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Our Mission

GBC exists to inspire and empower individuals, their families and their communities. Our compassionate team uses high-quality services and innovative programming to help build confidence and independence through our patient-centered approach.

 

Our Vision

GBC helps transform the lives of individuals, their families and their communities by helping them lead the most fulfilling and independent lives possible.

 

Our Diversity Statement

At GBC, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are committed to empowering and supporting our patients, staff, and families. We listen and engage with our diverse communities. We value teamwork, building a culture where difference is appreciated and putting our resources and attention towards improving the engagement, and retention of our incredible team. We are devoted to expanding our network of people, programs, and tools as we continue to grow in the Midwest.

GBC Core Values

GBC Autism Services core values

Needs We Address

GBC’s team of specialists have extensive experience and expertise providing services based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), addressing the comprehensive needs of individuals from infancy to adulthood, servicing areas of:

Communication

We help with communication by assessing if the patient is able to meet their needs and wants independently. If they cannot, then GBC will help the family and child develop a strategy so that they can communicate their needs and wants. We are able to help families supplement vocal communication using PECS, sign language, or voice output devices (AAC).

Feeding

We can help with picky eating and barriers associated with mealtime. We focus on developing mealtime behavior including sitting at the table to eat, using utensils, drinking from a cup, and using a napkin. For restricted eating, we work closely with a child’s speech language pathologist to treat behavioral feeding issues. We utilize a variety of techniques to increase food choices including systematic desensitization, premack principle, and reinforcement.

Potty training

GBC supervisors will assess a child’s potty training readiness to determine if a toilet training protocol is appropriate for the learner. We work closely with families to determine what type of toilet training will be most beneficial. We offer timed toileting or intensive toilet training.

Social skills

We work closely with each family and patient to determine areas for programming related to social skills. We can incorporate peers and siblings into our therapy appointments to practice social skills in a natural occurring context. We utilize role play and practice during appointments that we then generalize to natural environments (home, community, and schools).

Leisure skills

At GBC, one of our values is fun! We want all of our patients to have rich, meaningful lives and we actively prioritize the development of leisure skills. We work on age typical leisure skills and like to follow the child’s lead and interests.

Increasing general independence

At GBC, we value patient independence and want to help our patients and families lead the most independent lives possible. We partner closely with our patients and families to determine what independence looks like. Independence is relative. For some patients, independence might be taking an Uber to a community event on their own. We would program for this and provide practice opportunities to help our patient learn the steps needed to accomplish that. For other patients, independence might be related to engaging in a play activity. We would provide individualized programming to teach these skills to our patients. Once the skill is learned, we would then remove ourselves to allow the patient to engage in the new skill independently.

Sleep training

At GBC, we utilize the RUBI curriculum. This curriculum has a sleep supplement that is a great starting point for questions related to sleep training and difficulty with bedtime routines. Additionally, the supervisors at GBC can create an individualized approach to sleep problems and challenges with bedtime routines.

Behavior management/coping skills

We utilize a functions based approach to treating challenging behaviors. We view behavior as communication and always seek to provide a functional replacement behavior. We utilize Functional Behavior Assessments to assess behavior challenges and deficits. Once a function of behavior has been identified, the therapy team will work together to identify a socially acceptable replacement behavior. This replacement behavior is taught in place of the identified behavioral challenge. A functional behavior assessment is individualized to each child. We also provide Family Treatment Guidance to family and caregivers to work together on coping strategies and replacement behaviors for each patient.

Our Approach

Professionals at GBC are committed to improving the lives of individuals with autism, their families and caretakers. We do this by utilizing time- and research-proven techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

 

We will help you understand the choices available to you and can help you prioritize your concerns in an effective manner regardless of the situation or setting. There is no one “cookie-cutter” approach. Every service we provide is tailored to promote independence for your child. GBC accomplishes this using open communication with the goal of equipping you with knowledge to make optimal decisions for your family.

 

It is the aim of GBC to help ensure everyone who needs in-home ABA services for their loved one receives them. We hope you will contact GBC to determine if we are a good fit and let us meet your family’s needs. If, however, we cannot serve you, we will help you find a provider who can.

Two small children playing in the sand.
When you’re ready to talk, we are ready to listen.