top of page
Still have questions about our services? Get in Touch
Bright Horizons FAQ
-
What is ABA Therapy?ABA stands for "Applied Behavior Analysis." It's a therapy that dives deep into understanding behaviors: why they change, how surroundings influence them, and how learning happens. The main aim of ABA, especially for those with autism, is to encourage good behaviors and lessen the ones that might hold someone back from learning. Our goal is to boost behaviors that matter in day-to-day life and enrich a person's life quality. We help by teaching essential knowledge, skills, and ways to apply them. Some areas we focus on are: Training for families Building social skills Enhancing communication Teaching toilet use Assisting with eating habits Training for jobs and tasks Teaching everyday living skills Direct teaching methods
-
How Can I Tell if ABA Therapy is Suitable for My Child?Ultimately, the best person to decide if ABA therapy is a good fit for your child is you. We advise discussing this with your child’s main doctor and any other experts involved in their care or education. It's important to recognize that ABA is rooted in solid evidence and has been researched for many years. Top institutions like the US Surgeon General, the American Psychological Association, and Autism Speaks fully support ABA. As ABA addresses a wide range of skills, it's essential to share what you feel should be the primary focus, both at the start and as therapy progresses.
-
What is an ABA Assessment?An ABA assessment isn't about diagnosing. It's a period where we observe and interact with your child to understand their specific needs. Part of this assessment involves a detailed chat with parents to get insights about your child’s behaviors - at home, school, or elsewhere. After you sign up and when there's a spot available, this assessment is set up. When it's done, our team puts together a therapy plan tailored for your child, which you'll get to review. We also redo these assessments (usually every six months) to tweak the plan as your child grows and achieves therapy milestones.
-
How Often is Therapy Required for My Child?ABA therapy works best when it's intensive. Typically, it's advised for kids to have between 10 to 40 hours of therapy per week, depending on their individual needs. It's rare for under 10 hours to be effective. After assessing your child, our clinical team will suggest the right number of hours tailored for them.
-
Is there an age limit for our ABA therapy?We usually provide ABA therapy for children aged 18 months to 21 years. Medicaid's coverage for ABA ends at age 21, and most main insurance companies stop covering between ages 18 to 21.
-
Do You Offer Family Training?Yes, we do. Our program at Bright Horizons includes a weekly session for families. During this time, families meet with the BCBA to learn about interventions, review the child's progress, and address any concerns or additional behavioral topics. We believe that working closely with families enhances the effectiveness of the therapy.
-
How Can I Ensure the Therapist is a Good Fit for My Child?All our BCBAs at Bright Horizons are intensively trained and participate in regular clinical meetings. Our collaborative approach positions us at the forefront of ABA services. We always aim to pair therapists and clients based on skills and personality compatibility. If you have particular preferences for a therapist, please mention them during the clinical consultation and before services begin, so we can consider your needs while introducing your family to our team.
-
Where Does ABA Therapy Take Place?Currently, we provide home-based ABA therapy services. We'll collaborate with you to ensure the setting aligns with your child’s developmental and therapeutic needs. Our home-based services are available for families in the Montgomery County area. Please reach out to us directly to check if we offer home-based services in your community. Starting therapy in a familiar environment like home can be beneficial for many children, setting a comfortable foundation for their therapeutic journey.
-
What is an ABA Assessment?An ABA assessment focuses on understanding a child's unique needs rather than diagnosing them. This process includes observing the child and conducting an in-depth interview with the parents to gain insights into the child's behavior at home, school, and other settings. After completing the registration, an assessment is scheduled when therapy slots become available. Following the assessment, Bright Horizons staff develops a treatment plan tailored for the child. This plan is then shared with the family for approval. Regular ABA assessments (usually every six months) ensure the therapy program remains relevant as the child progresses and achieves their therapy objectives.
-
How Do You Get Started with Therapy?Here's a simple step-by-step guide: Chat with our Admissions team. Check if your insurance covers ABA. If you want, meet with our BCBA for a talk. Get a 'go-ahead' from your insurance for the first check-up. Book and schedule the Assessment for your child. Show the results to your insurance to make sure they'll cover ongoing sessions. Pick a date to start therapy. There are a few steps, so starting early is a good idea. Don't worry; we're here to help you along the way!
-
Where Can My Child Get a Diagnosis?Start with your insurance company; they can guide you on where and how to get an autism assessment that's covered. Your child's pediatrician is another good person to ask about getting a diagnosis. Many specialists, like certain psychologists, brain doctors (neurologists), and child development experts, can diagnose autism. Once your child has an autism diagnosis, you can reach out to start ABA therapy. Starting early can really help boost your child's growth and learning.
-
How Do We Figure Out Availability for Your Child? And How Long is the Wait?We look at three main things to check availability: When your family and child are free. Where to service your child. How many hours of therapy are right for your child. After we know this, we can see if we have a spot for your child right away. We check our schedules every week and do our best to fit in all appointments. If you have questions about where we are, just reach out!
-
Which Insurance Plans Do You Accept? Do You Work with Medicaid?We work with many insurance companies. In some places, we also accept Medicaid. But, what we accept can be different depending on the state. To know for sure about your insurance and ABA therapy coverage, it's best to chat with our Admissions team.
-
How Much Does Therapy Cost? What Will I Need to Pay?We can help by making a call to your insurance company to see what benefits they offer and get the proper authorizations for services. We'll see if your child's plan covers ABA therapy. If it does, we'll let you know an estimate of any copays, deductibles, and the max amount you might pay based on your insurance details. But for a clear picture, it's a good idea to talk directly with your insurance. If your plan doesn't cover ABA, you might want to think about a plan that does. If not, you can also pay on your own. We can only charge insurance if a doctor says your child needs ABA for medical reasons. If you want to pay without using insurance, our admissions team will tell you the costs.
Our team is made up of warm, caring Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who are not just experts in ABA therapy but are also committed to making a real difference in your family's life. We keep our skills sharp with ongoing training so we're always up to date with the best ways to support you.
​
At Bright Horizons ABA, we believe therapy should be within everyone's reach, both practically and financially. That's why we accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible scheduling, so we can work together in a way that fits your life.
​
If you're on the search for a clinic that combines top-notch ABA therapy with genuine compassion, we'd love for you to reach out. Contact us to chat about our services and to set up a time to meet one of our friendly BCBAs.
bottom of page