Honoring Autism Awareness Day: Celebrating the Heart of Our Work at Missing Links
April 2nd, 2025
Written by: Am Badwall
Today, on World Autism Awareness Day, we pause to celebrate and reflect on the work we do every single day at Missing Links. This day holds deep meaning for us—not only as professionals in the field of Autism—but as advocates for dignity, inclusion, and meaningful progress.
At Missing Links, we are truly committed to the work we do. Through our Progressive ABA model, our programs are shaped by compassion, guided by science, and driven by one simple but powerful belief: every individual deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and live a meaningful life.
Why This Work Matters
Autism Awareness Day reminds the world of the importance of understanding, accepting, and celebrating neurodiversity. However, at Missing Links, this isn’t simply a once-a-year message, it is embedded in every session, every program, and every relationship we build.
Our work matters because:
We create pathways to independence where challenges may have existed before.
We empower families who have felt overwhelmed and unseen.
We support learners of all ages—from toddlers to adults—as they gain confidence, skills, and voice.
We challenge outdated models that focus on compliance instead of connection.
We teach our clients to be who they are, not just who others expect them to be.
Progressive ABA: The Heart of Our Practice
At the center of our approach is Progressive ABA—an advanced, compassionate, and functional approach to Applied Behavior Analysis. Progressive ABA is not about changing the person with Autism—it’s about building upon their strengths, honoring their voice, and teaching skills that matter within their life.
Our model includes teaching:
Functional Academics and Foundational Skills: Teaching real-life and cognitive skills that support independence, learning, and personal growth.
Functional Communication: Giving learners real, meaningful ways to express themselves.
Emotional Regulation: Helping learners navigate the world with confidence and calm.
Executive Functioning: Teaching planning, decision-making, and adaptability.
The Hidden Curriculum: Uncovering and teaching the unspoken rules of social interaction.
Functional Living/Functional Learning: Equipping adult learners with practical skills for daily life.
Compassion over Compliance: Replacing rigid demands with trust, autonomy, and collaboration.
Our Clients: The Center of our work
The learners and families we work with are truly at the core of what we do:
They are bright, resilient, funny, curious, strong, and creative.
They teach us to slow down, pay attention, and honor the learner for who they are.
They remind us that progress doesn’t always fit into a perfect checklist, but rather it an look like a smile, a breakthrough, a “first,” or even a brave “try again.”
To our clients: you are the reason we do this.
To the families: we walk beside you with pride and purpose.
To our team: your dedication, insight, and commitment to learning make our center a site for continued growth and excellence.
Our Commitment to the Field
On this day, we also want to highlight our commitment to the advancement of ABA.
We believe that:
ABA must grow alongside the individuals it serves and stay current with education and learning models.
Ethics, empathy, and inclusion are non-negotiable.
Progressive ABA is necessary—and we’re proud to be leading the way.
Through clinical excellence, creative programming, professional training and consultation, Missing Links is not only supporting individuals with Autism, but we are also contributing to the growth and direction of Autism intervention.
Looking Forward, With Purpose
As we look ahead, Missing Links continues to commit to be a place where:
Every person with Autism is celebrated for who they are.
Every learner is given the tools to succeed in their own way.
Every family is supported with compassion and respect.
At Missing Links, we’re proud to do this work—not just today, but every day.
We believe in the potential of every individual, the power of connection, and the importance of always growing, learning, and evolving.
On Autism Awareness Day and beyond, we remain committed—to our learners, our families, and to building a more compassionate, inclusive future
Want to learn more about how Missing Links is advancing the future of Autism support through Progressive ABA? Contact us today or visit our website to explore how we can walk this journey with you.