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National Nurses Month is a time to acknowledge the amazing contributions nurses make to our lives and communities. Since 2005, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has held its annual Celebrating Nurses Awards each May to honor Atlanta's top nurses. The award program recognizes & celebrates their exceptional work, bravery and outstanding achievements at a special awards reception.
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Cookie Settings MIDTOWN MONDAY: Kiddos at Propel's Midtown clinic enjoying some seasonal festivities last week!Posted by Propel Autism on Monday, April 21, 2025","provider_url":"https://www.facebook.com","_id":"https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=704131922184774&set=pb.100077639166293.-2207520000&type=3","provider_name":"Facebook","type":"facebook-post","locale":"en_US","version":"1.0"},"type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"S5AQ6SUMEZHVTEGKYKZ4A26MFA","additional_properties":{"nofollow":false,"selectedStory":false,"sponsored":false,"openInNewTab":true},"type":"interstitial_link","content":"Autism and elopement: What you need to know about wandering, according to experts","url":"https://www.ajc.com/2025/04/autism-and-elopement-what-you-need-to-know-about-wandering-according-to-experts/"},{"_id":"3CBC5HRCPBG7RARZ4ONFZYJMUU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In ABA therapy, clinicians use positive reinforcement to encourage certain behaviors and decrease the incidence of others. According to Autism Speak, clinicians try to understand what outside factors affect problem behaviors. After identifying those factors, a consequence is doled out to attempt to curtail the behaviors."},{"_id":"3SJC3NRCSJHJLOORV3LDEMKF6I","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"While ABA therapy has been used widely already, Propel approaches the therapy differently, according to Lewis. For one, the experience level of the clinicians stand out. "},{"_id":"R7IHX6W2MJATJAC5MRBX52ZQGU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“These aren’t individuals trying to see if this is a space that they’re interested in,†Lewis told the AJC. Many of the clinicians have experience in different modalities, he says, whether it be demographics or age groups. They also have small caseloads so they can focus their energy on “what matters, which is helping our kiddos realize their potential and achieve their goals.â€"},{"_id":"23TC5XWPOBG6RIU3GP6X2NPI24","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"ABA therapy has been championed by many, but some people in the autism community have their reservations. Some criticize the therapy’s attempt to make autistic individuals “indistinguishable from their peers,†according to the Child Mind Institute."},{"_id":"3NAVNYC27ZD35KPNEKCJBYPBCY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The emphasis on things like eye contact or sitting still or not stimming is oriented around trying to create the trappings of the typical child,†the president and co-founder of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Ari Ne’eman, told the Child Mind Institute, “without acknowledging the reality that different children have different needs. It can be actively harmful when we teach people from a very early age that the way they act, the way they move is fundamentally wrong.â€"},{"_id":"K4HNHUMIAJFRFLF5WTN7JUK3IE","additional_properties":{"nofollow":false,"selectedStory":false,"sponsored":false,"openInNewTab":true},"type":"interstitial_link","content":"Chamblee officers learn how to interact with people on the autism spectrum","url":"https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/chamblee-officers-learn-how-to-interact-with-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/ZIEXI33IB5EL5BTYHAOXKZR3HU/"},{"_id":"BRRVEYFP3NANDNS3KNPYWRW4ZU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"But some parents say this specific therapy is helping their kids learn to become self-reliant, a powerful tool to take into adulthood. "},{"_id":"YDCXKC5A4VAYFNF3R2GGJK6GPE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“What I like is that they’re trying to help him live as independently as possible but they’re not trying to take his autism away,†Stephanie Kenniburg told the Child Mind Institute on her son’s experience with ABA therapy. “Like there are certain parts of his autism — the way his brain works, the way he thinks — and they’re not looking at that as something negative that needs to go away. They’re looking at it as ‘this is how he thinks so this is how we’re going to teach him how to live in the world.’ â€"},{"level":2,"_id":"HIGDTOEAE5BCTKGDFWNS5PYY7U","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"What is the goal of ABA therapy?"},{"_id":"DZG6MBDMCBGZPBPX54F6JXBTPA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"After a child receives an autism diagnosis, they may be referred to a clinician for ABA therapy. "},{"_id":"ZJSGZIP42VG2BESQIOSIHEXOLA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“(Propel) would then do our own evaluation and understand all the unique behavior challenges, strength areas, development areas, etc. and build a detailed, unique to that child, plan that will then be discussed with the family and submitted to insurance for approval,†Lewis said."},{"_id":"Q32Z2BTZGFDDVBL6MCPZBHCNYE","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"When the process begins, the goal is to prepare them to live independently, while also curbing behaviors that may harm them and others. "},{"_id":"ITQUG5QMQZBNJPFCIA4PABGUJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“The goal is to help these kids master out of ABA, and then realize their goals, and that could be different for every child,†Lewis told the AJC."},{"_id":"CWDWAS7HTZGQ7B26XIHFSGFP6I","additional_properties":{"nofollow":false,"storyId":"","selectedStory":false,"sponsored":false,"openInNewTab":true},"type":"interstitial_link","content":"How much does it cost to raise a child in Georgia?","url":"https://www.ajc.com/2025/04/201058-thats-how-much-it-costs-to-raise-a-child-in-georgia/"},{"_id":"DPWGWNCEHZFWBNOELWO5L77GI4","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"In one experience, the Propel team met a child that expressed many behavioral challenges that greatly affected their lives, including bed-wetting and tantrums. Within a year, Lewis shared that the child graduated from the program and is now “thriving†in school and winning academic awards. "},{"_id":"D4NVO2QMUFFN3CG732VXNZ2LAY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“In many cases, the goal is for them to graduate, and then go to school as independently as possible.†"},{"level":2,"_id":"AMYI7SBKRVDXFCMZ546KN2QFMA","additional_properties":{},"type":"header","content":"Is ABA right for your family?"},{"_id":"BR67YKBSIZEGBOBIPFL6E4X6AY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"It may be right to consider ABA therapy if your child with autism needs help with language or communication skills, social skills or other behavioral challenges that can impact their quality of life. "},{"_id":"6X7WWFM7KNFILGZBH6Y2YRXMWQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“They could tantrum. They may have some issues with emotional regulation. They may be nonverbal. They may not be able to make eye contact, or potty training may be difficult. Sleep may be an issue,†Lewis said."},{"_id":"5FZKEKZFWVD7PDEPE47FOIX2FM","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"Ask your pediatrician if they feel further treatment is a good idea, however, they are typically unable to provide a proper diagnosis. An autism diagnostician can perform a full evaluation and then refer you to a local ABA provider. "},{"_id":"JB5OMH47QBFLLLRDJSBELTUXBY","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“A lot of the time, parents may not want to speak to a doctor,†Lewis said. “But the earlier you are able to identify the signs, the earlier you can act on therapy that may be able to help them.â€"},{"_id":"ZBBHCIV2GFBFHBI2GRSFLOO5QU","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":""}],"subheadlines":{"basic":"Propel Autism is helping children with autism learn to live more independently. 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From booking doctor’s appointments and packing the diaper bag to remembering school projects and which kid only drinks from the green cup, the behind-the-scenes work never stops."},{"owner":{"sponsored":false,"id":"ajc"},"copyright":"2025 Atlanta Journal Constitution","address":{"region":"Georgia"},"auth":{"1":"e65600f4578685c222846eb1f394d87a9f81e30c8e39cc3047874463ebdc8f5a"},"caption":"Lauren Chambers feeds her son Hayden, six months, as her daughter Lola, 2, plays at their home in Smyrna on Monday, May 5, 2025. 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She first built a following with Fashionably Lo, her blog focused on affordable office outfits — back when co-workers snapped her photos and social media was just starting to take off."},{"_id":"2QXFDCMMZRED7BMZLEF27EZWZQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"These days, she’s creating content on Instagram and TikTok, focusing on lifestyle, motherhood and her body image journey."},{"_id":"66QHUF7N3NBGHCBIEEZXLAHJQA","additional_properties":{},"type":"text","content":"“I still share style, but more as it relates to being a mom and that journey — and just everything in between,†Chambers told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview."},{"subtype":"instagram","referent":{"referent_properties":{},"provider":"https://graph.facebook.com/v8.0/instagram_oembed?url=","service":"oembed","id":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJMHsaTxPRH/","type":"instagram"},"_id":"BMCCFFOJAFD5TAKBEFTPWZBFMQ","raw_oembed":{"author_name":"laurenelyce","width":658,"thumbnail_width":640,"html":"
