Autism center has plenty of potential

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THE NEW BUILDING towers just across the lot from the former location beside busy State Route 3. Outside, the world rushes by and visitors are welcomed by the roar from the never-ending surge of cars. Inside, all is calm. Upon entering, the place seems deserted--until an adamant cry of refusal crawls out from under a nearby office door.

"You can do it," a firm, barely audible, friendly voice replies, ignoring the unruly behavior. "Do this!"

Since 2001, Reaching Potentials has been a haven for autistic children in the Fredericksburg/Stafford County area. Using scientifically proven behavioral teaching techniques, the staff at Reaching Potentials (RP) strives to maintain a comforting, quiet, one-on-one learning atmosphere that enables children with autism and related disorders to form important connections that other children develop naturally.

"Our treatment approach is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which is widely recognized as the most effective, science-based treatment available for young children with autism," said Pamela Gorski, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and executive director at Reaching Potentials.

Now Reaching Potentials is expanding its impact window. The new office has 3200 square feet of space (as opposed to the 1,000 square feet in the older building), tripling the center's capacity to provide therapy for delayed children.

"We expect to triple our staff, just as we've tripled our faculty, to meet the increased demand," explained Gorski.

Every one in 150 children now has autism, according to an Associated Press report earlier this year. Every 20 minutes a new diagnosis is made*-- despite the narrowing of diagnostic criteria over the past few years^.

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