SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:

BUDDING BEHAVIOR THERAPY

BY KENDRA ROGERS- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

At Budding Behavior Therapy, we provide clinic-based ABA services for children with autism. We are working to add OT and speech therapy services as well in our effort to serve families in and around Pontiac, MI where low socioeconomic families struggle to find appropriate services.

Mariah and her husband decided they wanted to open the facility in 2020 after their first two children had been diagnosed with autism. Mariah had a lot of experience as she worked in ABA therapy during her undergraduate years at Oakland University. She decided to change majors to study Psychology and earn her master’s degree to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). During this program, Mariah and her husband welcomed those first two children who were diagnosed with autism shortly after she earned her BCBA. Sadly, Mariah’s husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2021 before they could realize their dreams of serving the community around them. However, after working through some of her grief, Mariah realized their dream and opened the clinic after welcoming their third child who was also diagnosed with autism. Raising now three children with autism after losing her husband, Mariah still opened Budding Behavior Therapy center at the edge of Pontiac with the aim to serve the underserved community and families around her. Currently, the center serves 13 children and grows daily. As a facility owned by a mother raising children with autism, the focus is on ensuring careful care for the families who need it most.

Budding Behavior Therapy currently only has ABA services, but Mariah’s dream to offer additional needed services including speech therapy and OT along with other services the community around her identifies is quickly being realized.

Mariah recognizes that even if families aren’t receiving care from her facility, they still need an experienced and kind ear for advice. She says, “Any family can speak to me whether they are getting services or not. They can ask for advice about getting diagnoses, navigating insurance, and how to deal with schools and IEPs.”

Mariah also says, “Budding Behavior Therapy is young, and we are focused on building the clinic.” When she isn’t working hard with families who need services, she gets to spend time with her own kids. They love to take walks, ride bikes, and watch TikTok like any normal kid!

Reach out to Mariah at mharrison@ buddingbehavior.com or 248-622-5191 for services, support, and advice.