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Healthcare Provider Set to Accept New Patients Now, with New Treatment Center Opening Early March
ALLENTOWN – NeurAbilities Healthcare is bringing a unique approach to care for children with autism and other neurological, developmental and behavioral conditions starting next month in the Allentown area.
NeurAbilities, a regional provider of healthcare, is opening a new treatment center at 1405 Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite 109. The state-of-the-art facility will feature diagnostic services as well as treatment rooms and a children’s play area designed to provide families with an array of services that make care more seamless. NeurAbilities specializes in providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) – the preferred treatment for children with autism – onsite in the clinical setting or at home. Telehealth services are also available.
NeurAbilities’ new facility and services will fill a void in the Allentown area, as previous pediatric healthcare providers have recently left. Many families are also struggling with the strain of the pandemic. As a result of the pandemic, parents have reported a disruption to services or therapies for their children, according to a recent survey conducted by SPARK (Simons Powering Autism Research). Ninety-five percent of those surveyed reported that these disruptions have had a negative effect on their child’s behavior. Parents/guardians are also feeling stressed. Of the more than 8,000 surveyed, 97 percent indicated feeling overwhelmed due to disruptions to their child’s services or therapies. The pandemic has also contributed to a decrease in early screenings, which can be critical to helping a child grow and develop in later years.
Additionally, treatment for children with special needs can often be fragmented since it is often shared among various specialists and providers. Families who come to NeurAbilities will find a different type of experience as they are assisted by a team of physicians and therapists who will help them to develop a treatment plan that is coordinated, timely, effective, and targeted to a child’s specific needs. NeurAbilities brings services together with a Hope Ambassador (care coordinator) who will walk families through the process of accessing multiple services.
This approach has resulted in success for NeurAbilities patients, even with the unique challenges of the pandemic.
“We have found that our children are less likely to regress and that is because our doors have remained open during the pandemic. Our safe approach to in-person therapy and treatment plans are designed to reduce problematic behaviors and keep children progressing, even when life is interrupted,” said Kathleen Stengel, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Chief Executive Officer of NeurAbilities. “In addition to helping children, we can alleviate some of the stress that families are feeling because we help them navigate through a complex healthcare system that is not always targeted toward the special needs population. We look forward to serving even more families during this challenging time through the opening of our new center.”
The center, which opens officially on March 1, will feature an amusement park design to accommodate children with autism and developmental delays. It will include:
● Special lighting and temperature controls to address sensory sensitivities
● Flooring in the gym to provided protection and absorb sound
● Individual and group treatment rooms where children can practice social skills with trained therapists
Families interested in receiving services are encouraged to contact NeurAbilities for an appointment now. The process begins with an online request, and families are then assigned a Hope Ambassador who will escort them through care. The first step is an assessment of the child that is conducted by both a psychologist and behavior analyst. From there, a treatment plan is developed in conjunction with the family and other specialists, and then care begins. The process takes approximately 45 days. NeurAbilities is in-network with many insurance providers. Please visit the website for an inclusive list.
Leading up to the opening of the center, assessments can be done virtually or in homes, with NeurAbilities staff making sure to uphold all current COVID-19 safety protocols when visiting families.
About NeurAbilities Healthcare
NeurAbilities Healthcare was formed in 2005 by Dr. Mark Mintz, a leading pediatric neurologist. NeurAbilities is an innovative and integrative organization that provides diagnostic and treatment services for children and adults with neurological, neuropsychological, behavioral, developmental and learning challenges. Such issues include autism, epilepsy, ADHD, concussion and brain injury, intellectual disabilities, Tourette’s syndrome, headaches and migraines, anxiety and mood disorders, among others.
The organization’s unique “Specialty Care Medical Home®” model brings together a team of experts from all aspects of neurological care, working collaboratively to provide the most comprehensive care for each person. Using the latest advances, the NeurAbilities model of care yields accurate diagnoses and effective, personalized treatment plans.
Based in Voorhees, N.J., NeurAbilities also has diagnostic offices in Wall Township, N.J., and King of Prussia, Pa. In addition, the organization provides clinic-based ABA treatment services in King of Prussia and Bala Cynwyd, Pa and Freehold and Cherry Hill, NJ. Home-based ABA (applied behavior analysis) services are available in locations surrounding clinic locations in NJ and PA. To learn more or to make an appointment, visit NeurAbilities.com or call (856) 346-0005.
Information provided to TVL by:
Jessica Lester
