Early Intervention for Autism

On Target ABA offers ASD early intervention through applied behavior analysis for children ages 2 to 6, the optimal age for little minds to learn new skills. Starting ABA early can give children more opportunities to build important skills during a key stage of development.

Working With Many Insurance Plans for ASD Early Intervention

We never want cost or paperwork to stand between your child and the support they need. Early intervention ABA is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicaid in both Ohio and Utah. Our team will verify your coverage before we begin.

Is Early Intervention ABA Right for Your Child?

If you find yourself nodding along with the list below, trust your instinct. Nobody knows your child like you do.
If your child is aged 2-6 years and displays any of these behaviors, early intervention ABA may be beneficial.

Limited Eye Contact

Your child doesn’t meet your gaze during moments of connection. It’s often the earliest sign parents pick up on.

Speech Delay

Your child isn’t using words at the expected age or has lost words they used. They may communicate nonverbally or not at all.

Repetitive Movements

Movements such as hand flapping or rocking that your child does over and over, often when they’re excited or overwhelmed.

Aggressive Behaviors

Your child may hurt themselves or others when frustrated or overwhelmed. These behaviors are usually a form of communication.

Lining up Objects

Your child frequently lines up or arranges objects in particular patterns. This may show up with toys, food, shoes, or books.

Strong Reaction to Sounds or Textures

Your child covers their ears to muffle a regular noise or refuses certain fabrics and foods because of their sensory impact.

Why Is Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders So Important?

Early intervention is so important because the first few years of a child’s life are when their brain develops most rapidly.

By catching ASD early and being proactive with early intervention, you’re setting your child up to achieve their personal best. Early intervention can support development in areas such as communication, learning, behavior, and daily living skills.

of your child’s brain develops before age 5

the age at which autism can be reliably diagnosed

Inside On Target’s Early Intervention Autism Treatment Program

Our early intervention program helps your child build practical life skills, allowing them to fulfill their potential as they grow.

Personalized Plans

Every plan starts with a thorough assessment by one of our BCBAs, who gets to know your child’s strengths, challenges, and motivations. From there, we build a treatment plan with personalized goals, and we review and adjust it as they progress.

Play-Based Therapy

Our therapists embed skill-building into play because young children learn best when they’re having fun. Sessions might look like playing a game, singing a song, or exploring the sensory gym, but every moment is guiding your child toward their goals.

Family Coaching

So much progress happens at home, during real life. Our team works closely with parents and caregivers, giving you strategies to carry over and use at home during everyday routines such as mealtime and bath time.

Foundational Skill Building

Early intervention focuses on essential skills that shape your child’s future, like communicating with others and managing daily tasks. These foundations set your child up for success as they get older.

Why Families Choose On Target’s Early Intervention ABA

Faster Access to Early Intervention Services

Early intervention is most effective when children begin as soon as possible. On Target ABA helps families begin services sooner, without the extended wait times many other providers have.

Smaller Caseloads for More Individual Attention

Our BCBAs work with smaller caseloads than most providers, allowing them to closely monitor progress. With fewer children under their care, our BCBAs get to know your child and set or adjust goals for your little tot.

Social Interaction With Other Kiddos

Children build skills through one-on-one support while also learning alongside other kids throughout the day. From group activities to everyday social interaction, the center environment creates constant opportunities for real-world learning and growth.

Specialty Center For Early Learning

Our fun center with a gym and real-life play stations gives young children daily opportunities to practice communication, essential behaviors, and play skills in a bright and spacious environment designed specifically for little cuties.

Growing Early Support One Child at a Time

15+

insurances accepted

5

therapy settings

1 : 1

support in every session

How to Begin ASD Early Intervention, Step by Step

Start the conversation

  1. Fill out a quick intake form

Reach out by phone at 888-989-5011, or fill out our quick intake form. Our intake team will get back to you to discuss any concerns you have with your child and discuss the next steps.

Submit your child’s autism diagnosis or schedule an evaluation

  1. Let us handle insurance

If your child has an autism diagnosis, please send it to our office. If not, we offer evaluations with little to no waitlist. Don’t have the report? We can request it from the provider with a quick release-of-information (ROI) form.

Build the treatment plan

  1. Get an assessment + personalized plan

You’ll meet with a BCBA who takes the time to understand your child personally, then builds a treatment plan with goals shaped specifically around their needs and strengths.

Insurance verification

  1. Get an assessment + personalized plan

We take care of the back-and-forth with your insurance provider, submitting the treatment plan and securing approval so therapy can begin as soon as possible.

Begin early intervention ABA

  1. Start ABA therapy

Your child starts sessions in whichever setting fits them best: at our center, at home or at school/daycare. Our team teaches your little one real everyday skills through play-based learning.

School-based and daycare-based ABA in Ohio includes a few extra co-ordination steps. We’ll walk you through everything once you’re ready.

What ABA Early Intervention Success Looks Like

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Really kind and patient”

“This is a phenomenal ABA center. Everyone at the center is really kind and patient with my son. I have seen a huge improvement with him.”

— Andreana T., Google review

Autism Early Intervention Locations in Ohio and Utah

On Target ABA has centers across Ohio and Utah, each with dedicated therapy rooms and a full gym. Find an autism therapy clinic near you.

📍 Columbus Early Learners, Ohio

2740 Airport Dr, Suite 240, Columbus, OH 43219

Learn more about our Early Learners center →

📍 Cleveland (Mayfield), Ohio

767 Beta Dr, Suite C, Mayfield, OH 44143

Learn more about our Cleveland location →

📍 Columbus (Reynoldsburg), Ohio

4707 Hilton Corporate Dr, Columbus, OH 43232

Learn more about our Columbus location →

📍 Murray (Salt Lake City), Utah

5444 S Green St, Murray, UT

Learn more about our Murray location →

FAQs About Early Intervention for Autism

Looking into early intervention ABA therapy? You probably have questions, and we’re here to answer them. These are the ones we hear most often:

Early intervention ABA therapy is applied behavior analysis delivered to young children, typically between ages 2 and 6, the years when their brains are most adaptable to learning. It focuses on building foundational skills like communication and social engagement through play-based, individualized sessions.

Children can start ABA therapy as early as age 2, with the most impactful years being between 2 and 6. Starting earlier generally leads to stronger outcomes because young brains are more flexible. However, meaningful progress is still possible at any age.

Most children in early intervention ABA receive 20 to 40 hours of therapy per week, depending on their needs and goals. Your BCBA will recommend a specific number of hours after assessing your child. We’ll work with you to create a plan that fits into your schedule.

Yes, parents and caregivers are welcome to be involved, especially during early intervention when family participation makes a real difference to progress. Some families prefer to observe and learn the strategies our therapists use, while others step out to give their child focused time with the therapist. We’ll work with you to find the best fit for your family.

Not necessarily. Many children who receive intensive early intervention require fewer hours of therapy as they grow, and some transition out of ABA entirely once they’ve built strong foundational skills. The goal of early intervention is to set your child up for as much independence as possible.

Yes, most major insurance plans cover ABA therapy for children in Ohio and Utah with an autism diagnosis, including Medicaid. Ohio families may also be eligible for the Autism Scholarship Program which can cover center-based ABA at no out-of-pocket cost.

Let’s Talk

Looking for early intervention autism therapy for your child can feel daunting, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’ll walk you through what to do next.