About Threshold Center for Behavior Consultants
Our vision
Threshold, Inc. is a Florida nonprofit organization.
Our mission is to help parents answer the question, "What will happen to my autistic child when I die?"
Our vision is to provide information and education as parents become the center of quality control for their child's life. We work to maintain the connection between parents and their other children.
Matthew, 7:7/8. "...Knock and the door will be opened to you." We will provide understanding, education, and hope to all who wish to cross our Threshold.
Our team
Our team is composed of highly qualified multidisciplinary consultants with extensive experience in the autism spectrum. That includes the delivery of services. Each team member is dedicated to helping families reach their full potential. We are the consultant's consultant.
Guiding Philosophy
Threshold on Applied Behavior Therapy:
Suppose you are working with someone with challenging behaviors, and you do not use the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA); you will not get very far.
If you only use ABA, you will not get far enough.
A combined services team (OT, PT, speech, nursing, medicine, and nutrition) using the science of ABA offers the best possible outcome.
At Threshold Center Consultants, we use a collaborative approach to consulting. We work closely with families to understand your needs and develop solutions tailored to your challenges. Our approach is open, results-driven, and designed to help your family define success and achieve your goals.
Our Medical Approach
Threshold pioneered a PANDAS Approach.
PANDAS is our acronym for Physician and Nutrition Directed Autism Services. Autism is a medical diagnosis. Then, it becomes a school label. When they become sick, it's again a medical issue. After school graduation, It is once again a medical issue. Poor nutrition and acute illnesses must be addressed quickly. These issues are reflected in your child's behavior. Medication errors were a significant issue before we implemented PANDAS. We reduced errors to zero per month. Hospitals do not have the skills to manage these short-term acute patients. Autism is a lifelong medical condition that is reflected behaviorally. Our PANDAS Acute Care Training program prepares clinical teams to manage or de-escalate crises before resorting to chemical controls.
Psychotropic Medications and Behavior
Our Thoughts on Psychotropic Medications:
For many years, Threshold did not rely on psychotropic medications to manage the behavior of our residents. We still advocate appropriate ABA therapy as the primary treatment for these clients. Psychotropic medications have their place in the treatment regimen. We believe that it is not the first place. When Susan was admitted to Threshold, she averaged 5,000 head blows a day. Through the use of positive reinforcement, we reduced that number to zero. Susan has not returned to that behavior in almost 50 years. In her case, this was attention-seeking and a learned behavior. Medications should not be the "go-to" approach unless indicated for something other than behavior. Medications do not teach alternate and acceptable behaviors. At best, they mask and prevent the effective application of ABA. We recommend ABA without psychotropics. Unless there is a life-safety concern, allow well-trained therapists the opportunity to succeed drug-free. Psychotropics may indeed be the key; they are not the door to behavioral success.