Autism Spectrum Support, Education, and Training (ASSET) Program of YFSVA - Richmond

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy rooted in the science of learning and behavior. Using principles of ABA, children and adults can learn to improve their communication skills, social skills, and daily living skills while also addressing problematic or challenging behaviors. The primary goal of ABA therapy is to teach helpful skills that promote independence and reduce harmful behaviors. Here's our complete guide to everything you need to know about ABA therapy.

It's a big decision to make for your family! Applied behavior analysis (ABA) seeks to improve communication skills, introduce productive habits, and reduce harmful behaviors. Watch out for ABA providers who look to "cure" autism.

High quality ABA therapy does exist where the goal is not to “fix” children, make them appear “less autistic”, or change who they are. The goal is to help people learn all that they can so they can live to their potential while embracing their unique, individual personality traits. Here's our complete guide to start and end ABA therapy.

ABA is usually covered by insurance if you have an autism diagnosis. Autism is typically the only diagnosis insurance will authorize for ABA services since its benefits have been researched extensively.

Always check with your specific insurance plan to confirm that ABA is covered for your child’s diagnoses and that the provider you are seeking care at is in-network. Here's our complete guide to everything you need to know about ABA therapy.

Autism-friendly camps come in all shapes and sizes, making it easier for you to find the one that best suits your needs. An autism-friendly camp may come in the form of a day camp, meaning you drop your child off in the morning and pick them up later that afternoon, or as an overnight camp. The camp programs can range in length from a few days to a few weeks. The campers that attend autism-friendly camps may be autistic only or a mixture of neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. When it comes to support for your child, some camps offer 1:1 support while others have a higher camper-to-counselor ratio. 

When choosing the perfect camp for your child there are five key things you should keep in mind:

1. Interests: What does your child like to do? A sports camp probably wouldn’t be a good fit for your little bookworm. Finding the right summer camp that sparks your child’s excitement will aid in transitioning to and from camp, while also ensuring they enjoy their experience.
2. Professional Support: How much support does your child need? A traveling camp may not be best for your child who tends to elope. Some camps offer 1:1 support for your child, while others may have a higher camper-to-counselor ratio. When looking for a camp, pay close attention to those ratios to ensure there is adequate support for your child’s unique needs.
3. Specializations: Does the camp specialize in a specific area? If your child is nonverbal and the camp has excellent experience working with nonverbal children, it may be the perfect fit!
4. Responsiveness and Accommodations: Pay special attention to camps that meet with you one-on-one either by phone, video chat, or in person, to mark out a personalized support plan for your child. You can relax knowing they’re on top of things and making sure your child is properly supported. Don’t be afraid to ask tons of questions —a great camp will welcome them!
5. Location and Commitment: Not many people like a long commute. You know your child’s comfort level better than anyone else, so you’ll know what’s best for them, whether it’s a half-day camp, a full day, or an overnight experience.

Here are just a few of the benefits of summer camp for autistic children: 

Fostering Social Skills: Summer camp is an excellent opportunity for your child to learn about different social scenarios they may face as they grow up and provide them first-hand experience in how to approach those situations in a safe and supportive environment.

Maintaining Mental Stimulation: With school out during the summer months, a child with autism may be missing out on many of the core structures inherently provided by the classroom and their classmates. No matter what sort of camp you choose or your child’s unique needs and interests, summer camp is a great way to keep your child mentally stimulated and challenged. 

Friendship: Depending on the camp size, campers are often divided into smaller groups defined by age, interests, gender, and/or needs. These groups not only give your child the opportunity to closely identify with a group that they belong to but provide them an opportunity to learn how to make friends.

Independence and Confidence: Possibly the greatest benefit of summer camp for your child is the independence they gain. While the counselors are there for support and guidance, kids will have their own responsibilities and choices to make while at camp. Your child will be doing activities independently and actively learning what they like and don’t like. Having these sorts of experiences can boost a child’s self-confidence and nurture your child’s natural curiosity about the world. 

“Early Intervention” might be the provider’s way of describing services that they provide to babies or young children. However, it might also indicate that the provider is a vendor for your state’s publicly funded program. This means the services with this provider might be covered by your state! 

The first step in accessing these free services from your state is to get an evaluation. The evaluation will help the state determine what services your child qualifies for, if any. You can find your state’s local EI program by clicking here.

When you contact your local center, say “I have concerns about my child’s development and I would like to have my child evaluated to find out if they are eligible for early intervention services.” They will ask screening questions and arrange for an evaluation, which is provided for free.