some suggestions that might work for your family:
Bake something together
Do holiday arts and crafts
Take a drive to see holiday lights in your neighborhood, zoo, or garden
Help with decorations or gift wrapping
Sing along with holiday music
Consider Sensory Needs
Holiday meals can be tricky for some. Plan ahead for alternative foods that you know your child will eat. As we mentioned earlier, being mindful of dressing in (or packing extra) comfortable clothing can be helpful. Preferred items, such as toys or other objects that help promote calm for your child, are a good idea too. Consider making a sensory box that includes things to stimulate your child’s touch/sight/sound/taste/smell. Finally, establish a quiet “break space” that your child can utilize when needed.
WRAPPING UP THE HOLIDAYS
Plan for Rest and Recovery
After each scheduled big event or outing, try to allow time for a quiet evening that follows. Start a list or document on your computer of things that went well that you want to repeat and ideas about what would make it easier next time.
Transition Back to School
Packing holiday decorations and unpacking clothes can be helpful signals to your child that things are moving back to the normal routine. Other visual cues like a countdown calendar for back to school can help prepare them. Show them when school starts and have them mark off the days. Leave extra time the first morning back to school so you can have a nice breakfast and move with ease into the day. If possible, organize a nice, calm activity after school and focus on what went well at the end of the day.
Living a Full Life with Autism with Martin Slyngstad
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Martin Slyngstad a Behavior Specialist, and currently in school to become a Speech Pathologist, joins us to discuss his multitude of interests and accomplishments as a young autistic adult. Martin is the author of Chatter Box: My Life with Autism A Mother and Sons Perspective, founder Spire Autism, and Special Olympics gold medal winner. Martin’s warmth and sincerity are contagious as he shares his passionate belief that everyone should celebrate their authentic life.
In this episode we are joined by three dynamic women who share their perspectives on how to best care for yourself and your family while raising a child with autism. Arfa Alam, a first generation Muslim American with neurodiverse family returns to share her wisdom and passion with us. Heather Link is a clinical Director who shares her experiences of both providing services and receiving services for her own family. Liza Hellenbrand is the mother of a thriving, 21 year old son with autism who also hosts the Empowered Caregiver podcast. Join this powerful women’s circle as they share from different backgrounds and experiences to offer sage advice to other moms.
All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).
Advocating for Your Family and Good, Contemporary ABA With Arfa Alam
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Arfa Alam is a senior manager at the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit that envisions a dynamic and innovative federal government that effectively serves our diverse nation. Prior to joining the Partnership, Arfa performed labor human rights and social responsibility work in more than 40 countries in both the public and private sectors. Arfa joins us to share her experience and deep conviction for the appropriate care, and rights for all. She is the proud mother, wife, and sister of disabled and differently-abled individuals, including her two autistic sons, her husband who lives with early onset Parkinson’s disease, and her twin sister, who is deaf and was the first person in life to teach her about differences and empathy.
As she shares, “As a first-generation American, it is particularly important to me to bring awareness, acceptance, and inclusion to our communities for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergences.” Arfa’s passion for public service stems from her experience as a first-first-generation Muslim-American with special needs family members. We are grateful for the opportunity to have this discussion with Arfa and we look forward to having her with us again soon.
All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).
The Autism Diagnosis Process: What to Expect
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When it comes to parenting, the unknown can be one of the hardest parts. Worries creep in if you suspect something’s wrong with your child’s development. If you think your child may be showing signs of autism, there’s no guidebook to tell you what to do next.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. The process gets easier when you know what to expect.
If you’ve found your way to this post, you’ve likely taken the first step: questioning whether your child shows signs of autism.
Recognizing this possibility is a significant and sometimes challenging move. Rest assured, you’re not alone. This guide is here to provide you with valuable insights and support as you navigate through this process.
Understanding Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how a person interacts, learns, and behaves. Everyone on the spectrum is different. Signs of autism usually start showing up when a child is very young.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Autism symptoms can be different for everyone. If your child is not growing or learning like other kids their age, or if they have any of the following signs, you might want to talk to your pediatrician:
Not smiling at others by six months
Not gesturing or pointing to communicate by 12 months
Not babbling by 12 months
Not using single words like “no,” “mama,” “dada” by 16 months
Not using two-word phrases like “want cup,” “go play” by 24 months
Not responding to sounds, voices, or their own name by three years
Poor eye contact by three years
Little interest in other children or caretakers by three years
Losing skills they once had at any point by three years
The Diagnosis Process
Getting a diagnosis of autism starts with an evaluation. Experts will examine how a child behaves and will look at their past development. If your child’s pediatrician thinks it might be autism, they’ll send your child to an expert for a closer look. This process includes:
A parent interview
Review of medical, psychological, and school records
Assessment of cognitive, developmental, and adaptive functioning skills
Observation of your child during play
What Happens Next?
After an autism evaluation, our team of specialists will review and interpret the results. If your child is diagnosed with autism, our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan includes therapies to help improve communication, social skills, and behavior.
At LEARN, we work with families on a plan tailored to your family’s needs. We will adjust the treatment plan as needed. We’ll also provide you with resources and support.
Whether you’re just noticing signs or you’re already deep into the diagnosis process, our team is here to help. We know that recognizing and diagnosing autism can be challenging. But with the right support and guidance, you can navigate it confidently.
Self-Care and Sensory Needs for Neurodivergent Individuals
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Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a Neurodivergent Psychologist joins us to discuss discovering her own autism in the aftermath of her child’s diagnosis and how that has inspired her passion to support the neurodivergent community. Dr. Neff describes the experience of her autism revelation in this way, “For the first time in my life, my body made sense, my experience of self made sense, and it was a powerful moment of liberation.” We also delve into helpful strategies about sensory sensitivity and self-care that are helpful for adults and parents of children with autism.
How ABA Therapy Helped Our Children Succeed: Insights from Two BCBA Moms
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In this informative video, two Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) moms, Heather and Trisha, share their personal experiences with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and how it has helped their children succeed. For more information about our ABA Therapy services, visit: https://lrnbvr.com/yt-aba-moms
