Therapy & Services

Get a referral to determine a diagnosis

Every child’s journey is different, and so is their development. If you’re noticing unique patterns in how your child communicates, interacts, or plays, talking with your pediatrician is a great place to start.

Behaviors or challenges your child experiences may or may not be related to autism, but there is one thing in which all experts agree: early identification is key. After age 6, children are less likely to close developmental gaps, so early identification opens the door to services and support that can make a big difference in a child’s growth and confidence.

There’s no need to wait and wonder. If your pediatrician agrees a closer look could be helpful, ask for a referral for autism testing at Hopebridge. Once we receive it, we’ll follow up within 48 business hours to get things started. Hopebridge provides some of the quickest answers in the area, with trusted, insurance-recognized autism evaluations in as little as 45 days.

Whether you’re ready to schedule an appointment or simply want to learn more about the process, we’re here for you. Visit our Contact page to connect with a member of our team and take the next step with confidence.

Craft a custom plan of care

We don’t treat a diagnosis. We support your child. An autism evaluation helps guide the direction of care, but it’s only the beginning of a journey that’s built uniquely for your child.

Because no two children are the same, we create a personalized plan of care designed to help your child grow, connect and reach meaningful milestones. Each family is supported by a dedicated team of passionate clinicians who work together to meet your child’s individual needs.

Many children benefit from a combination of therapies like applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech, feeding and occupational therapy. We begin with thorough evaluations to better understand your child’s skills, communication style and developmental needs. Goals may be to strengthen everyday routines, build language skills or get ready for preschool in the long term, we use this insight to create a clear and compassionate path forward.

With multiple coordinated therapies and natural environmental possibilities under one roof, our team collaborates to develop the most effective mix within a Hopebridge Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) for each family.

Every child’s plan is guided by their individual evaluation results, including ow often therapy sessions should take place. For many children, a consistent schedule – typically 5 days a week – leads to the most meaningful growth. Research shows that early, comprehensive intensive ABA therapy of 26 to 40 hours per week leads to the largest increase in skills with long-lasting benefits.

Our goal is to give your child the best possible start, and that begins with a plan tailored just for them.

Receive insurance authorization for autism therapy

Hopebridge accepts a number of participating insurance providers to make therapy accessible for the widest possible range of families. Because therapy coverage varies by plan, our full-service insurance team provides support from start to finish to make sure your child is eligible for applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). For an up-to-date list of participating payers by state, click here.

During the appointment, the psychologist may use a combination of standardized measures to determine if the criteria for an autism diagnosis, as defined by the DSM-5, is met. The assessments may vary slightly from child to child, depending on a few different factors related to the individual being evaluated, such as speech level and age, as well as whether the appointment is held face-to-face or virtually. Our Care and Benefits Team can work with you to contact your child’s insurance company to obtain the proper approval for an evaluation.

After the evaluation is completed and the family receives the diagnostic report, our client advocates work directly with your insurance company to obtain authorization for therapy services. Once your child’s physician approves the plan, a Care and Benefits Coordinator can help dissect your coverage to determine the final cost.

Start the therapy your child needs to thrive

Once the logistics are cleared, that’s when the fun begins. With our Hopebridge 360 Care model, your child will receive one-on-one therapy through ABA’s evidence-based practices, often in tandem with other crucial services, like occupational and speech therapies.*

All ABA programs are developed and overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), but directed by caregiver input on goals. For instance, want to prepare your child for school or learn to socialize with other children? We have the experience, time and resources to start small and build our way up.

Our therapists begin with one-on-one skills, then can slowly work up to parallel play, interactive play and even mock classroom-like settings. Your child will have access to on-site clinical support, which ensures safe responses to prevent, minimize and manage behavioral challenges. Family guidance is also a crucial part of our therapy services.

Once objectives are set and plans are implemented, progress is monitored and programmatic changes are determined with help from data evaluation. Your child’s goals and progress are routinely reviewed with you, as we know caregivers play a key role in their child’s success.

Receive support through the transition process

These kiddos hold special places in our hearts forever, but it is never our intent to keep them in our centers forever. Our happiest days are those in which our little learners transition out of their programs and onto new adventures.

Just like the children we work with, transitions fall along a broad spectrum, but studies show that autistic children who receive ABA therapy for 30+ hours weekly are significantly more prepared for general education than their peers who receive other types of treatment.

Transitions are goal-driven and timelines vary. Gaining independence and catching up on developmentally age-appropriate skills are usually strong signs kids are ready to grow into the next phase. For some, this means evolving from full time to part time therapy in the center. For others, it’s progressing into preschool, kindergarten or another grade level, either in special education or regular education classrooms.

No matter which route they take, our clinicians not only help them get there, but support families throughout the transition process. Regular check-ins with families, schools and physicians are available to ensure long-term success. It’s all part of 360 Care.

The journey doesn’t end here. This is just the beginning of a beautiful life, here at Hopebridge, home and beyond.