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Helping kids and families flourish

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HOWARD – In Howard, a new center for autism therapy is helping kids flourish in the community.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Alex and Jenna Ryczek, Flourish ABA Learning Center combines Executive Clinical Director Jenna’s clinical expertise with Alex’s business experience to bring much-needed services to children and families in the area.

The idea for Flourish ABA Learning Center began to take shape over two years ago.

“My wife has been in the field for over a decade, working for various companies after graduating from UW-Oshkosh,” Alex shared, who serves as Flourish’s business manager.

With a background in business and real estate, Alex supported Jenna as she built her career and developed relationships within the industry.

“Probably two years ago, we both decided that we wanted to move forward and open our own center. With all of the relationships she’s created in the past, they were instrumental in helping us find the right path in making this dream a reality. We knew we wanted to create our own environment and culture,” he added.

The name “Flourish” encapsulates their mission.

“We want kids and families to flourish in their everyday life,” Alex explained.
The center focuses on providing high-quality, evidence-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
This research-based approach helps children learn new skills and modify behaviors, ultimately setting them up for long-term success.

At Flourish, therapy is highly individualized — each child receives one-on-one attention, typically for 20-30 hours a week.

The center’s programs focus on preparing younger children, often those between the ages of 2 and 12, to transition into different environments.

“We bring kids in and put together a treatment plan, then implement it across different settings,” Alex added.

The facility is designed with various rooms to help children acclimate to new environments, such as a classroom, and technicians track progress using tablets to streamline data collection.

“This allows more focus on client interaction and better oversight,” Alex noted.
Jenna and Alex’s shared vision extends beyond therapy sessions.

“If I were a parent at a doctor’s appointment and received an autism diagnosis for my child, I wouldn’t know where to turn,” Alex reflected. “We want to give parents confidence that autism isn’t a bad thing—it’s just different. Families shouldn’t be afraid. We’re here to help.”

Through their work, the Ryczeks aim to shift perceptions, showing that autism is not a negative diagnosis but an opportunity to grow and learn.

The results are deeply rewarding for the team.

“There’s a big change Jenna describes,” Alex shared. “A kid will come in, we’ll put together a treatment plan, and by the time the program is complete, there’s a significant improvement in their abilities. Seeing kids grow and learn is a satisfying feeling.”

As the center continues to grow, the Ryczeks are looking to deepen their impact by building relationships with local school districts and supporting children as they transition into traditional classrooms.

“The earlier kids can get into a program, the better the results are for long-term success and independence,” Alex emphasized.

Flourish ABA Learning Center is more than a business for the Ryczeks—it’s a calling.

For more information, visit www.flourish-aba.com.

Hobart, autism therapy, kids flourish, community, Ryczek, Flourish ABA Learning Center, career, Bierowski

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