HOXIE, Ark. — Lawrence County’s first applied behavior analysis (ABA) clinic, Outcomes ABA Clinic, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, attended by the Hoxie mayor and members of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.
The clinic focuses on providing specialized support to children with developmental disabilities, including autism, to help them navigate challenges such as communication and stressful real-world situations. Services include preparing children for scenarios such as doctor’s visits, haircuts, and waiting in line at restaurants.
Founder Holly Ellis, along with three Registered Behavioral Technicians, is currently working with two children at the clinic and plans to begin serving four additional children next week. The clinic’s method involves guiding children through behavior stations to help them transition from emotionally driven reactions to more constructive ones.
“We work on teaching them an alternative behavior, a replacement for that,” Ellis explained. “So instead of crying, we can teach them to just tell me what it is they want, and they can have it probably.”
Ellis emphasized her plans to implement programs where children can practice tolerating everyday stressors, such as haircuts or medical appointments. “Those can be really scary times for kids,” Ellis said. “And so, I can’t wait to run programs for the kids where we can practice tolerating getting our hair cut or even cutting our little baby doll’s hair. It’s going to be so fun.”
The facility is designed with children’s sensory needs in mind. It includes a library, a gym outfitted with a crash pad, and a sensory room where children can retreat to calm down and regulate their emotions when feeling overstimulated.
As the school year approaches, Ellis says the clinic aims to help children develop independence and enable them to engage with their peers more comfortably.
The opening of the Outcomes ABA Clinic marks a first for Lawrence County, providing a crucial new resource for families seeking to support their children’s development in a safe, structured environment.