Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. With an increasing number of children diagnosed with autism, the demand for effective, multidisciplinary care has never been greater. For Ashley Whitaker, a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), the decision to focus on autism therapy was more than a career change—it was a calling. After eight years of working in Indiana’s public schools as an SLP, Whitaker recognized that helping children diagnosed with autism could make the most significant impact in her career.
“Speech is one of the first symptoms people recognize in individuals with autism,” Whitaker explained to Autism Business News. This insight led her to discover the vital role that speech therapy plays in the lives of children with autism, prompting her to dive deeper into the field of autism care. Her journey would eventually lead her to Lighthouse Autism Center, where she became one of the few professionals to hold dual certification in both speech-language pathology and behavior analysis.
Lighthouse Autism Center’s Fusion Therapy for Autism: A New Approach to Autism Care
Lighthouse Autism Center, based in Mishawaka, Indiana, has emerged as a leading provider of innovative autism therapy, offering a unique model known as Fusion Therapy for Autism. This model integrates speech-language pathology with applied behavior analysis (ABA), creating a holistic approach to treating children diagnosed with autism. The goal of Fusion Therapy for Autism is not only to provide more comprehensive care but also to accelerate the therapy process by addressing both communication and behavioral needs in tandem.
At the heart of this model is Ashley Whitaker, who joined Lighthouse after being mentored by Janine Shapiro, a fellow SLP who became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Under Shapiro’s guidance, Whitaker gained a deeper understanding of how combining SLP and ABA could improve the efficacy of autism therapy. Today, Whitaker is one of only four dual-certified clinicians at Lighthouse, where she applies her expertise in both fields to create a more impactful therapeutic experience for the children she serves.
While Shapiro eventually left Lighthouse, Whitaker’s role has grown, and she has become a key advocate for the power of Fusion Therapy for Autism. Her experience at Lighthouse underscores the potential benefits of integrating these two fields of expertise. Maggie Gendel, a spokesperson for Lighthouse, explains that the Fusion Therapy for Autism model has allowed the center to differentiate itself from other providers, both in terms of patient care and recruitment.
“It is definitely a differentiator from a recruiting perspective,” Gendel explained, adding that Lighthouse allows its clinicians to pursue dual certification during working hours, offering a significant career advantage. This approach has helped Lighthouse attract top talent in both speech-language pathology and behavior analysis, a rare combination in the field of autism care.
The Dual-Certification Advantage: A Comprehensive Approach to Autism Therapy
The dual-certification model at Lighthouse Autism Center has garnered attention for its ability to address the communication and behavioral challenges commonly associated with autism. Many providers agree that combining speech therapy with ABA can be highly beneficial for children on the autism spectrum, particularly because communication and socialization difficulties are hallmarks of the disorder.
“The complements that speech-language pathology provides to ABA are high because some of the hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder are deficits or differences in communication and socialization repertoires,” explained Adam Hahs, Chief Science Officer at Hopebridge, an autism therapy provider in Indianapolis.
Children with autism often struggle with verbal and non-verbal communication, social cues, and forming relationships. By integrating speech therapy with ABA techniques, therapists can work simultaneously on a child’s communication skills and behavior management. This integrated approach helps children make progress in both areas at the same time, offering a more holistic solution to their needs.
For example, Lighthouse offers co-treatment sessions in which a dual-certified clinician, like Whitaker, can provide therapy from both an SLP and behavior analysis perspective. These sessions involve working with the child on speech, language, and vocabulary goals while simultaneously addressing any behavioral issues through ABA techniques. Whitaker notes that the two therapies naturally overlap, making it easier to incorporate both into a single session without feeling like she is switching between roles.
“I often don’t know when I’m wearing my speech-language pathology hat versus when I’m wearing my behavior analysis hat,” Whitaker said, highlighting the seamless integration of the two practices.
Challenges in Implementing Fusion Therapy for Autism Across the Industry
Despite the growing recognition of the benefits of combining ABA and speech therapy, the Fusion Therapy for Autism model is still considered a minority approach in the autism care industry. Many providers continue to focus exclusively on one form of therapy, often due to financial and logistical challenges.
Krista Boe, Chief Clinical Officer at Acorn Health, is one such provider who has chosen to specialize in ABA. “We made the decision early to focus on what we know well, ABA only, and haven’t altered much,” Boe explained. This decision reflects a common belief in the autism therapy community that providers should focus on their core expertise rather than try to integrate multiple services under one roof.
One of the key challenges that limits the adoption of Fusion Therapy for Autism is the issue of reimbursement. In many cases, private insurance and Medicaid programs have distinct billing codes for speech therapy and ABA, and they do not allow providers to bill for both services when they are delivered together during the same session. As a result, organizations like Acorn Health are hesitant to embrace the dual-certification model, as it does not provide a clear financial incentive.
“Speech therapy and ABA are very distinct services with different billing codes, billing descriptions, reimbursements, and coding rules,” said Ashley Marshall, an SLP at Hopebridge. This complexity makes it difficult for providers to justify the additional costs of maintaining dual-certified staff and offering integrated services.
At Lighthouse, however, the Fusion Therapy for Autism model is seen as a long-term investment. While clinicians like Whitaker are not reimbursed for the speech therapy portion of their sessions, the company believes that the benefits—both in terms of improved patient outcomes and clinician development—will pay off in the future. “We understand that this is not always capable of being done at all companies,” Whitaker acknowledged.
The Path to Dual Certification: A Rigorous Journey
The journey to becoming dual-certified in both speech-language pathology and behavior analysis is not an easy one. The two fields have distinct educational requirements, and obtaining certification in both areas requires years of study and fieldwork.
For speech-language pathologists, the process typically involves earning a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, completing hundreds of hours of clinical practice, and passing a national exam. In contrast, behavior analysts must earn a master’s degree in behavior analysis, complete a set number of hours of fieldwork, and pass an exam. The requirements for both fields are rigorous, and the process of becoming certified in each can take years.
For those like Whitaker, who already have a background in speech-language pathology, the path to becoming a behavior analyst can be particularly challenging. However, many organizations, including Lighthouse, support their staff by allowing them to count work hours toward the fieldwork requirements for behavior analysis certification. This support helps make the process more manageable, particularly for those who are already working in the field.
“I would definitely agree that it is easier to start with your speech degree and then go back to school to become a behavior analyst,” Whitaker said, reflecting on her own journey.
The Future of Autism Therapy: A Holistic Approach
While the dual-certification model remains rare, the potential for integrating speech therapy with ABA is clear. Providers like Lighthouse Autism Center are demonstrating that Fusion Therapy for Autism can lead to better outcomes for children with autism. This approach not only helps address the core challenges of communication and behavior simultaneously but also creates a more rewarding career path for clinicians.
However, the financial challenges of reimbursement remain a significant barrier to widespread adoption. Until insurance and Medicaid policies evolve to accommodate integrated therapy models, many providers may hesitate to pursue a dual-certification approach. Despite these challenges, the success of Fusion Therapy for Autism at Lighthouse suggests that a more integrated, multidisciplinary approach to autism therapy could be the future of the field.
The work being done at Lighthouse is a testament to the potential of combining SLP and ABA, and as more clinicians pursue dual certification, we may see the emergence of a new standard in autism care—one that offers a more comprehensive and effective treatment model for children on the autism spectrum.
The Takeaway
Lighthouse Autism Center’s Fusion Therapy for Autism model represents a promising future for autism care, offering a more integrated, multidisciplinary approach to addressing both communication and behavioral challenges in children with autism. While the financial and logistical barriers to adoption remain significant, the benefits of Fusion Therapy for Autism are clear. As more providers recognize the advantages of combining speech-language pathology and applied behavior analysis, we may be witnessing the beginning of a transformative shift in autism therapy that puts the needs of children first.
