Beaverton, OR: New ABA centers opening; 300% increase in ASD due to better diagnosing
- The end of childhood
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Sept 17, 2025, Forest Grove, OR, Valley Times: Beaverton’s Kadiant autism center offers caring atmosphere, spacious surroundings for those on the spectrum
Washington County parents looking for a space for their children with autism spectrum disorder now have a new place to find help. Kadiant autism center in Beaverton recently opened its doors in a 10,000-square-foot facility at 8585 S.W. Cascade Ave.
Founded in 2020 in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, the center has a mission of providing compassionate help using applied behavior analysis, or ABA, an evidence-based and scientifically grounded approach to understanding and modifying human behavior.
The center caters to infants from 10 months old to 18 years olds in a space double the size of its previous location in the Cedar Hills area.
Smaller teacher-to-student ratio
The Beaverton location is the largest Kadiant facility in the nation, containing four large classrooms, other specialized rooms and long open hallways, according to Kacy Cross, Beaverton Kadiant center coordinator.
“We get everyone together in groups, and they learn with one instructor — rather than two to three — and it helps the kids get ready,” Cross said during a recent tour. “Each of our individual rooms have toys and games, and it’s catered to different kids.”
Classrooms range from a teen room, complete with an air hockey table and a giant flat-screen television, to a sensory room where kids can go to calm down and focus on quiet time. That room includes calming vibrating pillows to hug and a “crash pad” where kids can come “launch themselves” onto a foam-rubber covered beanbag.
Another room is geared toward middle school students and includes futon couches and beanbag chairs.
Increased reports of autism tied to two factors
Cross said students visit the center at different times and for different reasons.
“Sometimes they’ll come after school. Some kiddos will defer school and do preschool here. Some kiddos will start and do early preschool in the morning and then come here for five hours or four hours. (It’s) whatever works into their family’s schedule,” she said.
According to a John Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health article, reasons for a 300% increase in autism over the last 20 years are attributed to two main factors: more people meeting a broadened definition of the autism spectrum disorder and increased screening that identifies children on the spectrum at an earlier age.
Pint-sized porcelain potties prominently present
In addition to the new Beaverton location, Kadiant also provides individual, in-home therapy in the Portland, Hillsboro and Salem areas. . . .
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