PHOENIX — Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers announced plans Tuesday to open 12 locations in Arizona in the next 12 to 18 months.

The Indiana-based centers care for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays.

“This is an intense one-on-one therapy that we provide within our centers that are for children on the autism spectrum,” Kim Strunk, founder and chief clinical officer, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

“We really focus on kids between 2 and 10 years old, on really helping them develop skills and the things that they need in order to be successful when they transition into school.”

Hopebridge Brings Pediatric Autism Therapy Centers into Arizona! Read more: https://t.co/j6H4t5vH1c#Arizona #Hopebridge #Autism #ASD #ABATherapy pic.twitter.com/ZDqlOYcBV9

— Hopebridge – Autism Therapy Centers (@Hopebridge360) August 6, 2019

The first sites are expected to open in north Phoenix and Glendale in September, followed by one in Tucson in October.

The facilities offer diagnostic evaluations, socialization, an insurance support team and parent training, among other services.

“We have a real heart and passion for helping children who haven’t had access to services, and as we continue to expand, we continue just to run into this overwhelming need for these children and families,” Strunk said.

“And Arizona is one of the states that really has been underserved, specifically for the autism population and providing this type of intervention.”

The centers expect to bring more than 650 jobs to the state, including trainers, operations positions and behavioral technicians and analysts.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report. 

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