By Brittany Wiley
BAPA Business Liaison
Mainsail Therapeutics, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) center for children with Autism, opened in 2020 at 1808 W. 103rd St., suite 200 Since then, they have expanded to include the space at 1810 W. 103rd St., and have added additional programs to serve the children and families of Beverly/Morgan Park and beyond.
Applied Behavior Analysis is a method of therapy that can help clients increase language and communication skills, and improve attention, focus, social skills, memory and academics. It can also decrease problem behaviors, according to Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy agency.
Mainsail Therapeutics Clinical Director Kelly Norris-Franks is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) currently working on her doctorate in ABA from Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She believes in a family-oriented and individualized approach to services, which is reflected in all of Mainsail’s programs.
For children ages 2 to 6 years, Mainsail offers full day or half day preschool as well as in-home learning for those who are not comfortable in a group setting. The children have one-on-one therapy in natural group settings and play, Norris-Franks said. The therapists build programs around the specific needs of the individuals in the groups.
For children in school, Mainsail offers Social Skills groups, one for children ages 5 to and another for teens; the groups meet twice per week. Mainsail also has clubs including Drama Club, Crochet Club and Improv Club. Homework help is provided in person and online for school-aged children.
Mainsail also offers support to the families of children attending any of their programs. One-on-one individualized parent training is available, as well as a parent support club that meets once a week. A parent yoga class has also been added to their list of programs.
Norris-Franks, with the help of BCBA Rachel Sullivan, Jennifer Sagrati MSW/LSW, and Speech Therapist Megan Norris, looks forward to the school year with all their new program offerings. For more information, visit mainsailtherapeutics.com, call 708-277-9189, or email info@mainsailtherapeutics.com.
