We love the Netherlands - but English is our native language
Utrecht Autism Services is a new provider here in the Netherlands. Our founder, Audrey Gifford, Ph.D., BCBA-D, has recently moved here from America and brings decades of experience and doctoral level education to families who speak primarily English in the Utrecht/Amsterdam regions. We specialize in helping children with severe needs across all domains, as well as children and teens with higher skill levels who need help primarily with social skills, pragmatic language, and behavior management. At this time our services are provided in English (with some Spanish) but we are working on our Dutch!
State of the art services for families with neurodiverse children
Utrecht Autism Services provides uniquely designed effective, gentle, and compassionate in-home programs to English-speaking families with children with autism and other neurodiversities. Our founder, Audrey Gifford, Phd., BCBA-D, has extensive experience helping both children with severe needs across all domains and children and teens with higher skill levels who need help primarily with social skills, pragmatic language, and behavior management. ALL of our programs start by asking you, their parents, what your priorities are and what outcomes you hope we can help your child achieve.
Our specialized programs
Utrecht Autism Services offers a range of programs designed to meet the unique needs of neurodiverse children and their families. All of our programs are individually designed and continually updated by a doctoral level professional. We recognize that you know your child better than anyone else can, and parent priorities are always the first step in designing our programs.
Intensive Programs
Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Programs: Decades of peer reviewed research continue to support findings that these programs result in significant, permanent improvement in cognitive, language, adaptive, and social outcomes in children under seven years of age. These programs usually involve 20-40 hours per week of one to one services by highly trained behavior professionals (RBTs) with in-person supervision and data review by a master's or doctoral level BCBA for at least 10% of the total hours provided. They also include parent coaching so families have strategies to use to help their child thrive even when we are not there.
Focused/Functional Skills Programs
Focused/Functional Skills Programs: These programs typically address skills that have been set as a priority by the family, such as pragmatic language, daily living skills (such as toileting, eating, bathing and dressing) and social skills. They include the use of highly trained behavior professionals (RBTs) with in-person supervision and data review by a master's or doctoral level BCBA for at least 10% of the total hours provided, but for less than 20 hours per week. Often these programs are used to supplement school-based programs, typically for children 7 years or older. They also include parent coaching so families have strategies to use to help their child thrive even when we are not there.
Parent Coaching Programs
Our parent coaching programs start with asking you what your priorities are and what is doable for you. Typical issues we address include toileting, managing challenging behavior, sleep issues, daily living skills such as dressing, bathing and brushing teeth, tolerating hair cuts and hair brushing, getting out of the door in the morning without a meltdown, simple eating problems (drinking out of a cup without a lid, staying seated while eating, eating only their own food, etc.) and the inevitable issues that are unique to each child. With your ongoing input, we coach you through the techniques you need to help your child.
Our commitment to world class quality for every child
We know it is a privilege to be entrusted with being part of your child's unique journey as they learn and grow, and we are dedicated to providing uniquely designed, effective behavior analytic consulting services to families with neurodiverse children. We never simply copy a program out of a pre-existing book. We recognize that you, the parent, know your child better than we ever will, and your input is crucial at every step of the way. We use the principles of our science to individually build and continually revise each program with your priorities and your child's unique strengths, desires, and needs in mind. We are committed to developing effective strategies to enhance skills, manage challenging behaviors, and maximize your child's potential.
From some former clients of Dr. Gifford:
These testimonials are from the parents of some of Dr. Gifford's former clients from her practice in America. They were requested via a short text message, and Dr. Gifford remains profoundly grateful for these thoughtful quotes.
"When our daughter was diagnosed with autism, we found ourselves navigating a world that felt overwhelming, uncertain, and often isolating. Meeting Dr. Gifford was one of the greatest blessings our family could have hoped for.
From the very beginning, she saw our daughter not as a diagnosis, but as a unique and capable individual with tremendous potential. Through her expertise in ABA therapy, unwavering dedication, and genuine compassion, she helped our daughter develop skills, confidence, and independence that we once feared might never be possible.
The progress our daughter made under her guidance was remarkable, but what stands out even more is the hope she gave our family. She provided not only exceptional services, but also encouragement, education, and support during a time when we needed it most. Because of her work, the trajectory of our daughter's life changed for the better.
We will always be grateful that our paths crossed. Her knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to helping children reach their fullest potential are truly extraordinary. She has made a lasting difference in our daughter's life and in our family's future. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Michelle M., parent of former client.
"When our son was diagnosed with autism at 20 months old, we knew early intervention would be critical, but we could never have imagined the difference it would make. Through Dr. Gifford and her team’s services, our son gained the foundational communication, social, and coping skills he needed to thrive. Today, at nearly 13 years old, he is a high-achieving student who has earned High Honors throughout middle school, has a strong group of friends, plays sports year-round, and requires very few supports. He is thriving. We will always be grateful for the individualized care he received during those early years, which helped set him on the path to success."
Alison B, parent of former client.
"When our son and daughter joined our family at the ages of 7 and 8, they had already experienced years of instability and trauma. Because of multiple placements and disrupted attachments, they had missed many of the developmental, social, emotional, and daily living skills that most children learn during their early years.
I remember meeting Audrey Gifford, BCBA, for the first time and feeling completely overwhelmed. As a new adoptive parent, I worried that I wouldn't know what to do or that my inexperience would somehow get in the way of helping my children. Those fears disappeared almost immediately. Audrey and her team were warm, knowledgeable, compassionate, and the consummate professionals.
For several years, Audrey's team came into our home five days a week after school, providing individualized support for our children. They didn't just work with our kids, they empowered us with the knowledge and confidence to reinforce the skills being taught, making us true partners in our children's progress.
What impressed me most was Audrey's unwavering commitment to our entire family. Whenever challenges arose, she and her team were always there to listen, problem-solve, and develop practical strategies that worked for our unique situation. We never felt judged, only supported. There wasn’t anything that Audrey wasn't willing to do to support our son and daughter.
The progress our children made under Audrey's guidance was nothing short of remarkable. She helped lay the foundation for skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, while giving us the tools to continue building on that success as parents.
If you are looking for a BCBA who combines exceptional clinical expertise with genuine compassion, Audrey Gifford is simply outstanding. She changed the trajectory of our children's lives, and our family will always be grateful for the incredible care, dedication, and support she gave us every step of the way.
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Lori F. parent of former clients
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