10/10/2026
Our hearts are absolutely broken over the recent reports of alleged abuse involving a child with autism in our community. As pediatric therapy professionals, it is devastating to hear of a child being harmed by someone entrusted with their care.
Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected, especially those who may not have the ability to effectively communicate when something is wrong.
In light of recent events, we feel it is important to share our perspective on behavioral therapy, professional accountability, and the responsibility we have to the families who trust us.
At Cutting Edge Therapy Services, we have always been intentional about the providers we recommend to our families. We do not make referrals or offer professional endorsements to individuals or organizations whose clinical practices, standards of care, and professional integrity we are not personally familiar with.
For clarity, Cutting Edge has never had an established professional relationship or collaborative partnership with any Behavioral Health, nor have we ever recommended or endorsed their services. This has been our position since before the recent events and is not a decision made in response to them.
We recognize that some of our patients receive services from multiple providers. However, sharing a patient does not mean that two organizations have an established collaborative relationship or that one endorses the other’s services.
Behavioral therapy carries an enormous responsibility. Which is why we make for certain that we can trust our babies with a behavioral therapist prior to recommending them.
Many children receiving these services have complex developmental, communication, sensory, and emotional regulation needs. Some may have difficulty expressing discomfort, fear, frustration, or mistreatment.
We believe these children deserve professionals with appropriate training, sound clinical judgment, meaningful supervision, and a thorough understanding of their individual needs.
While entry-level providers can play valuable roles under qualified supervision, a few weeks of initial training should never be mistaken for the experience and clinical oversight necessary to safely address complex behavioral needs.
Inadequate training, inappropriate interventions, or insufficient supervision can unintentionally increase challenging behaviors, overlook underlying needs, and potentially cause physical or emotional harm.
At Cutting Edge, we believe behavior is communication.
When a child demonstrates challenging behaviors, our first question should not simply be, “How do we stop this behavior?”
Instead, we should be asking WHY.
Is the child struggling to communicate? Are they overwhelmed by sensory input? Are they experiencing difficulty with emotional regulation? Are they attempting to escape an uncomfortable situation? Is there an underlying need that has not been addressed?
Simply focusing on reducing or eliminating a behavior without understanding why it is occurring can overlook the support that child truly needs.
Our approach emphasizes identifying and treating underlying areas of difficulty, including communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor development, and functional independence through the appropriate skilled therapy services.
We also encourage parents to be informed advocates when considering behavioral therapy for their children.
Ask about the qualifications of the individual providing treatment. Ask how frequently they receive direct supervision. Ask how treatment goals are established and how progress is measured. If extensive therapy hours are recommended, ask for an individualized explanation of why that level of treatment is necessary and how your child’s overall well-being is being considered.
Be cautious of anyone promising to “fix” your child’s behaviors or presenting one type of therapy as the solution to every developmental challenge. No single approach replaces the value of individualized, interdisciplinary care.
In the past, we have recommended a BCBA whose professional practices we knew and trusted. That provider is no longer practicing in our area. At this time, we do not have an established working relationship with a local behavioral therapy provider whom we know well enough to personally recommend.
We recognize that there are compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated professionals working in behavioral health. Our referral practices are not a judgment of an entire profession. They reflect the responsibility we feel when families trust us to help guide decisions regarding their children’s care.
Our hearts are with this sweet boy and his family. We hope that the recent reports lead to greater awareness, meaningful accountability, and important conversations about the standards of care and oversight that vulnerable children deserve.
Children deserve more than someone who meets the minimum qualifications to provide a service. They deserve professionals who are competent, compassionate, appropriately supervised, and committed to protecting their safety, dignity, and well-being.
At Cutting Edge Therapy Services, that is a responsibility we will never take lightly.
**This is an open and ongoing investigation.
