The first autism clinic in Daviess County is opening its doors for a community "open house" on Wednesday

This will give parents a chance to learn more about what it offers children living with autism. This facility is a big step forward for families in Daviess County and is the first of its kind in the area.

Total Care ABA Therapy is based in Washington, IN. Working with kids on the autism spectrum, Total Care works to increase social, emotional, language, and self-care skills.

"My favorite part is seeing the progress that all these kiddos make," Clinical Director Nicole Marstall said. "We really work to get them ready to go to the next setting."

Total Care has only been open for nine months and hopes to increase the number of kids they care for after the open house. They are able to perform autism screenings and diagnoses, greatly reducing delays in diagnosis.

They told me facilities in larger cities can have waitlists for a diagnosis of up to almost two months.

"Here at Total Care, we are very fortunate to have a doctor on site so that we can help families and kids get the support they need right away," applied behavior analyst Kaitlyn Lunsford said. "Early intervention is so important because the sooner we can start helping kids build skills, the better the long-term outcomes will be."

It's that immediate, hands-on support that Total Care hopes will make all the difference. Especially as families prepare for the shift and struggles that summer can bring. Total Care says it's about growing a space where both kids and staff can thrive together.

"As they go into the summer months, they may not be getting those usual supports," Marstall said. "They would usually get that from school or other resources."

"The staff has built so much since starting here," lead registered behavior technician Emma Rickenbaugh said. "Just seeing everyone's skills build and getting more comfortable around the clients is really great."

If you think this may be the right fit for your family, you're invited to an open house Wednesday evening at 5:30 P.M.

Total Care ABA Therapy is located at 209 W Oak St, Washington, IN 47501.

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Source: WTHI-TV