Bloom & Thrive ABA

02/23/2026

What happens when you get the call? 📞

We know starting ABA can feel overwhelming. Here is our simple process:

Meet & Greet: We chat with you (no pressure).

Assessment: We play with your child to see what they love and what they need help with.

The Plan: We build a custom roadmap together.

We promise to hold your hand every step of the way.

02/20/2026

We take our work seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously! 🤪

Sometimes the bubbles spill. Sometimes we trip over beanbags. Sometimes we get glitter everywhere.

Laughter is a huge part of our culture at Bloom and Thrive. Thanks for laughing with us this week!

02/19/2026

Did you know? The Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department is incredible. 🚒

Many rural stations offer "sensory visits" where your child can see the truck and meet a firefighter without the sirens blaring. This helps reduce fear in case of a real emergency.

We highly recommend stopping by to say hello!

02/18/2026

Living in the country is beautiful, but for families with "runners" (elopers), the woods and ponds can be scary.

Safety is our #1 priority.

1. Work with us to teach "Wait" and "Come here" using fun games, not fear.
2. Consider wearable GPS devices.
3. Alert your local first responders (more on that tomorrow!).

02/17/2026

Hiring Call: "We aren't just looking for BCBAs. We are looking for Assent-Advocates."

Do you believe that a learner has the right to say "no"? Do you believe in prioritizing safety over compliance?

If you answered yes, you belong at Bloom and Thrive. We are building a team of ethical, compassionate providers.

DM us to schedule a chat.

02/16/2026

The "Autism Parent" burnout is real. And in a rural area, it can feel even heavier when you feel isolated.

If you are feeling the weight of it today, please remember: You are the expert on your child, but you don't have to be the therapist 24/7. It is okay to just be "Mom" or "Dad" today.

Take 5 minutes on the porch. Breathe the fresh air. You are doing a great job.

02/13/2026

The best thing we heard this week:

We had a learner who has been hesitant to enter the clinic for weeks. Today, they walked right in, grabbed a toy, and looked at their RBT with a huge smile.

It wasn't a "program" or a "target." It was trust. And that means everything to us. Happy Friday! ❤️

02/12/2026

Local Gem Alert: Town Centre Park. 🍂

We love recommending this spot for a regulation walk. The path is flat (great for strollers/wagons) and it’s usually quiet on weekday mornings. Nature is the ultimate sensory regulator.

Have you taken your sensory seekers here yet?

02/11/2026

Does your child repeat lines from movies or TV shows? That’s called Echolalia (or Gestalt Language Processing).

It’s not "mindless" repetition. It’s communication!

If a child says "To infinity and beyond!" they might mean "I’m ready to go!" or "I’m excited!" We listen to the emotion behind the script, not just the words. We speak your child's language. 🚀

02/10/2026

POV: You’re a BCBA at Bloom and Thrive on your lunch break. 🌲

No horns honking. No concrete jungle. Just fresh air and a chance to reset.

We believe that to be a great therapist, you have to be a regulated human first. Our rural setting offers a peace you just can't find in the city.

Come work where you can breathe.

https://www.bloomandthriveaba.com/behavior-technician-career-opportunities

02/10/2026

To our Bloom & Thrive community in Kilmarnock and the Northern Neck:
We love seeing the incredible progress our clients make every single day. We know how vital medically necessary ABA therapy is for the families we serve.
Unfortunately, access to this care is currently under threat in the Virginia legislature.
As lawmakers finalize the state budget, there are proposals that could severely restrict ABA services and place arbitrary "caps" on therapy hours for children relying on Medicaid and insurance. These caps often do not account for the unique, individual needs of the child.
We need your help to ensure lawmakers understand the real-world impact of these cuts.
Please join the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis (VABA) and clinicians across the state in a "Call to Action."
📣 HOW TO HELP:
Click the link below to access the Advocacy Action Center. You can send a pre-written message to your lawmakers and the Governor in just a few clicks.
If you have an extra minute, add a personal sentence about why these services matter to your family.

https://conta.cc/4kiyBqG

Thank you for advocating for the services our children deserve.

As Virginia lawmakers finalize the state budget, proposed language could severely restrict ABA services and cap hours for children in need. We encourage you to contact your lawmakers by clicking here https://conta.cc/4kiyBqG Together, we can ensure that every child has access to the care they deserve.

02/06/2026

The weekend is almost here, but we are ready to play! 🧸
Our clinic space is designed to look less like a hospital and more like the best playroom ever. Why? Because children learn best when they are comfortable and having fun.

Have a restful weekend, Bloom & Thrive family!