At Glenwood’s Behavioral Therapy Center, children of all abilities find their voices, whether they have an autism diagnosis or not. Through individualized speech and behavioral therapy, each child learns to communicate, connect, and grow with confidence.
For some, like nine-year-old Xander, that means learning to express feelings and words that were once out of reach. For others, like three-year-old Beau, it means discovering the joy of being understood.
When Xander arrives at Glenwood’s Behavioral Therapy Center for speech therapy, he confidently makes his way down the hall to the therapy room with no reminders or guidance needed. It was not always like this. Just a few months ago, Xander, who has an autism diagnosis, was mostly nonverbal and often frustrated by the barriers he faced when trying to express himself. Today, he greets his therapist with a smile, ready to engage. He even surprises his mom with new words and skills after each session.
“His entire behavior has changed,” said his mother, Jeanna. “He used to lash out when he couldn’t communicate, but that has become rare since starting therapy. He smiles and laughs more. He speaks with his voice more than he did before.”
Stories like Xander’s are why families across Birmingham turn to Glenwood’s Behavioral Therapy Center. The center offers assessments, therapy, education, and support for children and teens up to 19 years old, meeting kids where they are, whether or not autism is part of their journey.
“Ms. Effie is incredible, and Xander works so well with her,” Jeanna said. “She constantly provides me with resources and even connected us with Libby’s Friends, a nonprofit that helps families with the financial challenges of special needs care, to get him a device. It’s been life changing.”
Families like Xander’s have seen life-changing progress, and that same dedication to meeting each child’s needs extends to families like Beau’s.
Unlike many of Glenwood’s clients, Beau does not have an autism diagnosis. His family chose the Behavioral Therapy Center for speech therapy after a school evaluation this summer.
“I called several providers in Birmingham, but their response times were discouraging,” said his mother, Rachel. “Then I found Glenwood. Within a week, they contacted me and scheduled an appointment. Their responsiveness and customer service were excellent, and I immediately felt we were in the right place.”
From the very first session, Rachel knew she had made the right choice. “I cried because I could already see improvements,” she said. “In just a couple of months, Beau has gone from frequent meltdowns and frustration to finishing his words with excitement. He is starting to communicate without the same struggles, and we celebrate each little victory, sometimes with cookies.”
For Beau, therapy is filled with laughter, games, and plenty of encouragement. “He loves playing games with Ms. Effie,” Rachel said. “She always knows when he needs to move around or take a break. She mixes play with learning, so he never gets bored or overwhelmed.” Most importantly, Beau is growing more confident and is excited about going to school.
At Glenwood, no two therapy journeys look the same. Each is shaped around the child’s strengths and goals. Xander’s sessions often include practicing words, imitating sounds, and using assistive communication programs such as LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning). But just like Beau, therapy also includes joy, such as choosing a favorite activity during break time or celebrating the discovery that he can read.
Though Xander and Beau are at different stages, their stories highlight the same truth. Glenwood’s Behavioral Therapy Center is a place where children and families find hope. Here, progress does not just happen in the therapy room. It shows up in the classroom, at the dinner table, and in the smiles of kids who are learning to be heard.
“If another parent were considering speech therapy at the Behavioral Therapy Center, I would tell them to do it,” Jeanna said. “Your child will gain confidence and find their voice. Trust me.”
At Glenwood, every child’s voice matters, and every breakthrough, big or small, is worth celebrating.