The Owen Academy

11/27/2025

🍁🧡 Happy Thanksgiving from The Owen Academy! 🧡🍁

Today, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude.

We are thankful for our incredible families who trust us to walk alongside their children every single day. Thank you for allowing us to be part of their growth, their milestones, their victories, big and small.

We are thankful for our dedicated team of RBTs, BCBAs, and staff who show up with passion, patience, and purpose. Your commitment creates a safe, joyful, child-led environment where learning is meaningful and play is powerful.

We are thankful for our community partners who believe in inclusive opportunities and support the mission and values of The Owen Academy.

Most of all, we are thankful for our amazing kiddos- each one fearfully and wonderfully made. Your smiles, your progress, your determination, and your unique personalities are the reason we do what we do.

From our family at The Owen Academy to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
May your day be filled with joy, connection, and moments that remind you of what truly matters. 🧡

11/26/2025

Thanksgiving: ABA Tips for Home

🦃 Prepare for Changes
• Talk about Thanksgiving in advance: explain who will be there, what food will be served, and what activities will happen.
• Use a visual schedule or social story to show the day's events.
• Preview new foods with small taste tests at home.

🦃 Manage Mealtime
• Offer choices: let your child pick between 2-3 food options.
• Use visual cues for turn-taking and sitting at the table.
• Reinforce trying new foods with praise or a small reward.

🦃 Support Communication
• Encourage your child to request help, food, or breaks using their preferred communication method (words, PECS, gestures, or AAC).
• Practice simple social phrases in advance: "Thank you," "Please," "Excuse me."

🦃 Plan for Breaks & Sensory Needs
• Identify a quiet space for breaks if the environment becomes overwhelming.
• Bring comfort items or sensory tools (noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys).
• Keep activities short and predictable.

🦃 Encourage Positive Behavior
• Reinforce polite greetings, sharing, and participation with specific praise.
• Use a token system or visual reinforcement if helpful.
• Remember: patience and consistency go a long way!

🦃 Celebrate Achievements
• Take photos or make a small journal entry for your child about their successes.
• Highlight small wins: trying a new food, greeting relatives, or waiting patiently.

🦃 Reminder: Every child is different. Focus on what works best for your child and celebrate progress—big or small!

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Owen Academy!

11/20/2025

Today at the Women in Entrepreneurship Leadership Conference hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University and First United Bank, our founder, Brina Dutton, was honored with the 2025 Southeastern Alumni Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

This recognition reflects the heart behind everything we do at The Owen Academy and The Owen Foundation — creating inclusive opportunities, supporting families, and enriching the lives of children on the autism spectrum throughout Texoma.

We are incredibly proud of Brina’s leadership, her unwavering advocacy, and her vision to build organizations that place children and families first. Her work continues to inspire our team and strengthen our mission every day.

Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved achievement! 💛✨

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

11/17/2025

🌈 Hip-Hip Hooray! It’s your first day! 🌈 Welcome to TOA, G! We are so glad you’re here! 🌈

******* In compliance with the BACB and The Owen Academy’s Code of Ethics, as well as our internal policies and procedures, we ensure that written parental/guardian permission and informed consent are obtained and documented for any client photos, videos, or media shared on our social media platforms. All media shared by The Owen Academy is the exclusive property of our organization. Unauthorized saving, recording, or use of this media is strictly prohibited, actively monitored, and may result in legal consequences.

11/17/2025

✂️💙 We are thrilled to be a partner in hosting this event! See original post for details. 💙✂️

Ferguson Barber Co is partnering with Kiamichi Tech - Durant, The Owen Academy, The Owen Foundation, Mighty Moms Podcast, and the Sensory Safe Solution to host a free class for stylists, barbers, and students.

This Sensory Safe Certification class will be held on Monday, January 12, from 10-12. It’s completely free to attend, and you can register with the QR code or link below.

If you or someone you know is in the industry and wants to learn how to better serve clients with sensory needs, this is a great opportunity. This class will give the tools and knowledge to be a safe space for all clients Let us know if you have any questions.

https://form.jotform.com/253005524127144

11/12/2025

🌈 Two peers engaged in a shared activity using large LEGOs and successfully collaborated to build a tower. This interaction supported important skills such as turn-taking, joint attention, and purposeful communication, all within a structured and supportive environment. 🌈

🌈 We are proud of their progress and the positive social interactions taking place each day! 🌈

*******In compliance with the BACB and The Owen Academy’s Code of Ethics, as well as our internal policies and procedures, we ensure that written parental/guardian permission and informed consent are obtained and documented for any client photos, videos, or media shared on our social media platforms. All media shared by The Owen Academy is the exclusive property of our organization. Unauthorized saving, recording, or use of this media is strictly prohibited, actively monitored, and may result in legal consequences.

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Another year of enjoying our Veteran’s Day Parade in downtown Durant. We love our community and proudly honor our veterans. 🇺🇸

******* In compliance with the BACB and The Owen Academy’s Code of Ethics, as well as our internal policies and procedures, we ensure that written parental/guardian permission and informed consent are obtained and documented for any client photos, videos, or media shared on our social media platforms. All media shared by The Owen Academy is the exclusive property of our organization. Unauthorized saving, recording, or use of this media is strictly prohibited, actively monitored, and may result in legal consequences.

11/07/2025

💙🎄

11/06/2025

🎉 Happiest of Birthdays to Mariana, one of our amazing RBTs who came in on her day off so we could celebrate her! We hope you have the best day, Nana! 🎉

11/05/2025

🎉 HAPPY-HAPPY Birthday to one of our best and brightest, Deanna! You are an incredible human and we are thankful to have you at The Owen Academy! 🎉