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Outpatient Clinical Services

The Chattanooga Autism Center provides outpatient psychological services to people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  These services include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, and diagnostic assessment and testing for autism. Some commonly asked questions are answered below. 

If you are interested in counseling services for yourself or for your children, please click this link and fill out our survey. We are looking at growing our clinic and adding license-eligible therapists to provide therapy to individuals who seek a neurodivergent-affirming counseling and helping our future therapists receive their clinical hours to complete license requirements. CLICK HERE for survey form. 

Counseling

Alyce Benson, LCSW, Karen Weigle, PhD, Amy Rutherford, LPC, S, and Jaime Butler provide therapy and mental health counseling for autistic children, teens, and adults. Our clinicians recognize how a world that is centered around neurotypical populations can sometimes contribute mental health issues in neurodivergent people, including anxiety, depression, social skill deficits, decreased motivation, difficulty transitioning, and relationship problems. We seek to help our clients improve self-advocacy skills as we help them improve their mental health and wellness.

 

Individuals seeking counseling should contact the CAC at 423-531-6961, opt 0 AND contact other places on this list of local therapy providers.

ABA Therapy

The Bridges ABA clinic at the Chattanooga Autism Center offers intensive, clinic-based therapy for children ages 2-8 with behavioral difficulties and/or developmental delays. Under the guidance of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), children receive individualized, play-based instruction that is geared towards kindergarten readiness. BCBAs collaborate closely with caregivers and Registered Behavior Technicians to help children improve communication, build pre-academic skills, engage in social interactions with peers, and gain independence, all the while reducing challenging behaviors at home and in the community. Click this link to review a list of questions you should ask ABA Providers before using their services.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

  • ABA is an evidence-based intervention that improves functional outcomes for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disorders.

  • ABA aims to decrease dangerous or harmful behaviors such as aggression and self-injury by increasing skills such as communication, peer interactions, and engagement in learning activities. 

  • ABA works directly with caregivers to set goals, integrate interventions into home and community settings, and measure progress with the aim of creating life-long change for children and families. 

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What does ABA at the CAC look like?

  • Lots of play! Play is the foundation of learning in young children.

  • 1:1 instruction time with therapists in and outside of individual classrooms

  • Frequent breaks in our sensory and calm down rooms to move and relax

  • Structured peer play where children practice social goals in a supportive setting

  • Group instruction via circle time where kids build kindergarten readiness skills such as engaging in group learning, sharing materials, and participating in collaborative projects

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Who would benefit from ABA at the Chattanooga Autism Center? 

  • Children exhibiting behavior problems that significantly impact family life

  • Children with language and other developmental delays

  • Children who need more support to achieve kindergarten readiness than is typically provided in a traditional preschool setting

 

Who can get ABA Therapy at the CAC?

Children ages 18-months-old to 8-years-old. 

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Individuals seeking ABA Therapy should contact the CAC at 423-531-6961, opt. 0 AND contact other places on this list of ABA  providers.

Insurance / Fees

The CAC is in network with several major insurance providers. Please call 423-531-6961, opt. 0 or opt. 1 or email info@chattanoogaautismcenter.org for details on insurance and self-pay options.

Our clinic's fax number is 423-521-8094. 

Clinic Staff

Alyce Benson, LCSW, MS, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 18 years experience working with adults, adolescents, and children with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health disorders.  She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Ms. Benson specializes in working with individuals who present complex behavioral, medical, and psychological issues, and has extensive experience working in numerous community-based settings and with numerous interdisciplinary teams. She has provided seminars at both national and international conferences for NADD and AAMR. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and National Association for the Dually Diagnosed.  In 2014 Ms. Benson was awarded Social Worker of the Year for the state of Tennessee.

Anna Straussberger, M.A., BCBA. Anna is a Licensed Behavior Analyst with 15 years of experience working with autistic children and adolescents, and their families. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Georgia and then went on to work in school, residential, and community settings using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She continued her education at the Boston University School of Medicine, where she received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2016 at which point she helped develop the ABA clinic at the Chattanooga Autism Center. Her passion is providing client-centered, naturalistic ABA to young children and their families with the aim of joining these children on their journey to becoming independent, confident, and happy adults.

Karen Weigle, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 20 years of experience working with people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. She received her masters and doctorate from West Virginia University and completed Residency at Michigan State University. Dr. Weigle has extensive experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team in several medical specialty clinics and wards. She has provided psychological assessment and intervention services in a variety of contexts including in-home, school-based, clinic-based, agency-based, hospital-based, and community crisis response. She has previously directed programs that provided services spanning East Tennessee and had oversight over a large number of service providers. For over a decade, Dr. Weigle has trained family practice and medical specialty residents, special educators, community-based services providers, families, early intervention specialists, and laypersons. Her teaching experience varies from undergraduate psychology courses to special education graduate-level seminars. Dr. Weigle was the Clinical Director at The TEAM Centers from 2008 to 2011. She now provides autism assessments and behavior therapy at the Chattanooga Autism Center. Dr. Weigle is also currently associate director for the Centers for START Services at UNH, a national program designed to develop local crisis prevention and intervention services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health concerns.

Intake Forms

Please only access these forms if you have a scheduled appointment.

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Notice of Privacy Practices

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Forms for new AUTISM ASSESSMENT or COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT) clients:

 

Clinical Welcome Packet (Policies and other information): Download and keep for your records.

 

Assessment and Therapy Initial Intake Form: Complete and bring to intake session.

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Patient Information form: Complete and bring to intake session.

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Directions to Complete Forms:

  1. Download each set of forms to your computer.

  2. Open "File Explorer" and open your forms using Adobe Reader.

  3. Choose the "fill-in" option and choose that you are completing the form.

  4. Create a text box by clicking on a blank line.

  5. Save the document by "save as" and renaming the document to include your last name or initials.

  6. Return the documents by either: bringing them to your first appointment, faxing them to (423) 521-8094, or emailing to Michelle@chattanoogaautismcenter.org.

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Job Opportunities

Click here for a list of current career opportunities at the Chattanooga Autism Center.

Autism Assessments (waitlist full)

Autism assessments are provided by Karen Weigle, PhD. Dr. Weigle uses the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2) and other diagnostic tools. The ADOS-2 is a standardized observational assessment of an individual’s communication, socialization, and play/creativity along with other behaviors characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The ADOS-2 has many different modules depending on the client’s verbal ability and age and is appropriate for ages 12 months up to any adult age. The results of the assessment are provided to the client in a detailed report.  

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What does an autism assessment look like?

The assessment usually takes place over four visits. The first visit is an intake session where the caregiver/s and/or individual being assessed answer questions, complete informational forms, and are established as a client. The client is then scheduled for two assessment sessions on different days to allow for a broader sample of the client’s behavior. Each assessment session usually lasts between 40 and 50 minutes. The psychologist then scores the assessment and writes a detailed clinical diagnostic report. The parents and/or client attend a final follow-up session where the psychologist delivers the report, explains it in detail, answers questions, and discusses relevant referrals and future plans. 

 

Do I need an assessment before getting other types of services?

No! Individuals can seek and receive treatment while they are on the waitlist to be assessed. For example, if a child is demonstrating delays in speech or social skills or is experiencing sensory issues, anxiety, or behavior problems, parents should seek specialized therapeutic treatment immediately. Therapists such as counselors, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and ABA therapists will provide their own specialized evaluations and begin treatment. You DO NOT have to wait until after an autism assessment to seek therapy. The main purpose of the ADOS-2 assessment is to provide a diagnosis as well as a detailed professional report, but is not a prerequisite for services in most cases.


Individuals seeking an autism assessment should contact the CAC at 423-531-6961, opt 0 AND contact other places on this list of local evaluation providers.

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