In our latest episode of Coffee & Conversation, host DeVon Wilson sits down with Gabi Johnson, a passionate advocate for autism awareness and founder of Changing The Spectrum. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Gabi brings both professional expertise and personal experience to this insightful discussion about autism spectrum disorder.
A Personal Journey into Autism Advocacy
Gabi’s path to becoming an autism specialist began with family connections. Having a cousin with autism planted the initial seed of interest, while her experience as the child of a mother with quadriplegia instilled in her a deep desire to help others. Though she initially pursued radiology in college, a series of opportunities led her to discover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy—and she “fell in love with it” and “never looked back.”
Understanding the Autism Spectrum
One of the most valuable aspects of this conversation is Gabi’s explanation of what the “spectrum” in autism spectrum disorder really means. As she points out, autism can present differently in each individual:
“It is a spectrum… It can look like a person who is non-verbal who may not have many skills to show you, to a person who can have a conversation but they may be fixated on a specific topic and so their conversation may only be geared around that, but they’re very intelligent.”
This diversity in presentation is precisely why awareness and understanding are so crucial.
Signs to Look For
For parents, caregivers, or individuals who may be wondering about autism, Gabi outlines several common signs to be aware of, including:
- Limited eye contact
- Limited conversation or words
- Appearing disconnected or unresponsive to comments, conversations, or gestures
- Social withdrawal
She emphasizes that if you notice these patterns, reaching out to a physician for guidance is an important first step.
Changing The Spectrum’s Approach
Changing The Spectrum is committed to providing individualized care. Gabi describes their approach as “natural environment training,” explaining:
“I prefer to be a little bit more—I call it ‘loose therapy’… where I don’t have to have a child sit at a table for the entire session. We want to make it fun. We want to make these children and adults feel loved and cared for.”
This philosophy reflects a deeper understanding that autism therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, but rather should be tailored to each person’s unique needs and circumstances.
The Impact of ABA Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple aspects of development, including:
- Social skills
- Independent play
- Adaptive living skills (toilet training, eating independently)
- Communication skills
- Behavior management
Gabi notes that communication is often their primary focus because “if you can target communication, then some of those other maladaptive behaviors tend to decrease.“
Creating a More Inclusive Society
One important takeaway from this conversation is Gabi’s call for greater awareness and acceptance. She highlights how society’s lack of understanding can lead to judgment, particularly when witnessing behaviors like meltdowns, which may be triggered by seemingly minor stimuli that neurotypical individuals might not notice.
“It’s up to us to be able to help, not post judgment, not to make them feel any less of a person,” she emphasizes.
If you’d like to learn more about Changing The Spectrum call (318) 680-6422 or visit their website.
Coffee & Conversation is a production of the Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging, bringing you insightful discussions on topics that matter to our community.