Question 1

What is ABA therapy?

Accepted Answer

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is an evidence-based therapy that targets the core symptoms of autism. It helps children build practical skills that support communication, social connection, emotional regulation, and independence in daily life. Therapy is individualized to each child and guided by ongoing assessment and data collection. Skills are taught and practiced in real-life environments to reduce barriers to learning and promote meaningful, long-term progress and quality of life.

Question 2

Who can receive services?

Accepted Answer

We provide services for individuals ages 1–21 on the autism spectrum, honoring diverse abilities, strengths, and individualized needs. Families seeking compassionate, ethical, and trauma-informed care are welcome. Caregiver support is also available statewide for families on waitlists for direct therapy, or outside of our direct service area.

Question 3

How does therapy look in real life?

Accepted Answer

ABA happens where children live, learn, and play. Our clinicians:

Follow the child’s lead while teaching functional skills
Integrate learning into daily routines, play, and real-life activities
Prioritize communication, emotional regulation, and meaningful skill-building over punishment
Respect sensory needs and self-regulation behaviors (like stimming)

Therapy is designed to feel engaging, safe, and fun—tailored to each child’s interests, strengths, and routines.

Question 4

How do caregiver support meetings work?

Accepted Answer

Caregiver support is a cornerstone of our approach. Families meet weekly with a BCBA or Autism Specialist via telehealth or in-person to:

Learn strategies tailored to their child’s interests and daily routines
Troubleshoot challenges in home, school, and community settings
Learn foundational ABA skills and how to apply them
Collaborate with school staff and other related service professionals

Support is available for families receiving direct therapy or on waitlists.

[Learn About Caregiver Support]

Question 5

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Starting ABA at Ad Astra MHK is simple:

Schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to receive an overview of our service model and ask questions
Complete new patient paperwork
Attend an intake meeting and schedule the evaluation
Begin individualized therapy once the plan is authorized by insurance

We’ll guide you every step of the way to ensure therapy feels right for your child and family.

[Starting Services]

[Schedule Free Consultation]

Question 6

Does my child need an autism diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

An autism diagnosis is required for insurance-funded services.

Private pay may be an option for families seeking support without a diagnosis. We’re happy to discuss this during a consultation.

Question 7

How much therapy will my child receive?

Accepted Answer

The amount of therapy is determined by the evaluation and individualized based on medical necessity, with consideration of your child's needs, goals, and tolerance. Most children receive an average of 15-30 hours per week of Direct Therapy with a Behavior Technician (RBT/BT). Sessions are typically scheduled in consistent blocks of time. Therapy also includes weekly Supervision or Protocol Modification from a BCBA/AS during direct sessions and weekly caregiver support meetings.

Question 8

What types of skills does ABA target?

Accepted Answer

Goals are personalized to each child and focus on skills that improve daily life across five areas:

Communication & Social Interaction
Functional communication (initiating requests, labeling, commenting)
Social engagement skills (greetings, turn‑taking, shared attention)
Understanding nonverbal cues (gestures, eye gaze in context)
Play with peers (Parallel, interactive, and cooperative: side-by-side play, building together, role-playing)

Emotional & Behavioral Regulation
Emotional regulation strategies (calm‑down routines, self‑soothing)
Tolerance of change and transitions (flexibility with routines)
Reduction of interfering behaviors that limit learning or safety

Adaptive & Daily Functioning
Adaptive self‑care skills (independent routines tied to daily demands)
Following multi‑step functional directions
Attending and task engagement during meaningful activities
Play and interaction skills (parallel/interactive play, cooperative play)

Generalization & Functional Independence
Skills across environments (home, school, community)
Self‑advocacy and functional problem‑solving
Executive functioning supports (sequencing tasks, planning supported routines)

All goals are individualized and focused on promoting independence, confidence, and connection.

Question 9

How is your approach different from other ABA programs?

Accepted Answer

At Ad Astra MHK, we believe therapy works best when children feel safe, respected, and engaged. We focus on:

Tailoring therapy to each child’s interests, strengths, and routines
Teaching skills through connection, play, and real-life activities
Collaborating closely with families and other professionals
Prioritizing functional communication and regulation over compliance or punishment

[About Us]

Question 10

What if my child is on a waitlist?

Accepted Answer

Families on waitlists can start caregiver support via telehealth. This ensures your child continues learning and growing while waiting for direct therapy.

[Join Caregiver Support]

Question 11

How do you ensure therapy is ethical and safe?

Accepted Answer

Your child’s dignity and emotional safety are our top priorities. To ensure ethical, effective care:

All cases are reviewed by multiple supervisors
Staff are trained in trauma-informed, assent-based practices
We do not use punishment, forced prompting, or compliance-based methods unless immediate safety is a concern
Caregivers can observe sessions and are consistently informed of teaching and behavior response protocols
Therapy focuses on teaching meaningful skills while maintaining trust, autonomy, and respect

Question 12

How do you make therapy engaging and fun?

Accepted Answer

We believe children learn best when therapy connects to their interests. Our clinicians integrate favorite activities, games, and routines into skill-building sessions. This makes learning natural, enjoyable, and motivating.

Question 13

How can I contact you with questions or to start services?

Accepted Answer

You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation via Google Meet, or contact our team by phone, email, or fax. We’ll answer your questions and help you decide what is right for your family.