Therapist glad to point parents in right direction New Hazlet clinic specializes in working with autistic children BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer HAZLET - Over the past few years, Myra Flynn worked as a behavioral therapist but didn't have a place to call home. Five months ago, that changed. Armed with 13 years of experience and a reputation gained through word of mouth, Flynn opened Precious Gems Therapy and Respite Center, 82 Bethany Road in July. Her business services those with autism as well as ADD, ADHD, and OCD. They also offer free advocacy services. "We cannot make diagnoses because we're not doctors here, but we can certainly point parents in the right direction as to what their options are," Flynn said. Flynn's initial goal is to let the autism community know that her business exists. She also wants to bring on more staff, in addition to the three therapists and two teachers of the handicapped that she already has, and more clientele. "Right now I have about 12 clients and hopefully really soon we can have about 30 or so," Flynn said. "I don't want to overdo it, because I still want to have the time to devote to each child that comes in here." Even though Flynn has her own office now, she still makes house calls. "To go into people's homes and see parents be so distraught because their child may have autism, it's a very difficult thing," Flynn explained. "It's almost like therapists and psychologists all at the same time. Still, this is my job and I do enjoy it." One of her most enjoyable experiences came recently when a parent came in to her office and told her that Flynn's assessment of her child was exactly correct. "That parent came back to thank us and it really brought us to tears," Flynn said. "I was so glad that somebody really appreciated what we could do for them." In the long term, Flynn wants to build her business to a point where she can buy a home - but not for herself. "I want to gut it completely," Flynn said, "and then build it back up and make it look real nice and have an occupational, behavioral, physical and speech therapist working from there, along with a psychologist. I hate that parents have to shuttle their kids from place to place to get things done. If I could have it so that there would be one place that everything could be done in, that would be great." For more information about Precious Gems Therapy and Respite Center's services, call (732) 207-9279.