Early Autism Project Opens First Atlanta Clinic

Ava's Law helps leading therapy provider expand services throughout Georgia

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Nov 30, 2016, 11:07 ET

DUNWOODY, Ga., Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia State Senator John Albers (R-56) and members of the Atlanta community gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of Early Autism Project's new state-of-the-art Atlanta clinic located in the Shops of Dunwoody at 5500 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.

The clinic provides children between the ages of 20 months and 21 years with the highest quality intensive, research-based behavioral treatment for autism spectrum and related disorders. For more than a decade, Early Autism Project has been a leading provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which is widely recognized as an effective, evidence-based treatment for autism. Early Autism Project provides ABA services to families across the country. ABA is endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General and American Academy of Pediatrics as the treatment of choice for autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 68 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder. ABA therapy is covered by many private and government insurance providers.

In 2015, Senator Albers played a key role in the passing of Ava's Law, which made Georgia the 41st state to mandate insurance for children six years and younger with autism. "We worked hard to pass Ava's Law to ensure children with autism throughout Georgia have access to life-changing therapy in the home and in clinics like the one we are opening today," said Senator Albers. "Providing ABA therapy to children with autism is an important investment in their futures and the future of our community because early intervention helps children become more independent and dramatically reduces the cost of lifelong care."

"The opening of the Early Autism Project Clinic demonstrates how Ava's Law is positively impacting children with autism throughout Georgia," said Anna Bullard, vice president of government, community and business relations for Early Autism Project and mother of Ava Bullard, for whom Ava's Law is named. "The additional insurance coverage provides children with autism access to critical early intervention therapy that is typically paid out of pocket by most families. Early intervention helped Ava progress from a two-year-old who we were told would never speak or be in a regular classroom to a successful seventh-grader who is thriving in a general education classroom and no longer requires intensive treatment. The new clinic will allow Early Autism Project to provide more children in the Atlanta area with customized ABA therapy programs to help ensure children like Ava reach their full potential."

Guests at the grand opening toured the clinic, which includes a large therapeutic play area with a trampoline, slide and other items used in therapy, and individual therapy rooms with skill-building games, books and computers.

Early Autism Project also operates clinics in Augusta, Byron, Macon and Pooler, and serves more than 200 children throughout Georgia. To learn more, visit www.EarlyAutismProject.com.

Early Autism Project is part of ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy and Education, a company that also includes Ombudsman Educational Services, which provides 32 alternative education programs throughout Georgia for middle and high school students who have dropped out or who are at risk of dropping out of school. ChanceLight, Early Autism Project and Ombudsman share a social mission to offer hope and ensure children reach their full potential.

About Early Autism Project

Early Autism Project (EAP) provides Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, which is widely recognized as an effective, evidence-based treatment for autism and is covered by many private and government insurance providers, including TRICARE, for children and young adults between the ages of 20 months and 21 years with autism spectrum and related disorders. EAP, a ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Education and Therapy company, provides comprehensive services to children and their families in their homes, in EAP clinics, in schools and at or near military bases throughout the country. For more information, visit www.EarlyAutismProject.com.