Easterseals Midwest Opens New Autism Therapy Clinic in Joplin

Joplin, MO.– Easterseals Midwest has opened a new Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic in Joplin, expanding access to autism therapy for children ages 2 to 6 and their families in Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas.

The new clinic aims to help address gaps in access to autism services for young children in the region, where long waitlists can leave some children without the support they need before Kindergarten. It is Easterseals Midwest's seventh ABA clinic, joining locations in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Cape Girardeau and Columbia.

ABA is a personalized, one-on-one, play-based coaching. It helps children with autism improve communication, build social skills, develop routines, and reduce behaviors that may interfere with everyday activities. Easterseals Midwest's on-site therapists identify each child's motivations to encourage positive change. The clinic also offers training for parents, a critical part of its mission to care for the whole child.

"The opening of this new clinic responds to a real need in the Joplin area," said Tracy Taylor, Autism Director for Joplin and Southeast Kansas, Easterseals Midwest. "We wanted to expand our services to help address the gap caused by waiting lists and offer a broader continuum of care, giving more families access to specialized services close to home."

To celebrate the new clinic, representatives from Easterseals Midwest and the Joplin Chamber of Commerce marked the opening of the location with a ribbon cutting Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The Joplin clinic reflects Easterseals Midwest's growth across Missouri and Kansas and its goal of serving people with disabilities in their own communities. Families in Southwest Missouri and particularly Southeast Kansas now have access to Easterseals Midwest ABA services that were not easily available to them before.

"When people with disabilities participate fully in community life, the whole community is stronger for it," said Jeanne Marshall, CEO of Easterseals Midwest. "Opening this new clinic in Joplin is part of our commitment to that philosophy. Families shouldn't have to travel hours to get the care their children need."

Located at 3115 Arizona Ave. in Joplin, the clinic is accepting referrals now. Services can begin as soon as mid-November, depending on insurance. Easterseals Midwest accepts Medicaid.

To contact the clinic directly, please call 417-781-3616. For more information about Easterseals Midwest's services, please visit midwest.easterseals.com.