Please find below the most frequently asked questions. Please contact us for more information!
Stepping Stone Kids Therapy offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the leading approach to improving the developmental deficiencies associated with Autism. ABA therapy is likely able to improve your child’s quality of life and help them reach their full potential. Endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General, ABA therapy focuses on human behavior and can increase desirable behavior and minimize unwanted behaviors.
ABA therapy will address the developmental deficiencies identified during an initial assessment of your child’s functioning across dozens of areas. With children on the autism spectrum, this often includes verbal communication areas, like the ability to converse with parents and peers, request items, and communicate emotions and needs. Nonverbal communication, like making gestures and understanding social cues, can also be developed.
ABA’s essential target areas include social skills, play skills, potty training, self-care skills (brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.), and day-to-day living skills (getting dressed, table manners, etc.).
ABA therapy is the gold standard for a clinically-validated and heavily researched approach to helping children with Autism.
Simply stated: the earlier, the better.
Clinical research has proven that children who start ABA therapy as early as possible (2 years old) make the most significant improvements in their areas of deficit. Children who received early intensive ABA therapy progressed to being virtually indistinguishable from their neurotypical peers.
Action Behavior supports using any evidence-based methods used for treatment within the scope of behavior analysis practice, but ABA therapy is our primary modality.
At Stepping Stone Kids Therapy, we view these providers as valuable resources, but not ones that necessarily provide the level of intensity necessary to impact a person diagnosed with Autism. Many Speech or Occupational therapy programs offer an hour or two of therapy per week as opposed to 40 hours per week with an intensive ABA program. Stepping Stone Kids Therapy offers Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy (2021), which allows for a comprehensive approach to therapy.
Many people associate occupation with work, but occupation is anything that keeps you busy during the day. Occupational therapy helps you develop the skills you need to live an active and fulfilling life. Occupational therapy focuses on a child’s fine motor skills, self-help skills, and sensory development. At Stepping Stone Kids Therapy, our therapists are trained to evaluate each child and develop a treatment plan to help them reach their goals.
Children are not required to have a diagnosis for treatment but need a formal diagnosis to receive insurance coverage.
Stepping Stone Kids Therapy Behavior employs Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), Board Certified Assistant Behavior (BCaBA), and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and any RBT’s who are completing their Bachelors and/or Masters Degrees in Behavior Analysis or a related discipline. BCBA’s are required to have a Masters Degree and exceed the required hours of supervision.
Every employee of Stepping Stone Kids Therapy must complete and pass a variety of background checks, assessments, a multi-stage interview process, and reference checks. Our therapists have a rigorous training process with Stepping Stone Kids Therapy to ensure that treatment is consistent and that ethical guidelines are being followed for the parent and client’s best outcome.
Treatment Center Clients: 18 months to 17 years old
Therapy is one-on-one: one child, one therapist.
Yes. Parental involvement in treatment is crucial for any client participating in any of our Early Intervention Centers. All parents with children in our program will attend recurring parent training meetings and complete several hours of online training videos.
In 2009, HB (House Bill) 192 was placed into effect, allowing families who have children over six and enrolled in school to access services (off-campus).
We speak at community events throughout the year for a wide array of community organizations. If you would like to request a presentation, please contact us.
This varies based on the number of hours your child is receiving. Some children see only a case manager (BCBA) and one other therapist. Others have up to 4 therapists, in addition to their case manager (BCBA).
Discrete trial instruction, also known as discrete trial teaching (DTT) or intensive teaching, is a teaching methodology typically used in ABA therapy. It is a highly structured method of teaching skills by breaking them down into smaller, teachable components. The ‘trial’ in discrete trial teaching comes from the systematic presentation of the task or directions, use of prompts when needed, and delivery of reinforcement. These trials are presented many times throughout a teaching session. This results in the learner having many opportunities to practice the new skill, which typically results in a more rapid acquisition. At which point, these skills are generalized to the natural environment.
Families interested in our services can fill out our Intake Form or call us.
Naples: 239-351-0675
Lely: 239-272-0838
Fort Myers: 239-351-3715
Cape Coral: 239-898-1380
The Clinic Manager will get back with you to discuss any questions, the process, and schedule a tour of our clinic. We strive to support every client according to their unique needs. We walk alongside you as you navigate your child’s diagnosis and search for the best possible supports to help them grow, learn, and thrive.
The number of hours of ABA therapy needed each week vary on a case by case scenario. It all depends on the needs of the child. For some children, two hours of treatment per week is sufficient. However, it is not unusual for a therapist to recommend 25-40 hours of weekly therapy.
We are an in-network provider for most insurance companies.
Yes, we are in-network with Tricare.
At this time, Stepping Stone Kids Therapy accepts Medicaid plans and WellCare
Some insurance companies we work with (Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc.) require you to pay any copays and coinsurance specified by your plan. We will guide you through the process to make the process simple and straightforward.
You will receive a fee schedule with an estimate of your expected out-of-pocket expense for ABA therapy during the admissions process. Our experience working with insurance companies will give you an advantage in understanding upfront what to expect with your deductible, maximum out-of-pocket expense, and copays. We work with families to create payment plans that work with their budget.
We never want cost to be a factor that will prevent a child from receiving ABA therapy.
