On August 13, the latest addition to the Florida State University Early Childhood Autism Program (FSU ECAP) was established. The Camille Butchikas ECAP Clinic was named in honor of the generous donations from George A. Butchikas Foundation for Autism.
The state-of-the-art Camille Butchikas ECAP Clinic will be used by FSU ECAP to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with autism and other related disorders. Previously an "in-home only" program, FSU ECAP will now be able to further meet the needs of children in the program by giving parents the option to have therapy provided in the home, in the clinic, or across both locations. The clinic will provide a quiet, enriched environment for therapy, as well as a technologically-advanced location for training of therapists and conducting innovative autism research.
The partnership between George A. Butchikas Foundation for Autism, the FSU Panama City ABA master's program, and FSU ECAP began in 2001 soon after the programs were first established. Since that time, hundreds of children in Bay County and their families have benefited from programs services made possible through contributions which now total $330,000 from the George A. Butchikas Foundation for Autism. The foundation also made a $15,000 contribution to assist in furnishing and equipping the new clinic.
Not many people know that ECAP is here in Bay County. Even fewer know how hard the program's directors and therapists work toward helping children overcome autism. Most importantly, these individuals do this all in an effort to really make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by autism... and when those differences are made, they pay offs are greater than explanation allows. That is why ECAP works so hard at what they do, and why this program is a hidden jewel in Bay County.
For more information about ECAP or if a child needs assistance, please contact:
Amy S. Polick, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Faculty, Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Programs
Director, FSU Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP)
Florida State University, Panama City
4750 Collegiate Drive
Panama City, Florida 32405-1099
Phone: 850.770.2252
e-Mail: apolick@pc.fsu.edu
Or call Kassi at: 850.770.2241
Or visit their website at: http://ecap.pc.fsu.edu/