ABA therapy for toddlers with autism: early intervention at home in Richmond

ABA therapy for toddlers is early intervention built on play. In-Home ABA Richmond works with children from 18 months old, at home, on the skills that unlock the rest: looking, pointing, copying, asking and taking turns.

Understanding ABA therapy: why starting early works

Most of a child's language and social learning happens before age five. A child may benefit from ABA well before school. When autistic children get support early, skills like pointing, babbling and copying can grow while they're still easy to shape.

ABA therapy can help children build communication and life skills at any age, and older children benefit too. But the principles of applied behavior analysis work especially well when the brain is changing fastest. That doesn't mean waiting is a failure. Children learn at every age. But if you're wondering whether to start now or wait, the research leans toward now.

Outside expert, not affiliated with In-Home ABA Richmond

“If the parent can start early, then we are more likely to change the child’s trajectory of learning for the rest of their life.”

Signs of autism that are worth a call

Every child develops at their own pace. These are common reasons parents look into ABA. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening at the 18-month and 24-month checkups, so ask your pediatrician.

• Few words, or words that went away
• Not pointing to show you things
• Not answering to their name most of the time
• Little back-and-forth babbling or smiling
• Lining up toys instead of playing with them
• Big meltdowns at small changes
• Not copying claps, waves or faces
• Walking on tiptoes, flapping, spinning a lot

The CDC keeps a free milestone checklist by age. If you're worried, you don't need to wait for a diagnosis to ask for help.

What ABA sessions look like for a young child with autism

A session at this age is short bursts of teaching inside play, built on positive reinforcement. The therapist sits on the floor, follows your child's interest and turns it into practice.

Your child loves	The therapist uses it to teach
Bubbles	Asking for "more" with a sound, sign or word
Peekaboo	Eye contact, waiting, laughing together
Cars and trains	Taking turns, "go" and "stop", naming colours
Snack time	Choosing between two foods, pointing, sitting at the table
Songs	Copying hand movements, filling in the missing word

This style is called natural environment teaching. Some short structured activities (discrete trial training) may be added as your child grows, so the child learns to practice skills across different settings. You can read about a full in-home session.

The ABA therapy program: goals that support your child

The board certified behavior analyst picks goals after watching your child play and talking with you. Every child has individual needs, so there's no one-size-fits-all approach. A first plan for a two-year-old might include:

1. Asking for a favourite thing, by pointing, signing or saying a word.
2. Responding to their name.
3. Copying simple actions with toys.
4. Following one-step directions like "give me".
5. Sitting for a short book or a snack.
6. Calming down with help after a change.

Goals are small on purpose. Each one is a step toward talking, playing with other kids and joining preschool. As your child learns, the plan adds social skills, emotional regulation and daily living skills, and helps reduce challenging behaviors before they grow.

Early intervention services: ABA and Virginia's Infant & Toddler Connection

Virginia's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under three is called the Infant & Toddler Connection. It's a different service from ABA. It offers things like developmental services, speech and occupational therapy, often at home, under federal Part C law.

Your child can get both. Many families in Richmond start with Infant & Toddler Connection and add ABA once an autism diagnosis arrives. Our guide to early intervention in Richmond lists the local offices for the city, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover.

Can ABA therapy and preschool work together?

Your local school division also runs Child Find, which evaluates young children for special education preschool. ABA and preschool can work together. Many young children do ABA in the afternoon after a morning program.

If your child has an IEP, we can share goals with the teacher so everyone teaches the same skills the same way.

Is ABA right for your child? Diagnosis, referral and next steps

Many parents ask whether their child needs to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before receiving ABA. To begin ABA through insurance, you usually need an autism diagnosis and a written order from a doctor. Medicaid plans ask for an authorization before therapy starts. We help with that paperwork. See how to get started and insurance and Medicaid.

Still waiting for an evaluation? That wait can be long in Richmond. Call us anyway. We can help you plan, and you can start Infant & Toddler Connection services without a diagnosis.

Questions about ABA therapy for toddlers with autism