Autism Care West

My advise to parents is to VIDEO RECORD EVERYTHING. RECORD. RECORD. RECORD. Cameras should be ample in the home and I personally would have liked a body camera for when my child was in ACW care alone.My wife and I were asked into a parent-techer meeting where we witnessed the use of physical force that neither of us found appropriate. I was pressed for feedback by the Supervisor and I had expressed as much. I then repeated in the lobby for Jon Paul to hear from his office.The use of physical force was ABSOLUTELY deemed inappropriate by my wife and myself. Under no circumstances was I going to allow my son to return if what we had witnessed were to continue.Our child was rubbing his hands from the pain. My son was then screamed at from another room to comply. He was then pushed by both shoulders into his chair. When he wouldnt look at the RBT who for correct pronunciation they grabbed his face forced him to look them. I nearly cried.Considering he still seemed in pain and confusion from having his hands slapped and being pushed around we really werent surprised that he didnt want to look at the RBT for pronunciation. If this was the next level of program for our son at ACW we were very un-impressed. Appalled actually.Just one week prior the morning after working with this SAME RBT and SUPERVISOR my son was tear-sobbing screaming in terror I WANT PAPA I WANT PAPA I WANT PAPA I WANT PAPA x10. I was confused since my child was eager to go for the past 18 months but after witnessing the way this particular RBT Supervisor were treating him it was extraordinarily obvious why he no longer felt safe at ACW and his mother and I agreed.The morning after the parent-teacher meeting I was called into the office by Jon Paul so he could teach me a lesson that was his actual reply when I asked the purpose of the meeting was. He then utilized the RBTs notes FROM WITHIN MY HOME in an attempt to convince me that I had stepped on RBTs toes disrupted my sons learning etc. My sons screaming the week prior was blown off as normal child protest. My son was afraid and absolutely did not like the physical force being used against him and in my wifes and I opinion the force was absolutely un-necasary and outside the boundry of neutral and positive touches.I would have preferred discussing alternate solutions rather than withdrawing our son immediately such as a different supervisor and not to work with this brand new RBT less than a month at ACW maybe but that didnt seem on the table.It was expressed that the techniques used were the only way they knew ABA therapy to work. No one else I talk to - not his Doctor not other ABA therapists no-one seems to think that slapping pushing and yanking childrens faces is necessary.While I dont have any particular concern with ACWs RBTs themselves they DO make mistakes and you as a parent are going to want to capture those so that you can hold ACW leadership and the RBTs accountable to the neutralpositive touching that is advertised. I did not record out of what I thought was mutual trust between the RBTs and myself only to learn later from my meeting with the principals that this was not the case.As an example when I walked in on my toddler PUNCHING HIMSELF IN THE HEAD the RBT said something like he has to work through frustration. Its those types of incidents I wish I had on video.Video record everyone. Body camera if you can. This may not be one of those places every day but on the day it does happen you will wish for video I can assure you of that.

Autism Care West ACW is an amazing organization with the most talented professionals in the business. The staff at Autism Care West is encouraging kind and smart. My child has been with Autism Care West for over 2 years and we have been treated like family the entire time. When my son started with ACW he had limited communication and now he is asking questions and having conversations. Dr. Janelle Saunders and her team will change your familys life for the better. I am so grateful for Autism Care West. ACW - thank you for paving the way for effective intervention in southern Nevada.

The program has helped my family immensely. Our grandson has made tremendous progress and continues to excel. Thank You Autism Care West

- The RBT slapped my childs hands so hard he jumped up and screeched so loud it echoed through the center.- Janelle Saunders who was NOT in the room...

My grandson started ABA Therapy in July and hes made so many wonderful improvements. He is vocal but does not communicate. Well not only has his two therapists Tom Jen helped him communicate he now also eats with a fork and hes starting to read Thats a lot of progress in 3 months They come to the house which is very convenient. They are in constant contact with the crew at the office. It feels like he has an entire team with him. And they always challenge him and praise him.

We were directed to ACW by our insurance company and were so glad it happened that way. The whole process from evaluating my child to writing his plan and contacting the insurance company took a month. They kept in contact with me the whole time and made sure to work around my schedule. My child has now had in home ABA therapy for 3 weeks and it has been life changing. He went from barely verbal to making demands. Its amazing to hear his sweet voice and for him to realize that his opinion matters. Our therapists Jen and Tom rock and so does the whole staff. They really know what theyre doing. I cant recommended this place enough.