This varies based on each child’s needs. At Impact Autism we will complete a comprehensive assessment and write an individualized treatment plan, that adapts with your child, to address what will help your child and your family live your best lives!

Yes! We accept most medicaid and commercial insurances. We can also accept private pay and local county funding called CSA (Comprehensive Services Act) funding.

There are multiple levels of staff. According to the Behavior Analysis Certification Board those levels are as follows:

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

A paraprofessional in behavior analysis who practices under the close, ongoing supervision of a BCBA, BCaBA, or FL-CBA.

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)

An undergraduate-level professional in behavior analysis who practices under the supervision of a BCBA or FL-CBA.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

A graduate-level professional in behavior analysis who is able to practice independently and provide supervision for BCaBAs and RBTs.

When a staff member joins the team at Impact and they do not have one of the certifications listed above we immediately help them to identify and obtain the appropriate credential for them.

In addition, all Board Certified staff, in Virginia, are licensed by the Virginia Department of Medical Professions.

While some children may be diagnosed with Autism alone, it is very common for children with autism to have other coexisting diagnoses. This is one of the many reasons why every child with autism is so different and their treatment needs to reflect their different needs. Other common diagnoses linked with Autism are the following: 1) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 2) Sleep Intermittent Disorder, 3.) Sensory Processing Disorder 4.) Anxiety Disorders, 5.) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, 6.) Epilepsy 7.) Feeding Issues.

ABA therapy, Occupational therapy, and Speech therapy are all pretty standard for meeting the needs of a child with autism. Specialized therapies, like feeding therapy, may be a need for some children.

Most children are diagnosed with autism in early childhood between the ages of 2-6, with some getting diagnosed as early as 18 months. The CDC does show a lag between when parents notice concerns and when they are able to get a full comprehensive evaluation. Signs of autism include not maintaining good eye contact, not being responsive to their name, poor motor skills, delay in speech, intense interests, and sensory sensitivities (food, clothing, noises, stimulus). Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning every child will have a varying degree and intensity of symptoms. One child may show almost every symptom and another may show only a few.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is “the practice of applying the psychological principles of learning theory in a systematic way to modify behavior. The practice is used most extensively in special education and the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)... ABA is widely recognized as the only scientifically valid therapy available for treating behavioral issues associated with ASD”.

A BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. This is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. A BCBA may supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and other professionals who implement behavior interventions. (When the term "behavior" is used in the ABA world, it is referring to ALL behavior and actions, not "misbehavior.")

Echolalia is when a child or adult with autism (or other conditions) repeats sounds, words, or vocalizations. This may include a favorite movie quote, phrase, question, or verbal command.

Stimming is often used as self-regulating behaviors that involve repetitive motions, sounds, actions and/or thoughts. Some reasons people might stim are they need/want to self-soothe, to self-stimulate, to express emotions, to communicate, and/or to take in/process/store/recall information. It is important to note that everyone has their own unique stims (leg bouncing under a table, pen clicking, etc.) it is not just an "autism thing." The differences are the extent, reasons and impact stimming can have on an autistic individual. Stimming is not a bad thing; and can be healthy.