Autism care is rapidly improving. Today, 1 in 36 children in the US are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Symptoms vary by gender, but typically, deficits in social communication and interaction challenges, along with repetitive behaviors, can be seen in children who are diagnosed.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is vital in improving the lives of children on the spectrum. It is within this crucial field that Syed Haider, MD, Founder of AB Spectrum, has made a significant impact.
Mr. Haider’s path to ABA therapy is both inspiring and passionate. While in medical school, he saw how poorly Caribbean schools treated children with autism. This experience sparked his drive to ensure these children get the care they need.
AB Spectrum’s founder uses his extensive experience in the medical field to create a supportive and effective environment at AB Spectrum. His expertise in healthcare operations supports the clinic’s ability to deliver exceptional ABA therapy. By promoting evidence-based practices, Mr. Haider continues to transform lives, one child at a time.
Strategic Leadership and Growth Management
As the founder of AB Spectrum, Mr. Haider leads the company’s strategic direction. He focuses on managing growth and ensuring the team has the resources needed to build high-quality clinics for children with autism.
Balancing these responsibilities is no small feat, but Mr. Haider’s expertise makes it seem effortless. He oversees the development of every aspect of the clinic, ensuring everything aligns with their mission. “It’s all about prioritizing and staying focused on our mission,” he says, highlighting his approach to leadership.
AB Spectrum: Empowering Children with Autism
AB Spectrum dreams of a world where everyone with autism reaches their full potential. Their core mission revolves around the Reggio ABA Therapy Clinics. These clinics specialize in personalized early intervention services for children between 1 and 6 years old. These programs provide the best possible start for young children, customized to their individual needs and abilities.
Beyond early intervention, AB Spectrum offers a wider range of support for children and families. Providing therapy in a 1:1 ratio while in a classroom equips children with the tools they need to thrive in social settings. Parent training is another pillar of their approach, giving families the knowledge and resources to effectively support their children’s development.
Recognizing the communication challenges often associated with autism, AB Spectrum also provides speech therapy services. Their comprehensive approach includes autism diagnostic services, ensuring each child receives a thorough evaluation to build their personalized treatment plan.
Revolutionizing Therapy with Playful Learning
AB Spectrum’s Reggio ABA program aims to transform traditional therapy into a more engaging, child-centered experience. This approach blends Reggio Emilia’s principles with ABA, moving away from rigid clinical models toward a more exploratory and playful experience.
Children at AB Spectrum take the lead in their therapy journey. The focus is on fostering creativity, exploration, and self-direction through activities like play, music, art, and nature. As Mr. Haider says, “We choose to deliver our services in a manner that ensures these children are able to target skills in everyday life.” This means learning essential skills like communication, self-care, and regulation relevant to everyday life.
The results of this playful approach are impressive. Children are more engaged and develop new skills through exploration. These skills, learned in a natural and fun context, better prepare them for school and beyond.
Supporting Staff for Success
Working in ABA therapy has its rewards and challenges. For Syed and his team, managing the stress and demands of providing high-quality therapy is a significant challenge. Finding professionals with the right mix of patience, empathy, and perseverance is difficult, and burnout is a real concern.
To tackle these challenges, Mr. Haider takes a proactive approach to employee well-being. The company prioritizes work-life balance, ensuring team members have the time and space to recharge. They offer ongoing supervision that exceeds the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s requirements, providing extra support and guidance. Regular employee satisfaction surveys identify concerns before they become problems.
Transforming Lives, One Child at a Time
Mr. Haider’s leadership at AB Spectrum has led to remarkable successes, impacting countless children and families. One particularly heartwarming story involves a young girl who once struggled to communicate. With personalized therapy goals tailored to her needs, she blossomed into a highly communicative and social child. This progress brought immense joy to her family and exemplified the clinic’s dedication to individualized care.
Another milestone is AB Spectrum’s Autism Diagnosis program. This initiative is lauded for drastically reducing wait times for families. By streamlining the diagnosis process, the program offers crucial support and reduces the anxiety and frustration caused by long delays.
As Mr. Haider puts it, “Our joy is the little moments that are truly life-changing for these children and their families.” These achievements reflect AB Spectrum’s commitment to creating meaningful, positive change in the lives of those they serve.
Finding Balance for Success
Mr. Haider prioritizes a healthy work-life balance, knowing it keeps him grounded and energized. He sets clear boundaries between work and personal life, making sure to take time for himself. Sports like tennis and soccer help him unwind and stay active.
Family time also plays a crucial role in his balance. He cherishes moments with his family, especially when they travel together, creating joyful experiences and lasting memories. At work, Syed fosters a fun and competitive atmosphere with company events like volleyball. These activities build team spirit and offer a refreshing break from the daily routine. They help Syed recharge and stay focused on his work and mission.
Growing to Serve More Children
AB Spectrum is always looking for ways to improve and reach more families. They are exploring telehealth options to expand their services across the US, allowing them to support families in more locations. Additionally, they plan to open new clinics in various states, increasing their accessibility and impact.
One exciting initiative that Mr. Haider is passionate about is launching an in-house Registered Behavioral Technician training program. Unlike traditional methods that rely on video learning, AB Spectrum’s program will be hands-on and comprehensive. This approach will address shortcomings in current training and ensure new technicians are well-prepared to work with children on the autism spectrum.
Syed Haider’s Message to Parents: Therapy is a Journey
Mr. Haider shares an important message with parents: “Therapy is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. We hope to be alongside parents throughout that process.” He stresses that therapy requires ongoing support and patience, especially since early intervention before age six can lead to significant progress.
Mr. Haider encourages parents to view therapy as a long-term journey, using the right tools and strategies to help their children reach important milestones. He also advocates for wider access to high-quality behavioral therapy. He urges both parents and government officials to push for improvements in therapy services. By celebrating every success, big or small, Dr. Haider believes families and professionals can stay motivated and recognize the gradual progress that makes therapy effective.
Quote
“Therapy is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. We hope to be alongside parents throughout that process.”
Also Read: The 10 Best ABA Therapy Providers for 2024
