A therapy is seeing amazing results in kids living with autism. Now, a local center is using it to help more kids. We had a chance to talk to one family who was almost at a breaking point. “It really has been life-changing,” said Shannon Allen, whose son Braden lives with autism. “Life-saving I would more say, actually,” added her husband Clint. Braden would have explosive bursts of anger, following by guilt and shame. “He was suicidal, not wanting to leave the house, not wanting to be with peers,” said Shannon. Braden went to Kids TLC in Olathe, where he lived several months. Therapists there used “DDP,” Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Practice. “What DDP does is it works with the parent and the child, primarily, to facilitate a more secure attachment, so the child can experience safety with the caregiver,” said Brandon Mock, Associate Vice-President of Phoenix Programming at Kids TLC. DDP uses a family-based approach called “PACE:” Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy. It teaches parents “connection before correction.” “It’s been life-changing, for us, and for Braden, because we now can relate to him, and he feels safe talking to us, and telling us how he’s feeling,” said Shannon. A breakthrough moment was when Braden felt safe calling Clint to talk about his behavior. “It seems like a small thing, but it’s kind of a big deal to us,” recalled Clint. Braden is now more confident, gets angry less, and rebounds faster. “It’s given him his life back, it’s absolutely given him his life back,” said Shannon. Kids TLC plans to become the first DDP certified residential facility in the U.S. They provide a variety of services. If you're interested in learning more about DDP, donating, or volunteering, CLICK HERE.