The Development
Greenville, South Carolina, welcomes a new therapy provider, The Buddy Center, founded by Dr. Kim Finger, PhD, with a mission to deliver personalized support for individuals, caregivers, and educators navigating autism spectrum disorder. The center began offering in-home, community, and day care services late last year, and is set to open its brick-and-mortar facility on Mills Avenue on April 1. The Buddy Center specializes in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children and teens diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, social delays, behavioral challenges, and other developmental disabilities.
Dr. Finger emphasizes a commitment to providing “clinically excellent services to everyone who needs them.” The center’s approach is highly individualized, creating tailored programs and delivering services in environments most clinically appropriate or preferred by families. Board Certified Behavior Analysts, referred to as “Buddies,” work with clients, known as “Learners,” to achieve a range of goals. These objectives include developing essential life skills, building confidence, fostering teamwork, enhancing safety awareness, promoting independence, and improving social interactions such as engaging in casual conversations, setting boundaries, managing emotions, and understanding social cues.
The overarching goal is to empower children to achieve maximum independence and live fulfilling lives. Dr. Finger highlights that reaching this potential often necessitates comprehensive support, which may include intensive therapy, job coaching, or specialized social skills training. A core tenet of The Buddy Center’s philosophy is its family-centered approach, actively engaging parents, caregivers, and siblings throughout the therapeutic process. Recognizing the busy schedules of parents, the center also makes caregiver support accessible, offering meaningful, actionable strategies even through brief 15-minute telehealth sessions.
Market Impact
Dr. Finger’s motivation for establishing The Buddy Center stems from observing significant gaps in the current landscape of autism services, particularly the increasing trend of agencies ceasing to serve older children and teens. She notes that her clinical background has always included working with individuals across the lifespan, including those with more challenging behaviors, making lifespan support a core value for her and the center. The center aims to provide what Dr. Finger describes as “old-school ABA,” focusing on the fundamentals of robust employee training, exceptional clinical care, and a holistic approach that integrates ABA with speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and mental health services.
A critical challenge highlighted by Dr. Finger is the lengthy waiting lists for autism diagnoses, which she finds “heartbreaking.” This issue is particularly pressing given the prevalence of autism, with a 2022 CDC report identifying one in 31 8-year-olds as having autism spectrum disorder across nearly two dozen locations. Dr. Finger advocates for immediate funding to support individuals currently living with ASD, emphasizing the need to provide quality care now so they can lead productive lives. She also underscores the importance of early intervention, noting that children who receive treatment before ages 3 or 4 often experience better outcomes and are more likely to “graduate” from therapy, contrasting this with the challenges of starting therapy at age 6 when brain development has progressed significantly.
What’s Next
The Buddy Center envisions itself as a comprehensive community resource, extending beyond direct client services. Future goals include establishing support groups for all parents, regardless of whether their children are clients, and expanding the pool of qualified ABA clinicians through training initiatives. The center also plans to increase access to Spanish-speaking therapists, assist families in navigating complex health insurance systems, and create mock classrooms to prepare children for successful school integration. Additionally, exploring innovative therapeutic modalities like pet therapy is on the horizon.
Looking further ahead, Dr. Finger is deeply concerned about the long-term housing needs for adults with developmental disabilities, referring to it as a “tsunami of autism.” She acknowledges the understandable anxiety parents face regarding their child’s future living arrangements, especially as they consider their own mortality. The Buddy Center is committed to guiding parents through the often-overwhelming process of finding support and resources, aiming to be the trusted first call for families seeking clinical excellence and comprehensive assistance throughout their journey.
Fast Facts
| Key Point | Why It Matters for ABA |
|---|---|
| New center opening April 1 in Greenville | Expands access to ABA services in the region, offering a new brick-and-mortar option. |
| Focus on lifespan support, including teens and adults | Addresses a critical gap in ABA services, as many providers limit care to younger children. |
| Family-centered approach with accessible caregiver support | Enhances treatment efficacy by empowering parents and integrating therapy into daily family life. |
| Integration of ABA with speech, OT, PT, and mental health | Promotes holistic care, recognizing the multifaceted needs of individuals with autism. |
| Founder Dr. Kim Finger’s background in business and clinical care | Combines operational efficiency with deep clinical understanding to deliver high-quality services. |
Expert Perspective
The Buddy Center’s commitment to lifespan support and integrated, family-centered care directly addresses critical unmet needs within the autism community.
Source: greenvilleonline.com
