Freeman Health System – Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism

Joplin, MO
December 2017

Overview
In the area served by Freeman Health System, more than 2,000 children live with autism spectrum disorders, a group of developmental disabilities characterized by impairment in social interaction and communication as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors. Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly improve a child's ability to learn, socialize and communicate. Developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic Autism Consulting Group, Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to help children become as independent as possible. Founded in October 2007, Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism works with government agencies, local schools and community groups to bring autism resources to local families so they do not have to travel great distances, relocate or do without autism services.

Impact
Our data indicate that all individuals served in our programs have progressed, and many have exceeded the amount of progress one would expect from an individual without autism. For example, when Donovan began at Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism, he did not speak, had no academic skills, had very weak muscle tone and rocked in his chair repetitively. Today he can read and do simple math, and his physical abilities continue to improve. Some students have learned to dress themselves, go to the bathroom by themselves or say the words “I love you” to their parents. Others have transitioned into mainstream classrooms in elementary schools.

To date, Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism has served 72 clients in its year-round preschool; 302 clients through outpatient services; 22 students in the Special Education Center, which opened in August 2010; and 492 families through the Autism Diagnostic Team since its inception in January 2011.

Lessons Learned
We quickly learned that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders was higher than we predicted, and resources to assist families with payment for these services were scarce. Within two weeks of opening the Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism preschool, we had a waiting list. We added outpatient services in 2009 to reach more families and sought revenue sources to help them.

In 2010, we obtained approval from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to open a Special Education Center that serves children from school systems in our area. To help families receive an autism diagnosis without traveling great distances, we formed an autism diagnostic team, which consists of a pediatrician, psychologist, speech therapist, behavior analyst and family educator.

In 2011, we received funding from the Southwest Missouri Autism Project to provide independent living skills instruction. Outpatient services have continued to grow with our addition of the Arkansas Autism Connection office in Bentonville, Ark., in 2013. In 2016, we added a Specialized Feeding Clinic for individuals with autism to both diagnose and treat feeding difficulties.

Future Goals
Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism plans to increase autism services to people of all ages by adding outpatient services for older youths and adults, as well as continuing to expand ABA services to young children and reducing our waiting list. We also plan to increase parent-training clinics and offer consultative services to local community organizations, schools and childcare facilities.

Contact: Martha Kungle
Marketing Manager
Telephone: 417-347-4621
Email: makungle@freemanhealth.com