“When you conceive of something, you can only imagine what it will look like. The reality of what the team has done is even better than the image I had in my mind.” – Laura McKee, CEO, AHSS
Last Saturday, April 30th, was our AHSS Autism Center’s Grand Opening & Open House in Arlington Heights, and we had a fantastic turnout! Families new and known came from all over to visit, tour, and learn more.
And Laura McKee wasn’t the only one taken aback by what’s been built. Shana Lehar, center manager and BCBA specialist, shared: “When I returned from maternity leave I was astounded by the changes to the AHSS Autism center! It was so much bigger than it had been with sections for our younger clients and our older clients. It has exceeded expectations!!!”
If you weren’t able to make it to see for yourself, Family Support Manager Rich Maston sums the day up beautifully: “It was great to welcome parents, physicians, and AHSS staff into the new AHSS Center during the open house – but nothing compares to watching little feet and hands running around and exploring a new environment that was designed especially for them! It’s always a good sign to see children clinging to their AHSS Care Team Members after their parents say ‘It’s time to go home.’ The best therapy is when the kiddos don’t want it to end.”
McKee also noted how rewarding it was to see a family we serve in home drive more than 40 minutes because they want to do more work with us in the center: “What a commitment to their child’s future!”
That commitment to these children’s futures and wanting to do MORE is exactly what AHSS is all about. Empowering progress toward hopes and dreams means empowering families to do what’s best for them and their child’s care, whether that’s in-home or center-based therapy.
So what’s next? McKee shares, “I am so excited that the AHSS Autism Center in Northbrook is now open with availability for more kids in that area. We will have speech and counseling services available soon to provide families with even more support. We look forward to continuing to expand services and locations!”
We’re just getting started, and you can too!
Discover what AHSS can do for you and your family!
by Jessy McCulloch, Events & Social Media Marketing Coordinator
