Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the identification of the speaker in the main photo of the story.
When Amy Holte works with older kids on the autism spectrum, the right environment can make all the difference. The noise and vivid environments can either overwhelm or patronize a person with autism.
That makes a new autism center tuned for older children incredibly helpful for Holte’s job.
“It’s a more age-appropriate environment, and they are not worried about children who might be working on emotional struggles not quite at the level they are on,” said Holte, a registered behavior technician with Burrell Behavioral Health. “It can be more quiet and more of a safe place for them to feel like they can be comfortable.”
Burrell officials on Wednesday celebrated as a new autism center opened up at 1730 E. Primrose St.
The center is tuned for older children and teens, said Seth Allen, director of Burrell’s autism center. With that age-based focus, the center can handle a coverage gap that autistic people fall into as they get older. Burrell’s original autism center, open since 2008, will continue to serve younger children.
“There is a regional, statewide and national gap in services for that age range,” Miller said. “We’re utilizing this space to have a dedicated place that’s designed to meet the needs of the older age population.”
The focus also helps Burrell to place staff members with patients they feel most comfortable with. During Wednesday’s event, Allen praised the center’s techs and other staff for outstanding work.
That environment helps techs such as Holte adjust, she said. Holte enjoys working with kids of all ages, but finds that she needs to temper her approach depending on their ages. The muted blues and teals of the new building, as well as its updated decorations, help her get centered, she said.
“I have to remind myself as I come over here for older clients to make sure I’m talking to them in a respectful manner, and not turning everything into a playful game,” Holte said. “It truly goes back to how this feels like a more grown-up space. I feel like to some degree that we’re resepcting clients’ dignity a little bit more.”
The center’s space was sitting empty a few months ago, Allen said. It has been equipped with a variety of rooms for different types of activities:
- A motor room features a swing, a small trampoline and other workout equipment.
- A lounge features a big, comfy couch, big-screen TV and video game system.
- A sensory room features huge cushions and the ability to block out some noise.
During Wednesday’s event, Burrell gave ribbon-cutting honors to Chandler Pratt, 10, a client who will seek treatment inside the building.
Arwen Pratt, Chandler’s mother, said getting an autism diagnosis was a long process, and once made, required even more waiting before Chandler could start receiving treatment. The new center assures Pratt that her son will keep getting gold-standard treatment, she said.
“HIs therapy has been able to help him navigate this world that we live in while having autism,” Pratt said. “They have given him so many tools, resources and support throughout this time that it has enabled him to figure out how he best fits in the world. This is going to help with those transition ages Chandler will be approaching before we know it.”
One of Chandler’s goals, Pratt said, was to hold a fundraising birthday party. That will happen on Thursday: Chow Down with Chandler will be held at 5 p.m. at Maso Pizza Bar, where attendees can play bingo and help raise money for the center.
While the new center will expand its focus, it will not introduce any new treatment methods, Allen said. The center offers applied behavior analysis, a treatment method considered one of the most effective for helping persons with autism navigate their behaviors. It also offers speech therapy and occupational therapy, as well as training resources and supports for parents, family members and other Springfield stakeholders.
But it will increase Burrell’s capacity for patients. Allen said Burrell treats hundreds of autistic clients every year.
Autism encompasses a broad range of developmental disorders with varying degrees of language, social or intellectual difficulties, and repetitive behaviors. The number of children being diagnosed on the autism spectrum of disorders is now up to 1 in every 36 children, according to a 2023 report from the CDC.
Allen said the new center is staffed with six full-time and several part-time techs, and that number will likely go up as the center finds its legs.
