The problem:
North Mississippi has limited ABA availability. Long waitlists delay critical early intervention. Families are left to manage complex behaviors without support, increasing stress, disrupting routines, and straining the home environment. These delays place a heavy burden on caregivers and reduce overall family well-being.
Action:
The Council funded a program through Autism Center of North MS to provide education, resources, and supportive case management to parents and/or caregivers of children with Autism on the waiting list for ABA services. In this program, an LCSW provides one-on-one training and guidance in managing the challenging behaviors, as well as case management support and referrals to other services in the community while waiting for ABA services.
Results:
As a result, parents of 103 children on the waiting list are being served. Families are being taught to manage emotional, cognitive, developmental, and behavioral challenges due to Autism. It has strengthened supportive home environments, fostered healthy relationships, and promoted meaningful skill development, reducing caregiver stress, improving overall family functioning, and equipping parents with practical tools they can use immediately while waiting on ABA services.
The Council supports programs that fill gaps not addressed by existing community services. In North MS, no program currently provides assistance to caregivers of individuals on ABA waiting lists.