A message of compassion welcomes visitors to Great Expectations, 4950 Broadway.
GARY When families first walk into Great Expectations, they are greeted by an eye-catching graphic.
“If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart,” the sign reads.
For families who have children on the autism spectrum, finding appropriate education and care can be a challenge. For families in Gary, options within city limits are limited. However, they will soon have another option in Great Expectations, an applied behavior analysis center for children with autism, set to officially open June 24.
Applied behavior analysis centers offer structured learning, life skills, one-on-one therapies and more for families seeking specialized education for their children with autism. Great Expectations is set to provide programming for ages 3 to 12, but staffers will help families with children of all ages seek out resources elsewhere.
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Leaders hope to expand programming.
“We are here for everyone, from the first diagnosis to when they graduate high school,” Director Marilyn Shanks said. “They don’t have to feel alone.”
Great Expectations
A classroom inside of Great Expectations, where children with autism can focus on honing social, behavior and life skills.
The center, 4950 Broadway, has multiple classrooms, a conference room, a recreational gym room and a sensory room; the latter is designed to provide comfort and calm to children with sensory-processing challenges. Students will have the opportunity to work daily with a registered behavior technician who helps with behavior regulation and social skills.
Shanks said she was inspired to start Great Expectations because she has a nephew with autism and noticed how many of his behaviors go unmonitored because of a lack of available resources. But she had a boss whose two autistic children were enrolled in programs where they received specialized attention, and she noticed positive changes in their behavior.
That got her wondering how her nephew’s behavior might have changed if he had access to more resources from a young age like they did.
“So I decided to push for more resources here,” she said.
Shanks has had numerous parents expressing frustrations in finding the proper programs for their children, let alone programs in which they can immediately begin.
“I have parents calling me, saying they’ve been on program waitlists for two to three, even four to five years,” Shanks said.
She hopes families who have been waiting to enroll their children in programs will explore options through Great Expectations.
Great Expectations
Great Expectations staff Vice President Keyna Rodgers, behavior analyst Miken Brouwer and Director Marilyn Shanks discuss the center’s officia
Shanks, Vice President Keyna Rodgers and board-certified behavior analyst Miken Brouwer are looking to add more specialists to their team.
“We really need good people to provide these services, to provide kids with a voice,” Brouwer said. “I absolutely love what I do and love to work with families to find a holistic approach to treatment.”
GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
Bishop Robert J. McClory places his hands on Robert Ross during the rite of ordination Saturday at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary. Ross was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Gary.
Steve Euvino, The Times
Newly ordained Deacons Zachary Glick (left) and Steven Caraher assist Catholic Bishop Robert J. McClory at the altar Saturday during the ordination Mass at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary.
Steve Euvino, The Times
Lake Centrals Griffin Tobias (1) pitches against Valparaiso in the fourth inning during the 4A Regional Championship at LaPorte High School on Saturday.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Lake Central players including Matt Santana and Griffin Tobias (1) celebrates their 3-0 win over Valparaiso for the 4A Regional Championship at LaPorte High School on Saturday.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Lake Centrals Drew Kosteba (11) gets back to first base with Valparaisos Trevor Fenters (5) covering in the sixth inning during the 4A Regional Championship at LaPorte High School Saturday.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Lake Central players celebrate their 3-0 4A Regional Championship win over Valparaiso during at LaPorte High School on Saturday.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Lake Centrals Hunter Snyder (4) fields a ground ball to short for the second out of the seventh inning against Valparaiso during the 4A Regional Championship at LaPorte High School Saturday.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Ayanna Wash is the first black valedictorian at commencement exercises at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond. The Whiting resident will study biology at Marian University in Indianapolis.
Hanna Abuzead (left) assists classmate Adriana Puente before commencement exercises Thursday at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond. They were among 104 graduates at Nolls 100th graduation ceremony.
Steve Euvino, The Times
Graduating senior Maria Emilia Quiroga embraces her mother, Maria, after presenting a rose to her at commencement exercises Thursday at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond.
Steve Euvino, The Times
Henry Bailey (left), 4, watches as his brother Finn, 2, selects a duck Friday from the Crown Point Community Library booth at the Crossroads corn roast at Bulldog Park in Crown Point.
Steve Euvino, The Times
Airren Nylin (left) and John Fitzgerald prepare dragobabs, or spiced pork on a stick, at the Crossroads Reg corn roast Friday at Bulldog Park in Crown Point
Steve Euvino, The Times