Autism Seminar
Presentations
In October 2021, Essential Speech and ABA Therapy hosted our first Autism Seminar. This seminar was open and free to any and all parents/caregivers of children on the Autism Spectrum. Our talented department Directors presented lectures on various topics including "What is Autism?", "Transitioning to the School Environment" as well as Speech and Occupational Therapy. We hope to continue these seminars annually and to continue to be an active member of the Houston, Texas Autism community.
What is Autism? What is ABA Therapy?
Our first presentation was by the ABA Director of our Missouri City location, Claudio Rodriguez. Claudio has spent the last 20 years working with children on the Autism Spectrum of varying ages and a wide variety of challenges.
Readiness Skills and Transition to the School Environment
Our next presenter was Jasmine Mitchell. Jasmine is a BCBA as well as being the ABA Director of both Pearland locations and our Katy location. Jasmine has helped to build the ABA program at Texas Speech and ABA Therapy.
Transition to Public School
Our final ABA presenter is Amanda McCartney. Amanda is the BCBA at our Pearland location. She has been in the field since 2005 and spent 11 years working for Clear Creek ISD as District Special Education Support Staff.



Speech-Language Pathology
Krystina Perez, our Speech Therapy Director, has been an SLP for 6 years. She has worked in the Speech-Language department at 2 Texas hospitals with a focus in pediatrics

Occupational Therapy
Taylor Harder, our Occupational Therapy Director, has worked with children in various settings for the last 8 years with the last 2 years focused as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.

His Story, My Story
Dr. Avis Smith is a Mental Health Professional who's son is a former client of Texas Speech and ABA Therapy. She is speaking on a parent's perspective of having a child diagnosed with Autism and the challenges and successes that go along with it.
