Easterseals Awarded Highmark Delaware BluePrints for the Community Grant

New Castle – Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore announced that it has received a grant from Highmark Delaware BluePrints for the Community to offer children under the age of three with autism Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy.

“This grant from Highmark Delaware will make a huge impact in the lives of some of our smallest participants with autism and their families,” Easterseals President/CEO, Kenan Sklenar, says. “Research shows that the greatest gains in developmental milestones for children with autism are seen through ABA therapy when intervention is started before the age of 2 and this grant helps make that possible. We are grateful for the partnership with Highmark Delaware and especially pleased to receive the BluePrints for the Community grant. Partners like Highmark Delaware help Easterseals continue to offer exceptional services that our community relies on.”

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy programs help increase language and communication skills; improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics by focusing on teaching new skills. Family education and support is also a critical component when working with very young children. Studies show, when ABA therapy starts before the age of two, the therapy is even more successful.

“We are pleased to award Easterseals with a BluePrints for the Community grant and to support their extensive work with children and families living with autism,” said Nick Moriello, President of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware in a statement. “Easterseals has an outstanding history of providing care for our community and Highmark Delaware is proud to partner with them on this program.”