The FAC Story
Florida Autism Center
Start here. Go anywhere.
KRISTY ROHWEDDER – Chief Executive Officer
FAC was originally launched as Florida Autism Center. We expanded from 5 centers to 33 centers in the state of Florida alone. In an effort to reach even more communities, we expanded our footprint over state lines and became known as Fusion Autism Center in the state of Georgia.
Collectively we have 40 centers in operation.
ERICA NOLAN – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Autism is a developmental disability in which children are reliably diagnosed around 18 months old, and they typically show deficits within the areas of social interaction, communication, and they also have limited, or restricted interest. Within Autism the key is really finding early diagnosis as well as early intervention.
“The day that he was diagnosed, the pediatrician recommended ABA Therapy.”
ABA stands for “Applied Behavior Analysis.” It is a field in which we observe and measure behavior.
BRANDON FREEMAN – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
ABA is about the “why.” Why is this behavior occurring? Once we find out “why”, “what” can we do to change it.
AMY & JUSTIN – FAC Family
Being diagnosed early is a good thing because then you can get the help your child will need. Get the help that will help them succeed and be a better person in life.
They offer collaboration with the parents. We are able to, not only take the scope they learn in the center, but also work on those in the community, and the families can see the progress of those kids.
SHELLY STRICKLAND – Lead Intake Coordinator
The biggest value of the Florida Autism Center is that we make the process easy for families, from start to finish. Insurance is very difficult, so our enrollment process we have Intake Specialists, who specialize in insurance, verifying the coverage and letting families know all the details. It is one less step they have to figure out on their own.
BRANDON FREEMAN – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
We don’t say I don’t know. We say, let me look at literature, let me get a plan a procedure and get back to you, because that is what we are supposed to do. We are problem solvers. This is not just a job. It can’t be just a job.
Dr. MELISSA KING – Chief Clinical Officer
Every day I come to work knowing that I’m impacting all of those families, and hopefully bringing more staff on board that want to become a behavior analyst, and help those families.
MARY – FAC Family
I was comfortable from the second I walked through the door, because you are walking-in as a new mom with these two kids and like to think you know what you are doing… and you don’t half of the time.
It was just friendly, nice and comfortable, even with the hectic days I am sure they have with all the kiddos. They were just so calm, and I think that reassured me to trust them, and it just took off from there.
AMY & JUSTIN – FAC Family
It was just amazing to see that while they are working with him on behavior they are also working with him on helping him to read, helping him to communicate, to learn how to play with others.
KRISTY ROHWEDDER – Chief Executive Officer
“I love to hear our clients say that their child is thriving with FAC.”
ANTHONIA ONALAJA – Registered Behavior Technician
“The best thing I’ve heard from the parents, are them coming back and saying how things have changed, and I am so happy that I brought my kiddo to FAC, and I’m so happy you guys are working so hard with my kid.”
Dr. MELISSA KING – Chief Clinical Officer
I think the parents want their children to be accepted, and they want their kids to be the best that they can be.
MARY – FAC Family
They are young and they have a long road, but I think the center has just put us in the right track. There is no way I would have had the knowledge without them.
AMY & JUSTIN – FAC Family
People with autism want to be loved and respected, just like everybody else, and they should be… because they are amazing.
