Shown from left are Dr. Ted Bender, executive vice president of ABA Centers of America, Elizabeth McKenna, special assistant for Policy and Projects for U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and David Curran, executive director of ABA Centers of America. The organization celebrated the official opening of its new facility at 542 Amherst St. on May 2. Courtesy photo/ABA Centers of America

NASHUA – The ABA Centers of America recently unveiled its new 15,500 square-foot autism care center at 542 Amherst St.

“We need better ways to get access for children, we need better ways to treat children and we need better access to care as a whole in this country,” said Dr. Ted Bender, executive vice president of ABA Centers of America during the ribbon cutting on May 2. “ABA Centers of America has revolutionized the way that autism assessment is done and the speed with which it can be done.”

The new location offers ample space for individualized autism therapy services. This includes teaching children about things such as bedtime routines and how to cook. While these tasks may appear mundane, they can quickly snowball into colossal challenges for children with autism.

The ABA Centers of America currently serve more than 100 of Nashua’s children as well as 400 children in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

“Your efforts to provide education, advocacy and innovative care has brought hope to so many families and has broadened the community’s acceptance of people with autism,” said Elizabeth McKenna, special assistant for Policy and Projects for U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “Today’s event is a great opportunity to celebrate the strides we have made in understanding autism and shaping an environment where every person with autism can achieve his or her full potential.”

Staff members are able to provide applied behavior analysis therapy services through an approach that uses play and positive reinforcement.

Since the organization was founded four years ago, ABA Centers of America has strived to reduce the wait times that families typically face to receive services. These waiting periods can range from months to even years. However, the organization has been able to cut wait times to approximately 47 days.