★ANSWERS FOR FAMILIES
Questions are a strong first step.
Start with clear answers about ABA, speech support, assessments, insurance, transportation and what your family can expect.
What is autism spectrum disorder?+
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition that can affect communication, social interaction, learning and behavior. Signs generally appear early in development, although autism may be diagnosed at any age.
Autism is described as a spectrum because each person has a different combination of strengths, support needs and experiences. People of every gender, race, ethnicity and economic background can be autistic.
ASD may involve
- Differences in communication and social interaction
- Restricted interests or repetitive behaviors
- Differences that affect participation at school, work or in daily life
What are the signs and symptoms of ASD?+
Signs vary widely, and no person will show every example. A qualified healthcare professional considers the full developmental picture rather than any single behavior.
Social communication and interaction
- Limited or inconsistent eye contact or response to their name
- Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation or understanding another person's perspective
- Differences in facial expression, gesture, tone of voice, imaginative play or friendship skills
Restricted, repetitive or sensory patterns
- Repeated movements, words or phrases
- Strong focused interests or attention to parts of objects
- Distress with changes in routine or transitions
- Greater or lower sensitivity to sound, light, clothing, temperature or other sensory input
Strengths may include
- Detailed memory and deep knowledge of preferred subjects
- Strong visual or auditory learning
- Strengths in areas such as mathematics, science, music or art
What are the causes and risk factors for ASD?+
There is no single known cause of autism. Research suggests that genetic factors interact with aspects of development and environment. Having a risk factor does not mean that a person will develop ASD.
Factors associated with increased likelihood may include
- Having a sibling with ASD
- Older parental age
- Certain genetic conditions, including Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome
- Very low birth weight
How is ASD diagnosed?+
Healthcare professionals diagnose ASD by evaluating development and behavior. A reliable diagnosis may be possible by age two, and families should seek an evaluation whenever developmental concerns arise.
Young children usually begin with developmental screening during well-child visits. If screening identifies concerns, a more comprehensive diagnostic evaluation may follow.
A comprehensive evaluation may include
- Medical and neurological examinations
- Assessment of cognitive, speech, language and daily-living skills
- Observation of behavior and discussion of developmental history
- Hearing tests, laboratory testing or other assessments when clinically appropriate
The evaluation team may include
- Developmental pediatricians or child neurologists
- Psychologists or psychiatrists
- Speech-language pathologists, educational specialists or occupational therapists
What treatment options are available for ASD?+
Support should be individualized and may begin as soon as needs are identified. There is no single best service for every autistic person, so families should work with qualified healthcare professionals to select appropriate supports.
Behavioral, psychological, educational and skill-building services may support communication, social participation, daily living and independence. Medication may be prescribed by a healthcare professional for specific co-occurring symptoms; it does not treat autism itself.
What credentials are required for the Children's Love clinical team?+
Children's Love requires clinical team members to maintain role-appropriate credentials, training and compliance documents. Requirements vary by position and applicable rules.
Training and certifications displayed by Children's Love
- Current RBT or behavior-analyst credential, as applicable
- Annual HIV/AIDS, HIPAA, security awareness, civil rights, domestic violence and OSHA training
- CPR and first aid renewed every two years
- Zero Tolerance training renewed every three years
- DCF Child Care Credential where applicable
Additional compliance documents
- Current physical examination and required background screening
- Police record check renewed as required
- Current professional liability insurance when applicable
How does the ABA care team work?+
ABA care is collaborative. Each team member has a defined role, and services are supervised according to professional standards and the child's individualized plan.
RBT — Registered Behavior Technician
- Provides direct one-to-one services under supervision
- Implements the treatment plan and records progress data
- Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality
BCaBA — Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
- Supports program development under BCBA supervision
- May supervise and train RBTs within the permitted scope
- Assists with data review and caregiver collaboration
BCBA — Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Conducts assessments and develops individualized plans
- Provides clinical oversight and adjusts programs using data
- Supervises the care team and supports caregivers and educators
What are the advantages of ABA therapy in different environments?+
Practicing skills across settings can help children use what they learn in everyday life. The appropriate setting depends on clinical recommendations, authorization, availability and family priorities.
Home
- Practice routines and functional skills in a familiar setting
- Increase caregiver participation
- Address barriers where they naturally occur
School or daycare
- Support classroom routines and learning readiness
- Practice social and group-participation skills
- Coordinate strategies with educators when authorized
After-school and community settings
- Generalize communication, safety and independence skills
- Practice peer interaction and self-regulation
- Use skills in parks, stores, restaurants and other real-world environments
Are ABA therapies free?+
ABA services are not automatically free. Insurance may cover medically necessary ABA for eligible members, but benefits, deductibles, copays, authorization requirements and provider networks vary by plan.
Our intake team can verify known benefits before services begin. Medicaid members and families using Step Up scholarship funds should also confirm current eligibility, program rules and provider participation.
What documents may be needed to access ABA services?+
Requirements depend on the health plan, diagnosis, service requested and current authorization rules. The intake team will confirm the documents needed for your situation.
Commonly requested documents
- Referral or order for ABA services from an appropriate healthcare professional
- Diagnostic or developmental evaluation from a qualified specialist
- Current health-insurance information
- Letter of medical necessity when required
- School evaluation or IEP when relevant and authorized by the family
What behaviors and skills can ABA address?+
ABA may address behaviors that create barriers to safety, learning, communication or participation while also building useful replacement and independence skills. Goals must be individualized, measurable and respectful of the child.
Areas may include
- Safety concerns, aggression, self-injury, elopement or property destruction
- Communication, social interaction, turn-taking and play
- Daily living skills such as hygiene, dressing, feeding and toileting
- Learning readiness, following instructions and task participation
- Functional, motor, imitation and community skills
- Emotional expression, frustration tolerance and self-regulation
What is an ABA assessment and what is it for?+
An ABA assessment is a structured process for understanding a person's current strengths, skills, behaviors and support needs. Results help the clinical team design an individualized program and establish a baseline for measuring progress.
Assessment types may include
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to understand factors associated with a behavior
- Skills assessments such as VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R or AFLS when clinically appropriate
- Preference assessments to identify meaningful motivators
- Developmental and daily-living assessments
Assessment results help the team
- Identify existing strengths and priority needs
- Develop personalized intervention plans
- Establish measurable goals and monitor progress
- Determine appropriate service intensity and support
Ready to take the next step?
Tell us about your child, location and priorities. We’ll help you understand what comes next.