Autism Support Services

Speech and Language

A Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) can evaluate, diagnose, and provide intervention for a variety of communication disorders. A diagnosis of Autism indicates that there is a deficit in social communication and social interaction, which are areas that can be helped with intervention from an SLP. 

Occupational Therapy

A child's life is made up occupations, or everyday activities. These occupations include playing, learning, sleeping, and resting, interacting with friends, getting dressed and other daily activities. Occupational therapy (OT) supports children by incorporating the occupations that are important to you and your child into the intervention process. Many children with Autism benefit from this therapy.

Strive Center for Autism has partnered with Leigh Harter Speech Services to provide Speech and Occupational Therapy in both our Brighton and Burton locations. These services are available to a wide variety of children; a diagnosis of Autism is not required, nor is enrollment in ABA services. For children enrolled in ABA services, Strive staff can provide a form to complete in order to begin the process of receiving individual speech and/or occupational therapy services. Group speech services are provided to all children enrolled in ABA services.

For children who are not enrolled in ABA services at Strive Center, please contact Leigh Harter Speech Services for more information at www.leighharterspeech.com or call (713)-542-8833.

Collaboration Makes the Difference

The partnership between Strive Center and Leigh Harter Speech Services (LHSS) allows our children to benefit more from their speech and OT services. LHSS provides a dedicated Speech and Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist who visit both Strive Center locations twice per week. These trained professionals provide individual speech or OT services for children integrated right into their already scheduled ABA sessions. Strive Center's Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) are able to observe and participate in the individual speech and/or OT sessions. This helps children make the most of their session, with support for any challenging behavior if needed, and teaches our RBTs the best ways to help children with communication all week long.

How to Begin

If you are enrolling or are already enrolled in ABA services, simply complete the one page form in the intake packet from LHSS to begin the process (or request a new copy from Strive Center staff.)

Once LHSS receives that form, these are the next steps:

  • LHSS will process the form and verify insurance coverage
  • LHSS will reach out to parents via email to confirm a start date
  • The SLP or OT will begin with an evaluation completed during your child’s regularly scheduled therapy at Strive (no need to drive anywhere else, stay late, or come early)
  • The SLP or OT will begin treating your child as soon as the evaluation is complete, during regularly scheduled therapy at Strive
  • The SLP or OT will send information home for parents, and is available to meet with parents at the center to help parents learn how to help their children generalize skills and make more progress
  • The SLP or OT teaches Strive staff daily the best ways to generalize skills from the speech or OT session