Kind Hands ABA Therapy is a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization
We are building the Best ABA Program in the Country
In-School and In-Home Services October 2026
Kind hands is set to open its doors in October 2026. we are excited to offer In-School, and In-Home Services for Children on the Spectrum. In-School Services will be provided at your child's school where he/she will receive ABA Services from both: a Registered Behavior Technician and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Our In-School Services are there to assist your child with the best possible outcomes in a school setting. Our In-Home Services recognize the privacy and confidentially of your private home. Our therapist will treat your home and family with dignity and respect as they work with your child on living skills, social skills, and functional programs designed specifically for your child.
We Accept Most Major Insurance Companies like:
Well-point
Medicaid
TennCare
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
etc..
We've always accepted Private Pay Families as well and currently.
Upcoming Events
Kind Hands ABA Therapy is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization located in Middle Tennessee. Join us for Our Fundraiser, to help Build the Dream. Contact Lisa Mattson for Details on how to help or how to donate.
Poker Run At Bumpus Harley Davidson of Murfreesboro Fundraiser: to Benefit Kind Hands ABA Therapy
July 11, 2026
Lisa Mattson 618-593-1702
Event begins at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time.
2026 Kind Hands Winter Gala
The 2026 Winter Gala to benefit, "The Dream," is what we've all been waiting for. We are seeking headliners and a main attraction as well as a venue for this fantastic event. We have our sights on a couple of people/groups but welcome any support from the community or the family. We are stilling seeking headliners for our Gala.
Fundraiser to Benefit
Kind Hands ABA Therapy
When: Winter 2026 TBA
Location: (Nashville TN.) TBA
Lisa Mattson 618-593-1702
Discussing Autism Hosted by Dr. Paris H. Spencer
Discussing Autism
In this Podcast we will discuss: very interesting topics (therapy, aging out, vaccinations, innovation, technology, raising autistic children, growing up autistic, success stories, and more) interview extraordinary guest (educators, researchers, scientist, parents, individuals on the spectrum, clinicians, experts, etc.), provide incredible resources (what's out there for parents, community resources, advancements, etc.) and knowledge (expert opinions, helpful tips and expertise from parents, educators and their value, practitioners, experts, etc.) We are building the dream, technology and innovation will be a big part of what we do. As mentioned above, our guest will include professionals and experts from Education, Industry Professionals, Parents, Citizens, Donors, Researchers, and an array of other interesting people. And of course, all this is hosted by Dr. Paris H. Spencer, President of Kind Hands ABA Therapy
The boy they say that couldn't
Nadie's Story
Nadie is a magnificent little boy that we have come to know and love. He knows what he wants and he usually gets it. Is he a Savant, sure seems like it, but he hasn't told us yet. Anyways, Nadie had a tough young life that basically, counted him out, and he had the behaviors to-boot. Many tried and many failed.
Kind Hands ABA Therapy
About Us
Our Services
Our Services
We have experienced what most ABA Clinics offer, and we are pleased that children have access to ABA Therapy Services. What makes us differences is our people and our vision. We are an agency that CAN, we know what is needed to promote growth and development for our children and we are not afraid to break trends to do it. Our purpose, philosophy, and, vision are to enhance ABA Services by providing customized and unique activities aimed at exceeding traditional standards and expectations. We want to break away from the rigor and introduce new aspect of play in therapy. Yielding better results, play, in therapy, protects the mental health of every child and encourages (reinforces) them to participate fully. We take advantage of the knowledge gain from the classroom and introduce technology like, smart TV systems and interactive play to accomplish more than traditional ABA Services. Each child is an individual and doesn't quite fit perfectly into any diagnosis (no one does), so we design programs that include other therapies and interactions with the child to ensure that we are tapping into every strength and need for that child. Who are we? We are the future of ABA!
Our Services
Our Services
Our Services
ABA Therapy addresses several aspects of a child's needs and develops a plan to address those needs. The ABA process lead by the BCBA is complicated, unique and fully automated once data is entered. The BCBA assesses the child (initial) and develops targets (training protocols) that is administered by a Registered Behavior Technicians. This is the basis of ABA services, a large array of goals and targets, and RBTs to implement the designed program. But what about the remaining time, the time in between, in front, and in back of the training? See, ABA teaching and training can be very rigorous, and some children are pushed to the limit. But there is more to helping our kiddos than known tasks and targets. We can accomplish more by integrating therapies that deal with behavior, skill development, social interaction, living skill acquisition and refinement, and clinical interventions for behaviors not adequately addressed by traditional ABA. We partner with Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Educators, as well as appropriate behavior approaches for children in-clinic, in-school, and in-residence.
Real Access
Our Services
Does HIPAA Prohibit Visitation?
One of the chief concerns of parents is HIPAA. Yes, families want their loved one's information protected, and we do too. Protecting a client's privacy as well as their records and treatment, is really not that hard. Most parents have a different concern, and that is 'access.' So why is access a big deal and why is it a concern for parents? Understanding HIPAA is the beginning, but also understanding when HIPAA is being use to deny access when it shouldn't be used to keep families out of common areas for short periods of time.
So why is this a big deal? Well, some agencies have policies in place such that visitation does not disrupt therapy, so parents are not allowed past the unsecured area. This leaves room for doubt as parents can become reasonably concerned about the potential for things being hidden. Ever heard of your 'best side?' Many agencies want to be prepared for visitors, and quite frankly, some agencies just don't want you back there. HIPAA is often used as the reason as most parents will not question when HIPAA is said as the reason. The truth is more close to agency policy than it is to HIPAA restrictions.
See HIPAA's applicability to ABA Clinic access for family members in the next section.
Does HIPAA Prohibit Visitation?
Does HIPAA Prohibit Visitation?
Does HIPAA Prohibit Visitation?
Ok, here it is. Here is how HIPAA Applies to ABA Clinics.
Question: Does HIPAA Prevent Visitation by Parents?
Answer: No, allowing parents to visit their own children in therapy is not a HIPAA violation, as long as reasonable safety guards are in place. Parents typically act as their child's "personal representative" under HIPAA and have full rights to access their child's care and records. However, the setting in which the therapy occurs dictates how the clinic must manage this.
- One-on-One / In-Home Therapy: There is generally no HIPAA risk. Parents observing these sessions are fully permitted.
- Clinic Settings: If the clinic is in a shared room or open-bay environment, other children are likely to be present. While a parent watching their own child is fine, the clinic must ensure this parent doesn't accidentally overhear the private health information (diagnoses, names, treatment details) of other children.
To maintain HIPAA compliance without excluding parents, most clinics implement:
- Scheduled Observations: Limiting drop-in observations to planned times so the clinic can protect other clients' privacy.
- Private Rooms: Moving the child and parent to a private room for the observation.
- Confidentiality Agreements: Requiring observing parents to sign a brief waiver or confidentiality agreement not to disclose what they see or hear in the clinic.
If the clinic uses HIPAA as a blanket excuse to completely ban you from observing your child's sessions, it is typically an operational policy rather than a strict legal restriction
Aging Out
Does HIPAA Prohibit Visitation?
Incorporating Play into Therapy
Aging out of childhood ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services marks a major transition. Fortunately, the science of ABA does not have an age limit, though therapy focus naturally shifts from play-based early intervention to building functional life skills, social communication, and vocational independence.
How to Navigate the Transition
- Shift to Life Skills: Adolescent and adult ABA focuses on executive functioning, self-advocacy, community integration, and job coaching, rather than intensive, 40-hour-per-week childhood models.
- Explore Insurance Options: Private health insurance can sometimes cover outpatient adult ABA if it is deemed medically necessary for skill-building or behavior reduction. Review your coverage through the TN Department of Commerce & Insurance.
- Connect with State Waivers: In Tennessee, adults (18+) with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) can transition to the Employment & Community First (ECF) CHOICES program through TennCare. This program funds behavior services, job coaching, and independent living support.
Local Nashville Support & Resources
- Community Advocacy: Tap into Autism Tennessee to find local neurodiversity-affirming social groups, peer support, and family navigation resources.
- Adult Day Services & Respite: Emerging local facilities like My Happy Place in nearby Gallatin provide engaging socialization and day programs for adults beyond school age.
- Aging and Disability Resources: Contact the Mid-Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability at (615) 862-8800 to determine eligibility for state-funded adult disability and long-term care programs.
If you'd like, let me know:
- Your child's current age
- Their primary goals (e.g., higher education, vocational training, independent living)
- Whether they are currently enrolled in Medicaid/TennCare or a school system
Incorporating Play into Therapy
Does HIPAA Prohibit Visitation?
Incorporating Play into Therapy
Play is a primary therapeutic tool to teach social, communication, and functional skills to autistic children, using structured, sensory, and child-led approaches. Techniques include parallel play, role-playing, visual supports, and video modeling to build skills like which is a relationship-based model.
Key Play Types and Strategies
- Structured Play: Uses activities with clear goals, such as puzzles, shape sorters, and building blocks to teach logic and turn-taking.
- Sensory Play: Incorporates sand, water, and texture materials to help with regulation and sensory processing.
- Pretend/Symbolic Play: Teaches imagination and social roles through role-play (e.g., store, doctor) and play scripts.
- Functional/Exploratory Play: Focuses on using toys for their intended purpose (e.g., rolling a car, feeding a doll) to increase engagement.
- Modeling: Adults or siblings demonstrate how to play with toys to encourage imitation and engagement.
Methods for Implementation
- ABA Therapy: Integrates play to reinforce positive behaviors, promote skill generalization, and build communication skills.
- Visual Supports: Uses pictures or checklists to break down play routines, which reduces anxiety and increases independence.
- Following the Child’s Lead: Building on a child's existing interests in a relaxed, low-pressure way to strengthen relationships and engagement.
- Video Modeling: Recording and watching pretend play scenes to teach complex social skills or sequences.
Benefits
- Social Development: Improves joint attention, sharing, and interaction.
- Emotional Regulation: Helps children manage sensory needs and emotions, enhancing focus.
- Cognitive and Motor Growth: Enhances problem-solving, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills.
