Texas Lawmakers Tour ABC's Mueller Center to See ABA Therapy Firsthand

Action Behavior Centers (ABC), a leading provider of evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is taking an active role in state and federal advocacy efforts to protect and expand access to autism services across Texas. 

This summer, ABC’s Family Advocacy team welcomed legislative staff to its Mueller ABA Center in Austin, working alongside policymakers to support equitable funding and keep ABA therapy available without disruption.

Texas Legislative Staff Tours ABC's Mueller Center

In June, ABC welcomed staff from the Texas Legislature to its Mueller ABA Center in Austin, Texas, one of more than 200 ABA therapy centers across the state. Casey Floren, budget analyst for the House Appropriations Committee, Nicole Childress, budget analyst for Senate Finance, and Madelyn Franks, policy advisor to the Speaker of the House, toured the center and met with ABC's Austin leadership team. The conversation covered the long-term benefits of early, evidence-based ABA therapy, along with the gaps families who rely on Medicaid face and the value of early intervention. 

Evidence consistently shows that early behavioral intervention leads to improved educational and social outcomes while lowering long-term healthcare costs for the state.¹ “The families we support are resilient, but they can’t bear the weight of policy instability,” said Bryan Davey, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Vice President of Public Policy & Advocacy at Action Behavior Centers. “When funding is cut, care becomes harder to reach for many families. Our goal is to make sure legislators understand that early intervention doesn’t just improve quality of life; it saves taxpayer dollars long-term.” 

The Action Institute for Outcomes Research (AIoR), ABC’s research arm led by Executive Director Dr. Linda LeBlanc, evaluates treatment outcomes and shares results with families, clinicians, and the scientific community, feeding results into continuous quality improvement in daily practice across its 450+ ABA centers. In a white paper posted in 2021, the AIoR followed 20 children ages 2–6 who received ABA therapy at ABC for at least one year and found an 86% decrease in unsafe or challenging behaviors, with most progress happening during the first year of therapy.²

U.S. Senator Charles Schwertner, M.D., Staffers Visits Mueller Center

In August, ABC hosted staff from the office of U.S. Senator Charles Schwertner, M.D., at its Mueller Center in Austin, Texas. Cassidy Smith and George Moore, senior policy analysts for Senator Schwertner, met with ABC's regional leaders to discuss access to ABA therapy for Texas families. 

The conversation focused on how early intervention helps autistic children build independence and supports long-term well-being, including school readiness. In a study of 193 families conducted by the AIoR, they found clear differences in school placement between children who completed therapy and those who exited early. 71% of children who completed therapy spent most or all of their time in general education settings, whereas 58% of children who exited services prematurely spent most or all of their time in special education or alternative placements.³

A Commitment to Families and The Future of Autism Care

Through coordinated advocacy efforts, Action Behavior Centers’ Family Advocacy team continues to champion policies that help protect children’s access to autism therapy, support families who depend on Medicaid, and strengthen the ABA provider network.

“Our mission has always extended beyond the walls of our centers,” said Dr. Davey. “The ABC Family Advocacy team is here to make sure that every child, regardless of their ZIP code or insurance type, can access the life-changing care they deserve.”