March 3, 2020 (Mankato, MN) – Caravel Autism Health has opened the doors to a new center that is specifically designed to serve children with autism and their families. Located at 1720 Bassett Drive, the center is staffed by autism health specialists who can provide diagnostic evaluations, evidence-based therapy, and family guidance and counseling. Caravel Autism Health is hosting a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event today.
Caravel Autism Health’s clinical psychologists are specially trained in evaluating children for autism and other conditions. Caravel Autism Health’s team also specializes in creating and leading individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (“ABA”) therapy plans that help children with autism develop skills, create connections, and gain confidence.
One in 59 children in the U.S. has autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Minnesota, one in 42 children has autism. As awareness grows, more families are seeking answers to their questions about autism and searching for outcomes-oriented therapy plans and programs.
Despite the prevalence of autism, there are significant provider shortages in many communities. Caravel Autism Health CEO Mike Miller says his team wants to help close that gap: “We are extending our reach by opening new centers so that our specialists can change children’s lives in more communities.” Founded in 2009, Caravel Autism Health now offers diagnostic and therapeutic services across five states.
“When we learned that local families had limited access to autism specialists and were encountering significant wait times for both diagnosis and therapy, we decided to establish a new center here in Mankato,” explained Jackie Vick, Vice President of Minnesota Clinical Operations for Caravel Autism Health. “Autism can be reliably diagnosed under two years of age,” said Vick, “and having early access to specialists is critical.”
“Data clearly indicate that the earlier we can begin intensive ABA therapy, the better positioned children are to make the greatest gains possible,” according to Dr. Shelby Wolf, a Clinical Psychologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who serves as Clinical Director for Caravel Autism Health in Mankato. “By expanding access to services for these young children, we can help them dramatically improve learning, communication, and social skills,” said Dr. Wolf.
Caravel Autism Health will host a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event for the new center this afternoon, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Families, teachers, social workers, pediatricians and others committed to helping children with autism are welcome to attend the event. To learn more, visit www.caravelautism.com or call the Client Intake Team at (507) 322-7752.
About Caravel Autism Health
Founded in 2009, Caravel Autism Health is devoted to helping families navigate the challenges of childhood autism. Caravel’s team of autism health experts specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and therapy of children on the autism spectrum. Caravel’s research-based programs help children with autism reshape their development and embrace new ways of interacting with the world.
