We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Preston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I really didn’t think about it….I jumped right in and just trusted that it would all work out as long as long as I worked from my heart and fought for the special individuals I work with.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have two businesses. The first, MP Behavioral Consultants, is an ABA company that I opened in 2002 and have worked to help individuals with Autism and related disabilities reduce problem behavior, learn skills that will help them become more independent, and train parents and professionals to interact more effectively with special needs individuals. Additionally, I provide advocacy and consultation with other programs, schools, and parents in other countries. The second business is a private school, DiverseAbilities Center, that accepts students ages 5 to adulthood. We offer individualized and intensive instruction using ABA techniques and other research-based proven methods that teach these students the way they learn.
We are building a one-of-its kind program in Southwest Ranches that will have preschool, elementary, middle, and high school. There will be a therapy center that will provide Occupational therapy, Speech and language and Physical therapy as well as feeding and equine therapy. We will have an adult program that teaches vocational skills with job carvers and job coaches. The unique part of this program is that it is also going to be a certified Agricultural program that teaches students to work with plants by creating food forests and nurseries. Students will also learn to work with animals such as sheep, goats, and horses. We are planning to have food trucks and small businesses that will allow the students to learn to manage themselves in a work place, learn about the financial aspects of business, make products out of the plants they are growing and practice customer service. In the future we will add group homes and independent living for special needs individuals. In essence, we want a “one-stop-shop” for special needs individuals.
This will be the culmination of 20 years of planning, learning, failures and eventually successes. Having to deal with State funding, insurance companies and bureaucracy has been quite a challenge but, I think I have learned to navigate the system and work with them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them on every ‘water’ excursion I could think of including kayaking, paddle boarding and on my boat. We would spend a day spearfishing, snorkeling, and diving. Restaurants include Runway 84, Coconuts on the beach, and 15th Street Fisheries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank Dr Patrick McGreevey who first introduced Behavior Analysis to me when I was teaching in Orange County Public schools. Dr Vincent Caarbone who mentored me through the process and my husband and family who have always supported and encouraged me.

Website: https://www.teachdiverseabilities.com

Instagram: Diverseabilitiesfl

Twitter: DiverseabilitiesCenter@DiverseA2006

Image Credits
Maria Preston

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