ABA Therapy for Children with Autism.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most-studied, evidence-based therapy for autism spectrum disorder. In plain terms, ABA looks closely at the connection between what is happening in a child’s environment and how they respond - then uses that understanding to teach new skills (communication, social interaction, daily living) and reduce behaviors that get in the way of learning.

At Clementine, that translates into individualized treatment plans, sessions that look like guided play more than a classroom, and steady caregiver involvement at every step.

Most families find ABA helpful when a child has a diagnosis on the autism spectrum and is struggling with one or more of the following: limited communication, big emotional reactions to small changes, social skills that have not developed alongside peers, or daily-living tasks that still need a parent’s full attention.

The honest answer: you do not have to know for sure. A free phone consultation will tell you whether ABA is a fit, and if it is not, we will help you find the kind of care that is.

Clementine serves children typically from about 18 months through their teenage years. Early intervention (ages 2-6) is where Applied Behavior Analysis tends to produce the biggest measurable gains, but meaningful progress is possible at any age - we tailor goals and intensity to the developmental stage.

Four steps, about four weeks from your first call to your first session. The short version:

1. 01
   Tell us about your child A 10-15 minute phone conversation with our intake team.
2. 02
   Insurance benefits check We confirm what your plan covers - at no cost to you.
3. 03
   Initial assessment Your clinician spends real time observing and shaping the plan.
4. 04
   Therapy begins Sessions start, on the schedule and setting that fit your family.

See the full path in our Getting Started section →

Yes. Clementine is in-network with most major commercial health plans and state Medicaid programs - Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Carelon, and more depending on your state. We handle the benefits verification, prior authorization, and claim work so you are not the one calling your insurer.

Talk to us anyway. Many plans we are not formally in-network with still cover ABA therapy through out-of-network benefits, single-case agreements, or a state-specific Medicaid waiver. Our intake team will run a free benefits check and tell you what your plan actually pays before any therapy starts.

Always. Before your first session is scheduled, you will receive a summary of your insurance benefits - your copay or coinsurance per session, your deductible status, and any session caps. No surprise bills, no mid-month invoice shocks. If your coverage changes during the year, we tell you the day we find out.

Tell us. Depending on your state and plan, we can often help families access state Medicaid programs, single-case agreements at in-network rates, payment plans, or community funding sources. We are a small practice, but we will help you find a path before we let cost be the reason you walk away.

Therapy at Clementine looks more like structured, joyful play than a classroom. A session usually runs two to three hours and is delivered one-on-one by a member of your care team. Goals are baked into activities your child already enjoys - building, drawing, pretend play, snack time, transitions - so the learning is embedded in real life rather than separated from it. Data is collected throughout, so we know what is working week to week.

Wherever it helps your child most. Clementine delivers care in three primary settings: in-home, where new skills are embedded into the routines you already run; center-based, in a sensory-considered Clementine clinic with peer interaction; and school-based, where we partner with classrooms and after-school programs. Many families use a mix - and we adjust as your child grows.

It depends on your child’s needs and your family’s life. Comprehensive programs run anywhere from 20 to 40 hours per week and are typical for early intervention with significant developmental delays. Focused programs run 5 to 15 hours per week and target specific skill goals for older children or families that need flexibility. Your clinician will recommend a starting point during the initial assessment - and adjust as progress comes.

Continuously. Every session generates behavioral data tied to your child’s specific goals. Every month, you sit down with your care team to review the graphs, hear the stories, retire mastered goals, and shape what comes next. Progress is never a mystery, and you will know whether something is working long before a quarterly review.

Yes - every Clementine plan includes caregiver coaching as a core ingredient. Sessions are not closed-door. You will see the strategies your team is using, learn how to apply them at home, and have a regular forum to ask questions. The goal is for the wins your child makes in session to travel back into bedtime, mealtime, and everywhere in between.

Life happens. We work with families on schedule changes, vacations, and illness with as much flexibility as our team’s schedule allows. Last-minute cancellations are handled case-by-case - we would rather you tell us than skip a session for a reason we could have helped with.

Always, with your permission. Strong outcomes in ABA come from a child’s whole team rowing in the same direction. We routinely share progress with pediatricians, collaborate with speech and occupational therapists, and align goals with IEP or 504 teams at school. Care coordination is part of the work, not an extra.

Some changes show up in the first month - usually around routines, transitions, or specific words. Bigger developmental milestones (independent dressing, sustained peer play, conversational language) take longer, and the timeline depends on your child’s profile and the hours of therapy. Your care team will share a realistic, child-specific picture during your initial assessment so you know what to expect, not just what to hope for.