ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital Finnegan Family Autism Center
2105 Lawrence Ave.
Toledo, Ohio 43606
The Finnegan Family Autism Center works to set standards to diagnose autism early, offer options for individualized interventions and provide continued care and support. The center is home to the Autism Early Learning Program, as well as Avenues for Autism and iTalk. The University of Toledo Occupational Therapy Department supports open play sessions in our indoor and outdoor play/sensory areas.
General Overview
The Finnegan Family Autism Center offers individualized Applied Behavior Analysis services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The focus of the current Autism Early Learning Program is early intervention services for children ages 18 months to 6 years old. The center collaborates with community resources including Avenues for Autism and iTaalk. The University of Toledo Occupational Therapy Department also supports open play sessions in our indoor and outdoor play/sensory areas on a monthly basis.
Clockwise from top left: The playroom, the gym, the sensory room, the playground.
Autism Early Learning Program
When your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, you want solutions and services that address their unique needs.
Located in the ProMedica Finnegan Family Autism Center, the Autism Early Learning Program offers early intensive behavioral intervention services for children with autism utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The program operates year-around with options for full day and partial day services.
Each child's program is individualized with intervention focusing on building skills in the following areas: communication, behavior, play, socialization, adaptive, and developmentally appropriate skills acquisition. Services are implemented in classroom or therapy settings with 1:1 ratios and options for group learning as appropriate. Dependent on a child's skills and needs, group learning settings with a behavior analytic approach are also available. Parent training and participation are integral to every child's success and are mandatory across all programs.
Services at the Autism Early Learning Program are provided by board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) and center-based registered behavior technicians. Additional therapy services such as speech and language therapy can also be accessed at the center. All services are provided in accordance with Ohio licensure laws.
Please see below for a website with more information regarding autism spectrum disorder:
Learn more about autism spectrum disorder.
Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Our Autism Early Learning Program team at the Finnegan Family Autism Center is trained in applied behavior analysis (ABA), a science that uses behavioral techniques to teach children basic and complex skills. It works by reinforcing appropriate behavior while decreasing or eliminating interfering behavior. Opportunities for success are built into the program and adjustments are made as children progress, helping them function better in the world.
The goal of ABA is to go from a 1:1, highly structured teaching environment to a less structured teaching environment in a small group. Then, to go to a naturalistic, large group general education setting.
While using the principles of ABA, we systematically teach and reinforce small, measurable and attainable units of targeted skills. Every skill (small or complex) is broken down into small steps. Each step is practiced until success is achieved.
Services at this Location
- Autism Care
Enrolling in the Autism Early Learning Program
If you think your child would benefit from the Autism Early Learning Program, our staff can assess your child's unique needs to determine how best we can support your family.
If we believe our program will help you, we'll arrange an appointment with one of our team members. If we don't think the program is a good match for your situation, we'll recommend other options or provide referrals. Call us to enroll at 419-291-7080.
Parent Involvement
Our goal is to provide the best services possible for children with autism. We encourage you to be an active participant in your child's - intervention. This includes:
- Daily written correspondence with your child's team.
- Home visits twice a year by your child's behavior analyst.
- Parent training participation as indicated in your child's individualized treatment plan. This may include observation of your child interacting with their team at the center and you demonstrating and practicing skills with your child.
Insurance Coverage and Cost
The Autism Early Learning Program accepts most insurance plans. Potential costs would be dependent upon your insurance plan. Please check with your health plan for specific coverage information.
We are also an approved Ohio Department of Education Autism Scholarship provider. Outside agencies and school districts may also contract for program services.
Operational Hours
ProMedica's Autism Early Learning Program does operate year-round. Our offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. ABA services typically take place between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.