My son began services with AEFCT when he was around 18 months old, attending three days a week for two hours each time. He stayed with the program until he graduated at age 7, and during those years they played a huge role in our family’s journey.

As any parent of a child on the autism spectrum knows, everyday situations can come with unique challenges. The team at AEFCT helped guide us through those moments, whether it was helping my son learn new skills, work through difficult behaviors, or achieve goals I once wasn’t sure were possible.

One of the things that meant the most to us was the consistency of his care team. His BCBA and BTs stayed with him throughout his time in the program, which helped build trust and comfort for him. Seeing familiar faces each week made a big difference in his progress and his willingness to engage.

They were also incredibly supportive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many families, we suddenly had to adapt to telehealth services. The AEFCT team worked hard to make that transition smooth and continued providing meaningful support during a very uncertain time.

As an active-duty Navy family with long and unpredictable hours, their flexibility and understanding also meant a lot. They worked with our schedule and always tried to make things as easy as possible for our family.

What I appreciate most is that AEFCT didn’t just help my son, they helped me as a parent. They taught us strategies and approaches that I still use today to help him navigate life and challenges.

While I certainly hope we won’t need ABA services again in the future, if the time ever comes, AEFCT will absolutely be my first call.