A Mother and Daughter's Journey

Kris Krajewski: Hi, I am Kris Krajewski. I am the director of PT, OT and Speech Therapy Services at MetroEHS. I am a clinical fellow mentor, a speech language pathologist, and a mom. And this is my daughter McKenna. McKenna is a therapy assistant at our Rochester Hills location.

Mckenna Krajewski: So as therapy assistant, they clean, do desk work and sanitize, take temperatures, taking care of clients, make sure they're safe and healthy, help them with their work and special needs. It makes me feel amazing and happy to be there for them. I am very, very proud.

Kris Krajewski: I got teary listening to McKenna talk about it because what, what is most important to me for children or anybody of any age, but in particular my child, is that they are happy. A large part of that happiness comes from feeling connected and having a purpose, um, and knowing that you have somewhere to go where you're valued and you're important. And so I see that happening at Metro with McKenna, with her job as a professional. I'm really proud of MetroEHS for thinking about people at, you know, both ends of that age spectrum, right? We have our little littles coming in at a very young age, and we are still interested in what happens to our kiddos when they get out into the world of work. Um, and to me that's a really important message.

A Family's Journey with a Special Need Diagnosis is a beautiful journey! Listen from some more of our MetroEHS Family's stories > HERE

A Collaborative, Child-Centered Approach

At MetroEHS, therapists from various disciplines—speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA)—collaborate to address the diverse needs of each child. This team-based approach ensures that therapy is cohesive and comprehensive, promoting optimal outcomes.

Dr. Vira Francis, a speech-language pathologist at the West Bloomfield location, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration:

“When we’re using a collaborative and holistic approach with children, it’s like each team member is a puzzle piece. We really make that impact when we all come together to make the big picture, and it really helps to prioritize the child’s needs.”

Services Offered

MetroEHS provides a wide array of pediatric therapy services, including:

• Speech Therapy: Addressing communication challenges, articulation, language development, and literacy skills.
• Occupational Therapy: Focusing on daily living skills such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, play, social participation, and school readiness.
• Physical Therapy: Enhancing gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and strength to support functional movement and participation in activities.
• ABA Therapy: Utilizing evidence-based strategies to improve socially significant behaviors in children with autism and other developmental disorders.

Each therapy session is designed to be engaging and child-led, incorporating play-based methods to make therapy enjoyable and effective.

Creating a Stimulating Environment

The West Bloomfield center is intentionally designed to be colorful and kid-friendly, providing a stimulating environment that encourages active participation. Therapists tailor activities to each child’s interests and sensory needs, ensuring that therapy sessions are both fun and beneficial.

Empowering Families

MetroEHS is committed to not only supporting children but also empowering parents and caregivers. By providing education and resources, they enable families to reinforce therapy goals at home and advocate effectively for their children’s needs.

If you've searched online for information about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), you've probably seen conflicting opinions.

Some families describe ABA as life-changing. Others have questions after reading recent news stories or social media discussions about the field.

At MetroEHS, we believe parents deserve clear, honest information.

What Is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children develop skills that improve their daily lives.

Depending on a child's needs, ABA may focus on:

• Communication
• Social interaction
• Play skills
• Safety awareness
• Emotional regulation
• Independence
• Daily living skills

The goal of ABA is not to change who a child is.

The goal is to help children gain skills that allow them to communicate, participate in their communities, and live as independently as possible.

Why Has ABA Received Negative Press?

Recent media coverage has raised concerns about billing practices and quality issues within parts of the industry.

Like any healthcare field, there have been instances where providers failed to meet professional standards.

However, these stories often fail to distinguish between unethical providers and the thousands of clinicians who deliver ethical, evidence-based care every day.

Families should know that poor practice is not the same thing as ABA itself.

What Does High-Quality ABA Look Like?

High-quality ABA is:

💥 Individualized

Every child receives goals based on their unique strengths, needs, interests, and family priorities.

💥 Data-Driven

Clinicians continuously measure progress and adjust treatment plans based on results.

💥 Family-Centered

Parents are active members of the treatment team.

💥 Play-Based

Modern ABA often incorporates games, preferred activities, peer interactions, and natural learning opportunities.

💥 Focused on Meaningful Outcomes and Success!

Success isn't measured by how many hours a child receives.

Success is measured by improvements in communication, safety, independence, social participation, and quality of life.

A discharge plan should always be discussed in any therapeutic service. ABA shouldn’t be a life-sentence for anyone. Make sure that you have a discharge plan in place from the moment you begin therapy.

Is ABA Regulated?

Yes.

ABA is one of the most highly regulated autism services available. Treatment plans require clinical oversight, supervision by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), ongoing documentation, ethical standards, and regular review processes.

Quality providers continuously evaluate progress and reduce or discontinue services when goals have been achieved.

What Should Parents Look For?

When evaluating an ABA provider, ask:

• How are goals selected?
• How is progress measured?
• How often does the BCBA supervise treatment?
• How are parents involved?
• How does the provider collaborate with other therapists?

The best providers welcome these conversations.

Why MetroEHS Believes in Integrated Care

💥 Children do not develop skills in isolation.

💥 Communication affects behavior.

💥 Sensory processing affects communication.

💥 Motor skills affect participation.

That is why MetroEHS brings together ABA, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy under one collaborative, clinically integrated, model.

When therapists utilize clinical integration, children benefit from coordinated goals, shared expertise, and a more complete understanding of their needs.

The Bottom Line

Parents should absolutely ask questions about ABA.

They should expect ethical care, measurable outcomes, and meaningful progress.

But families should also know that ABA remains one of the most extensively researched and evidence-based interventions available for many children with autism when delivered appropriately.

The conversation should not be whether ABA is good or bad.

The conversation should be: What does high-quality ABA look like, and how do we ensure every family has access to it?

At MetroEHS, we believe children deserve individualized, compassionate, evidence-based care that celebrates who they are while helping them build the skills they need to thrive.

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