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We Care About Your Child’s Journey
We’re here to help your child with autism reach their full potential.
Getting Started With Autism Therapy
The journey toward reaching positive outcomes begins with an autism screening.
Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
If you’re passionate about helping children with autism, join our mission.
Our team is here to guide you:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
Find Personalized ABA Therapy Near You
Discover Effective ABA Therapy
At Centria, our ABA therapy services are designed to ensure that every child is in a supportive, joyful environment where they feel motivated and eager to participate. Our compassionate, assent-based approach prioritizes your child’s willingness to engage, making our therapy sessions as enjoyable as they are effective.
We’ve helped over
10,000+ children
and counting to acquire essential life skills to help them reach their full potential.
What is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is a well-established, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals with autism develop essential skills and improve their quality of life.
By focusing on positive reinforcement and individualized strategies, ABA therapy helps children with autism learn new behaviors, enhance communication and navigate social interactions effectively. Our approach centers on client assent, ensuring that therapy is both engaging and productive.
Benefits of ABA Therapy
Reduction of Problematic Behaviors
Through our Foundations of Care therapy model, we have seen 90% of our clients reduce problematic behaviors to zero within 30 days. ABA therapy focuses on replacing challenging behaviors with positive alternatives.
Improvement in Communication Skills
ABA therapy helps children develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills, enabling them to express their needs, desires and emotions more effectively.
Enhancement of Social Skills
Through structured interactions, children learn how to engage with others, understand social cues and build meaningful relationships.
Development of Adaptive Living Skills
ABA therapy also focuses on teaching essential adaptive living skills, such as self-care, organization and daily routines, which are crucial for independence and overall quality of life.
How ABA Therapy Works
Getting Started With ABA Therapy: At Centria, our approach to ABA therapy is comprehensive and tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our process includes:
Assessment and Goal Setting
We begin with a detailed assessment of your child’s strengths, challenges and needs. Based on this assessment, we collaborate with you to set meaningful, achievable goals.
Individualized Treatment Plan
Each therapy plan is customized to address your child's specific behaviors and developmental goals. Our plans are flexible and evolve as your child progresses.
Implementation and Monitoring
Our experienced therapists implement your child’s treatment plan using evidence-based techniques. We continuously monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to ensure success.
Family Engagement
We believe that family involvement is crucial to the success of ABA therapy. We engage parents and caregivers throughout the therapy process, providing the support and education needed to reinforce your child’s learning at home.
Lasting Progress and Adaptability
We focus on ensuring that the skills your child learns in therapy are displayed across various settings, such as home, school and community environments, to promote lasting progress and adaptability.
Our Approach to ABA Therapy Programs
Assessment and Evaluation
Our thorough assessment process identifies your child's unique needs and helps us tailor a therapy plan that aligns with their strengths and challenges.
Individualized Treatment Plan
We create personalized plans that are flexible and adaptive, ensuring that your child receives the most effective interventions.
Implementation and Monitoring
Our therapists work closely with your child, using positive reinforcement and other proven techniques to promote learning and development. We track progress carefully, making adjustments as needed.
Autism Therapy Settings
Centria offers ABA therapy in various settings to best meet your family’s needs.
Center-Based ABA Therapy
Our centers provide a structured, social environment where your child can interact with peers and engage in a variety of learning activities. This setting is ideal for children who benefit from a more engaging and interactive atmosphere.
In-Home ABA Therapy
For children who thrive in the comfort of their own home, we bring our experienced therapists to you. In-home therapy allows for personalized, context-specific interventions that integrate seamlessly into your child’s daily routine.
Life Skills Autism Academy
Life Skills Autism Academy focuses on early intervention, offering services for children 5 years old and younger. These centers mimic a school environment, emphasizing peer socialization and preparing your child for future success.
Cost and Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy
Understanding the costs associated with ABA therapy and navigating insurance coverage can be complex. At Centria, we strive to make this process as straightforward as possible by offering guidance and support. Our team is here to help you understand your insurance benefits and explore funding options that may be available to you.
Autism Therapy Success Stories
Centria has helped over 10,000 children make significant progress through our ABA therapy programs. We invite you to watch some of their incredible journeys and see the impact that compassionate, assent-based care can make.
Find Autism Therapy Services Near You
Centria offers ABA therapy services across multiple locations, ensuring that families everywhere have access to the support they need. Find a Centria location near you.
We Are Here to Answer Any of Your Questions
What is a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA, is a graduate-level professional who is certified in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. BCBAs apply the principles of ABA to help children with autism improve behaviors and reach optimal outcomes so that they can reach their true potential.
Centria Autism BCBAs oversee the creation, implementation and evaluation of individualized ABA Therapy for our clients. They take the lead building the best possible plan based on each child’s unique strengths and challenges.
Can you help me schedule an autism diagnosis appointment?
Yes, we can! At Centria Autism we have an entire team of specialists who can help you navigate through the often-complex process to begin ABA therapy, which all starts with a formal diagnostic evaluation. We will work with you to help locate and schedule a diagnostic evaluation and keep in contact with you along the way.
What is a Behavior Technician?
At Centria Autism, Behavior Technicians work one-on-one with children with autism to implement techniques that help them navigate everyday processes. We train every one of our Behavior Technicians in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a treatment that breaks processes and behaviors down into small, simple steps.
Do I need to do all the recommended hours of therapy?
ABA therapy is a “dose-dependent” therapy, which means the higher the dose the greater the treatment effect.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, The National Research Council, and the National Standards Project of the National Autism Center all confirm that starting ABA therapy as soon as possible with intensive behavioral analytic intervention of 25-40 hours a week for 12 months a year is associated with “substantial, sustained gains in IQ, language, academic performance, and adaptive behavior, as well as some measures of social behavior, and their outcomes have been significantly better than those of children in control groups.
What milestones should my child be reaching?
Understanding what typical social, emotional and motor-skill development to look for in your child is important and knowing what to do next is critical in setting your child on a path toward success. Below are example developmental milestones children should be reaching:
9 MONTH-OLD MILESTONES
Bears weight on legs with support
Sits with help
Babbles (says “mama,” “baba,” “dada”)
Responds to own name
Transfers toys from one hand to the other
1 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Crawls
Stands when supported
Searches for things that he or she sees you hide
Says single words like “mama” or “dada”
Points to things
18 MONTH-OLD MILESTONES
Points with intent to show things to others
Knows what familiar things are used for
Copies others
Gains new words
Knows at least six words
Notices when a caregiver leaves or returns
2 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Uses two-word phrases (for example, “drink milk”)
Knows what to do with common things such as brushes, phones, forks and spoons
Copies actions and words
Follows simple instructions
3 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES:
Copies adults and friends
Takes turns playing games
Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
Says their own first name and age
4 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Enjoys doing new things
Would rather play with other children than by themselves
Able to name some colors and numbers
Can tell you what they think will happen next in a book
If your child is displaying any sign of developmental delays when comparing to their expected milestones, it’s important to speak to your child’s physician as a diagnostic test or screening for autism spectrum disorder may be necessary.
9 MONTH-OLD MILESTONES
Bears weight on legs with support
Sits with help
Babbles (says “mama,” “baba,” “dada”)
Responds to own name
Transfers toys from one hand to the other
1 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Crawls
Stands when supported
Searches for things that he or she sees you hide
Says single words like “mama” or “dada”
Points to things
18 MONTH-OLD MILESTONES
Points with intent to show things to others
Knows what familiar things are used for
Copies others
Gains new words
Knows at least six words
Notices when a caregiver leaves or returns
2 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Uses two-word phrases (for example, “drink milk”)
Knows what to do with common things such as brushes, phones, forks and spoons
Copies actions and words
Follows simple instructions
3 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES:
Copies adults and friends
Takes turns playing games
Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
Says their own first name and age
4 YEAR-OLD MILESTONES
Enjoys doing new things
Would rather play with other children than by themselves
Able to name some colors and numbers
Can tell you what they think will happen next in a book
If your child is displaying any sign of developmental delays when comparing to their expected milestones, it’s important to speak to your child’s physician as a diagnostic test or screening for autism spectrum disorder may be necessary.
How long are ABA therapy sessions?
Therapy sessions are based upon the number of hours your Board Certified Behavior Analyst recommends as part of the treatment plan. Sessions will range from 2 to 5 hours based on the need of the individual child and the associated treatment goals your BCBA and yourself have created together.
How many hours of therapy does my child need?
ABA therapy is usually prescribed in “hours per week” – and this is oftentimes referred to as the “treatment dosage”. ABA therapy is a “dose-dependent” therapy, which means the higher the dose, the greater the treatment effect. To determine the appropriate amount of therapy hours, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will complete a behavior assessment prior to starting therapy and make a recommendation of therapy hours based on your child’s needs and your family’s goals for treatment.
Are parents involved in ABA therapy treatment planning?
Yes, you will! Parent and family involvement in the treatment planning for a child with autism is very important. You know your child best and your family’s goals for your child will be incorporated into the therapy treatment plan. In addition, it’s important for families to participate in ABA training sessions so that they can extend the child’s treatment to the hours outside of therapy.
What are the signs my child might have autism?
The signs of autism vary from child to child, as does the timing of those signs. The following are core signs, symptoms and behaviors of children affected by autism.
- Impaired Social Communication Skills
- Impaired Communication Skills
- Repetitive or Restricted Behaviors
- Other Behaviors of Concerns
What is the process to receive ABA therapy for my child?
There are 5 typical steps in order for a child to receive ABA therapy. Centria Autism can help you navigate this process and support you along the way.
Step 1: Screening
A screening, like the M-Chat®, can help identify the likelihood that your child may have autism. Screenings are not a formal diagnosis and should be used in conjunction with a formal diagnosis appointment.
Step 2: Diagnosis
Working with a medical professional who can provide a formal diagnosis, such as a pediatrician or licensed psychologist, you and your child will complete a diagnostic test to determine if a child has an official diagnosis of ASD.
Step 3: Insurance Navigation
Working with your insurance provider, we will help navigate the process to verify if coverage is provided. In addition, we will help you submit all the necessary paperwork to obtain an authorization from your provider to receive ABA therapy as a covered benefit.
Step 4: Assessment
A Centria Autism Supervising Clinician will meet with you and your child to complete an assessment, which is a series of tests that determine what therapy level is recommended. Also known as “treatment intensity”, the dosage recommendation of ABA therapy is commonly prescribed in hours per week.
Step 5: Treatment Planning
Once your insurance provider approves the assessment and therapy hours, a Centria Autism Supervising Clinician will sit down with you and your child to discuss an individualized, child-centric treatment plan. This plan will be centered around the needs of your child, unique to your child, and with your input.
Step 1: Screening
A screening, like the M-Chat®, can help identify the likelihood that your child may have autism. Screenings are not a formal diagnosis and should be used in conjunction with a formal diagnosis appointment.
Step 2: Diagnosis
Working with a medical professional who can provide a formal diagnosis, such as a pediatrician or licensed psychologist, you and your child will complete a diagnostic test to determine if a child has an official diagnosis of ASD.
Step 3: Insurance Navigation
Working with your insurance provider, we will help navigate the process to verify if coverage is provided. In addition, we will help you submit all the necessary paperwork to obtain an authorization from your provider to receive ABA therapy as a covered benefit.
Step 4: Assessment
A Centria Autism Supervising Clinician will meet with you and your child to complete an assessment, which is a series of tests that determine what therapy level is recommended. Also known as “treatment intensity”, the dosage recommendation of ABA therapy is commonly prescribed in hours per week.
Step 5: Treatment Planning
Once your insurance provider approves the assessment and therapy hours, a Centria Autism Supervising Clinician will sit down with you and your child to discuss an individualized, child-centric treatment plan. This plan will be centered around the needs of your child, unique to your child, and with your input.
How long has ABA therapy been around?
Behavior Analysis has been studied for decades, however ABA Therapy has been growing for approximately 40 years.
Is ABA therapy effective?
ABA Therapy is the single most effective treatment for children with ASD and the only treatment shown to lead to substantial, lasting improvements in the lives of children with autism. Over 1,000 peer-reviewed, scientific autism articles describe ABA Therapy successes, leading to the National Institute of Health and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment to endorse the method, along with the U.S. Surgeon General. Read more about this on our ABA therapy page.
What is SBT in ABA Therapy?
SBT, or Skill-Based Treatment, is a compassionate and systematic process to teach your child the necessary skills that occur in various contexts and situations while also ensuring it is a positive experience.
At Centria, we are committed to ensuring our therapy sessions are in line with the values of Skill-Based Treatment (SBT).
What’s the difference between in-home and center-based ABA therapy?
The difference between in-home and center-based therapy is the location that ABA therapy takes place.
- Home-based therapy takes place directly in your home, with a Behavior Technician coming to your home to provide therapy to your child.
- Center-based therapy takes place in ABA therapy centers designed to provide therapy to children diagnosed with ASD.
- The location of therapy is based on the treatment plan established by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A BCBA will determine the most appropriate therapy setting based on the individual child’s therapy goals.
Looking for a Career in Autism?
If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with autism, consider joining our team. We offer a range of career opportunities in ABA therapy and related fields.
