Autism therapy provider helps kids on the spectrum transition back to school

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. The transition back to school after a long summer vacation can be a stressful one, especially for students on the autism spectrum and their families.

An autism therapy provider in Santa Barbara is finding simple ways to support kids on the spectrum in their transition back to school.

It’s called 360 Behavioral Health, and it focuses on applied behavioral analysis. 

“It’s a form of therapy um where we focus on functional skills that really help improve our students’ functional living daily living um and that way they can just um navigate their world a little bit better and safer and interact with their families in much healthier ways,” said Gabriel Moreno, Director of Clinical Services at 360 Behavioral Health

Gabriel Moreno has been working in this field for 16 years and feels grateful that he can make an impact.

“It’s not just a paycheck. It’s more like seeing the change in the child and also the family’s relief when you like address a major issue for them or something they’ve been concerned with for a while,” said Gabriel.

According to the CDC, 1 in 26 children in California are diagnosed with autism.

One major hurdle these kids are dealing with is the transition back to school.

“Sometimes kids that we work with they won’t go to school. They won’t get in the car. That’s kinda the most extreme case,” said Nick Burkey, Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Nick Burkey gave tips on how to alleviate the anxiety these kids face about returning to school saying, “Validate those concerns… you know I understand. I would be nervous, too. I get nervous going to school. Accepting those feelings and then often times you know it takes small steps.”