Empowering children to reach new heights since 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
A: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, interaction, and behavioral or sensory patterns. Each child with ASD is unique — symptoms and strengths vary widely, which is why personalized care is essential.
Q: Do you offer diagnostic services and is there an age limit?
A: Yes, we offer diagnostic services to both children and adults. We do not have an upper age-limit on diagnostic services.
Q: What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and how does it help?
A: ABA is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses principles of learning and behavior to help children with autism build meaningful skills — communication, social interaction, self-care, daily living, adaptive behaviors — and reduce behaviors that interfere with learning or safety.
Q: Is ABA therapy effective?
A: Yes — decades of research support ABA as an effective therapy for many children with autism. When tailored to a child’s needs, ABA can lead to significant gains in communication, social skills, independence, and overall quality of life.
Q: At what age can my child start therapy?
A: As soon as they have a diagnosis! Early intervention is often ideal. Many children begin receiving services as toddlers or preschool-age, though ABA and other supports can benefit children at different developmental stages depending on their needs.
Q: What therapies and services do you offer?
A: At Autism Center of Illinois, we offer individualized ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. We also offer caregiver training services and community education.
Q: How is an ABA therapy program developed and tailored to my child?
A: First, a qualified clinician (e.g., a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA) conducts an assessment to identify strengths, challenges, and needs. Based on that evaluation, we build a personalized plan — goals, session frequency, behavior supports, skill building — that evolves as your child grows and progresses. This individualized approach is central to effective therapy.
Q: Can parents/caregivers be involved in therapy?
A: Absolutely. Parents and caregivers are essential partners. We encourage regular family guidance or training sessions so you understand the strategies used in therapy and can reinforce learning at home, during daily routines, and across environments.
Q: How many therapy hours per week does a child typically need?
A: It depends heavily on your child’s individual needs, goals, and where they are in their development. Many children receive between 10 to 40 hours of therapy per week.
Q: Why such a wide range of treatment intensity (10–40 hours)?
A: Because not all children need the same level of support. Some may only need a few hours a week focused on specific skills, while others—especially younger children or those with more extensive needs — may benefit from more intensive therapy to maximize learning and progress. The plan is always individualized.
Q: Will the number of hours stay the same over time?
A: Not necessarily. Therapy hours will be regularly reviewed by your child’s BCBA based on progress, needs, and shifting goals. As skills develop, hours may decrease or shift in focus accordingly.
Q: What should we expect during therapy sessions?
A: Sessions will vary based on your child’s individualized plan. Generally they may include structured skill-building, behavior support, communication/interaction exercises — combining learning and play to make therapy engaging and meaningful. Progress is tracked and goals are regularly reviewed.
Q: Do you have an age limit for services?
A: We do not have an age limit for services. Sometimes insurance will place restrictions on coverage for medically necessary services. For instance, Illinois Medicaid terminates ABA coverage for individuals after age 21. Most other insurances do not have these restrictions.
Q: Do we need a formal diagnosis before starting therapy?
A: In many cases, yes — especially for insurance or funding purposes. Our intake team can guide you through the evaluation/diagnostic process, or coordinate with your child’s healthcare provider to ensure we have the necessary documentation.
Q: How do we enroll in services at Autism Center of Illinois?
A: Typically, the steps are: fill out our intake form and select desired services → complete initial assessment(s) with your treatment team → design a personalized therapy plan that works for your family → coordinate sessions and begin therapy. We’ll work with you to make this process as smooth as possible.
Q: What if my child doesn’t yet have a diagnosis but I’m concerned about development?
A: Fill out this intake form instead and we can schedule a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Q: What does “RBT” stand for and who is an RBT?
A: RBT stands for Registered Behavior Technician. An RBT is a paraprofessional certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) who provides direct, one-on-one therapy services — working under the close supervision of a more highly-qualified clinician.
Q: What does an RBT do at Autism Center of Illinois?
A: RBTs implement the individualized behavior-analytic plans designed by a supervising clinician. They work directly with your child during sessions — teaching new skills (communication, daily living, social, etc.), supporting adaptive behaviors, collecting progress data, and delivering therapy in clinic, home, or community settings as assigned.
Q: What qualifications does an RBT have?
A: To become an RBT, a person completes a standard 40-hour training course, passes a competency assessment, and then must work under continuous supervision from a BCBA or other qualified supervisor.
Q: What does “BCBA” stand for and who is a BCBA?
A: BCBA stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst. A BCBA is a certified clinician who has advanced training in behavior analysis and is qualified to assess needs, develop individualized treatment plans, oversee therapy programs, and supervise RBTs or other therapists.
Q: What role does a BCBA play at Autism Center of Illinois?
A: At our center, a BCBA (or similarly qualified behavior-analytic professional) leads intake assessments, crafts the individualized therapy plan for your child, reviews progress regularly, adjusts goals as needed, and supervises RBTs or assistants delivering day-to-day therapy. In short — the BCBA is responsible for overseeing the “big picture” of your child’s therapy and ensuring it aligns with best-practice behavior-analytic standards.
Q: What does “SLP” stand for?
A: SLP stands for Speech-Language Pathologist.
Q: What does an SLP do?
A: A speech-language pathologist diagnoses and treats difficulties related to speech, language, communication, and — when relevant — feeding or swallowing.
Q: How can an SLP help a child at Autism Center of Illinois?
A: For children on the autism spectrum, an SLP can help with: articulation (how sounds are formed), expressive and receptive language (speaking and understanding), social/pragmatic communication (interacting, using language in context), and — where needed — safe swallowing or feeding support.
Q: When might my child see an SLP?
A: If your child has delayed speech, limited verbal communication, difficulty understanding or using language, struggles with social communication, or has feeding/swallowing challenges — an SLP may be recommended as part of their therapy plan.
Q: What does “OT” stand for?
A: OT stands for Occupational Therapist.
Q: What does an OT do?
A: Occupational therapy is focused on helping individuals gain or improve the skills needed for everyday living — “occupations” such as self-care, play, school tasks, fine-motor tasks, sensory regulation, daily routines, and more.
Q: How can an OT help a child at Autism Center of Illinois?
A: For children with autism, an OT may support fine motor skills (e.g. writing, grasping objects), sensory processing (e.g. coping with sensory overload, self-regulation), daily-living skills (dressing, eating, hygiene), coordination, play skills, and adapting the environment or routines to support independence and comfort.
Q: When might my child see an OT?
A: If your child struggles with daily tasks, sensory regulation, fine or gross motor coordination, self-care, or participation in school or play — then OT may be recommended as part of a comprehensive support plan.
Q: What does “LCP” stand for at Autism Center of Illinois?
A: In our center, “LCP” refers to a Licensed Clinical Professional — a therapist with advanced credentials beyond a paraprofessional, qualified to provide specialized support, assessments, therapy, or supervision, depending on licensure.
Q: What role does an LCP play?
A: An LCP can: conduct assessments, diagnose and evaluate needs, coordinate with other therapists (SLP, OT, BCBA, etc.), and provide recommendations for additional services.
Q: Will ABA therapy “cure” autism or make my child “normal”?
A: We get this question a lot. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. The goal of ABA (and other supports) is not to “cure” autism or eliminate autistic traits — but to help your child build skills, increase independence, communicate needs, and improve quality of life in ways meaningful to your family.
Q: Does Autism Center of Illinois target stimming for behavioral reduction?
A: At the Autism Center of Illinois, we recognize that some stimming behaviors are natural, functional ways for a child to soothe, self-regulate, or manage sensory/emotional input. Eliminating harmless stims solely for social conformity does not meet our requirements for socially significant improvements in a person's life. If a child’s stimming is poses safety concerns or is something a child has voiced they would like to work on themselves, our clinicians may address it.
Q: How soon will we see progress?
A: Every child is different. While some families begin to notice meaningful improvements in a few months, therapy is a gradual process. We track data and review goals regularly to adjust the plan as needed. Patience, consistency, and parent involvement help maximize outcomes.
Q: Will therapy replace school or interfere with schooling?
A: No — therapy is designed to support your child’s development, not replace education. In fact, ABA helps build social, communication, and daily living skills that support school readiness and success. Therapy scheduling and coordination is done with family and, when appropriate, school in mind.
Q: What if I don’t have insurance or my plan doesn’t cover services?
A: We understand — and we’ll work with you. Our intake/benefits coordinator can review your insurance, help determine eligibility, and explore options (such as those on our Financial Resources page) to make services accessible.
Q: How can I sign up?
A: Fill out our intake form to get started!
Q: Can we schedule a tour or meet the therapy team before enrolling?
A: Yes — we welcome prospective families to tour our center, meet clinicians, and understand our approach before committing. Contact us to arrange a visit.
Q: What if my question isn’t answered here?
A: No problem! Just reach out — we’re happy to answer any additional questions, provide resources, or guide you through the enrollment process.