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Home  / Resource Center

Autism Resources for Families, Professionals and Clinicians

Whether you're a parent seeking guidance about how to support your child with autism, or a clinician looking to stay informed about best practices and new strategies, our blog offers a variety of topics tailored to your needs. From understanding the fundamentals of ABA therapy to exploring advanced techniques and success stories, our posts are designed to empower you with knowledge and tools to help every child reach their full potential. Dive into our articles and discover valuable information that can make a real difference in your journey.

Podcast

Transforming the Field of ABA Therapy

HRE Podcast

In the Happy Relaxed and Engaged podcast, hosts Timothy Yeager and Hillary Laney discuss the necessary changes towards assent drive care that need to happen in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Each week, they’ll interview a leader in the field to discuss how to implement those changes.
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Do Wonders Podcast

Each day, across the country there are thousands of incredible Centria technicians and clinicians providing behavior analytic therapy to individuals with autism. Built on a powerful science, these life changers come with the capacity to give, serve and ultimately be part of a transformative story.
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Additional Resources

Parent Resources

Explore strategies to support your child’s development, our goal is to provide you with reliable information, practical tools, and helpful guidance.

Student Resources

Student Resource copy: Explore resources designed to provide in-depth knowledge, practical skills and supervised fieldwork to students who aspire to be Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) or Supervising Clinicians.

Clinician Resources

These resources are designed to support clinicians in the field of ABA therapy, sharing valuable insights, research, and practical tools that can be applied in therapeutic settings.

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 do I do if my child has been diagnosed with autism?
If your child has been diagnosed with autism then the best next step is to start the process to begin ABA therapy. At Centria Autism, we will work side-by-side with you and your insurance providers and physicians to verify insurance coverage, get insurance authorizations and have an assessment scheduled as quickly as possible.
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.
How long will it take for my child to start ABA therapy?
Depending on your location, and time of day you will have ABA sessions, we can start in as little as two weeks. After the Initial Assessment and Treatment Plan are developed, your Client Service Manager will contact your Health Insurance provider and submit for ABA coverage. We will be working on finding you a Behavior Technician that meets the needs of your child. Also, your Supervising Clinician will supervise the treatment plan and Behavior Technician moving forward. Once all staff is in place, and the ABA coverage through the insurance provider is authorized, we are ready to start!
What are Centria Healthcare's Hours?
Centria Healthcare's National HQ office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 6pm EST. For therapy hours, please check the location nearest you. 
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.
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 is Telesupervision and can Centria Autism provide it?
Telesupervision is a technology-enabled form of therapy delivery. In a Telesupervision session, a child will work one-on-one with their in-person Behavior Technician while being supervised by a remote BCBA through a secure, HIPAA-compliant web-based platform – much like a video chat. Centria Autism does offer Telesupervision when there is no or limited access to an in-person BCBA in that area.
What is the M-Chat?
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-ChatTM) is a screening tool that can be used to help determine if behaviors a child is showing could indicate that child has autism. The screener is not a formal diagnosis evaluation, and if you have any questions regarding the outcome of the screener, please consult with your physician as a formal diagnostic evaluation may be needed.
Where does ABA therapy take place?
ABA Therapy can take place in the home or at a professionally managed center. ABA Therapy techniques work well in both environments. In choosing between the two, most families look for the most effective approach based upon the needs of their child and the demands of their lifestyle. The decision usually comes down to your personal preference and your child’s unique autism symptoms. Learn more about where Centria Autism provides in-home or center-based therapy on our Locations Page.
What is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is an evidence-based therapy in which behavior modifications are consistently applied and rewarded to make a meaningful change in overall behavior. During ABA Therapy, skills are broken down into small, easy-to-learn steps. Positive reinforcement is used to motivate the child, and data is continuously collected to measure the child’s progress and modify their personalized treatment plan. 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 endo
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
Learn more about the warning signs of autism by clicking here.
Are there different types of autism?
Autism is a Spectrum Disorder, which means that it affects each child differently. Every child has a unique set of characteristics, and each child’s ability to communicate, process, socialize and manage behavior will vary.
Can the BCBA instruct my child’s teacher on how to accommodate my child?
No they can not. However, your BCBA can provide information related to programs/skills being addressed in ABA therapy sessions, data related to those programs, and information regarding how various programs are ran. For example, if we are working on tolerating a difficult task for a specified duration, your BCBA can speak to the procedure used during ABA therapy to accomplish this. Your BCBA cannot instruct or provide any direct guidance on implementing programs or managing behavior within the classroom.
Is there a test for autism?
here is no single test for autism; for example, there is no blood test or brain scan that will tell you if someone has autism. However, there are typically two stages involved to an autism diagnosis that both involve screening. The most common validated screening tool is called the M-CHATTM Another form of screening is the ADOS, or Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
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.
How can I get started with ABA Therapy?
Reach out to our Autism Specialists today! Phone: 855-423-4629 Email: ABAintake@centriahealthcare.com
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 the age range Centria Autism provides ABA Therapy for?
The age of the children that we serve can vary based on what an individual’s insurance coverage will provide. Most often, we provide ABA therapy for children with autism between the ages of 2 and 21, but each state payer and each insurance company may have their own age limits.
What languages can Centria Autism provide ABA therapy in?
Centria has team members who are fluent in English, Spanish and Arabic. Depending on your insurance and the specific needs of the client and/or family, Centria can often identify and leverage translation companies to accommodate most languages.
What are Centria Autism's locations for ABA therapy?
Centria Autism is currently located in 11 states and growing! To find out if we have services in your area, please visit our Locations page.
Will I learn how to provide ABA therapy?
Yes, you will! Centria Autism’s Board Certified Behavior Analysts will work with you to schedule monthly ABA training sessions. These parent and family training sessions are important because they will help you learn the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis so that your child’s treatment can extend beyond just the hours of therapy.
Are services offered in home?
Centria Healthcare services are offered directly within your home. Centria Autism offers both in-home and center-based ABA Therapy services, however centers are not available in all locations.
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).
Is Centria Autism hiring?
Yes! We are always looking for new Supervising Clinicians, Behavior Technicians, and select corporate roles to join our ever growing team. To browse open opportunities in your area, click here.
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.
What's the difference between a Behavior Technician and a Registered Behavior Technician?
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. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) are Behavior Technicians who have undergone specific training to obtain an RBT certification, which certifies them in ABA Therapy.
Is ABA therapy covered by insurance?
Most insurances cover ABA therapy, however coverage will vary by payer. Reach out to your provider to determine what is covered under your plan. While Centria accepts most insurance policies, acceptance varies by state. Please contact us at info@centriahealthcare.com to learn if your insurance is accepted.
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