Center-Based ABA Therapy
Certain children require more than simply being “shadowed” within a preschool setting. At Hand Over Hand, we provide fully developed ABA therapy programs in our own dedicated space within private preschools.
What is Center-Based ABA Therapy?
Center-based ABA therapy is an evidence-based approach delivered in a structured clinical setting designed to foster growth and development. In this environment, children build social and communication skills while developing strategies that encourage success in learning and everyday life.
Through consistent routines, access to specialized resources such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and opportunities for peer interaction and integration, our center-based ABA therapy helps children strengthen and apply important skills in a focused, nurturing setting. It’s not just about a diagnosis — it’s about seeing the whole child and guiding development in a thoughtful, individualized, and natural way.
Why Hand Over Hand?
Understand
Get to know your child’s strengths, challenges, daily patterns, and behaviors.
Discover
Uncover why your child engages in specific routines and behaviors while learning strategies to help your child thrive.
Support
Develop proven, personalized approaches built around your child and family.
Grow
Help your child develop lasting skills that will carry into daily life.
A Specialized Approach
Every child learns differently, which is why our center-based programs are thoughtfully designed around each child’s individual strengths, developmental needs, and goals.
Within a structured environment, children have opportunities to build important skills through guided routines, peer interaction, play-based learning, and collaborative activities.
Our center-based services emphasize:
Communication and language development
Social interaction and peer engagement
Cooperative play and group participation
Independence with classroom and daily routines
School readiness and learning-related skills
Building Skills
in Real-Life Environments
Hand over Hand’s unique model of partnering with private preschools allows us to offer a variety of settings in which children can receive ABA therapy. As a result, children gain exposure to the environment that will maximize their opportunity for growth.
Most children begin by receiving ABA therapy in one of our dedicated spaces within a private preschool. For certain children where it is deemed clinically beneficial, there is an opportunity to participate in “inclusion” where one-to-one ABA therapy with a dedicated RBT is delivered within a preschool classroom of neurotypical peers. This allows the child to learn skills that will prepare them for more varied social settings in their future.
We’ve been focused on refining this child-centered approach into the program it is today, one that prioritizes growth, meaningful peer interaction, and long-term success. And most importantly, it works.
Center-Based ABA Therapy Services
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Full or Partial Inclusion Pre-School
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Self-Contained Classrooms
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Related Services
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Social Skills
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Community Opportunities
Center-Based vs In-Home ABA Therapy
Both center-based ABA therapy and in-home ABA therapy are effective, but they offer different benefits.
Center-Based ABA Therapy
Providing consistent routines, opportunities for peer interaction and individualized programming. This environment is ideal for building social skills and focused learning.
In-Home ABA Therapy
Occurs in a child’s home environment, helping them develop skills within daily routines and familiar settings.
Explore A More Connected Approach to Center-Based Care
Our center-based approach is designed to provide children with high-quality ABA therapy.
Through respectful, modern teaching practices, nurturing support, and play-based learning, children are encouraged to build skills through everyday interactions and experiences.
We believe an autism diagnosis should never limit a child’s opportunity to learn alongside peers, develop friendships, and feel included within their environment. That’s why our programs place a strong emphasis on peer interaction, integration, and helping children build confidence.
For many families, Hand Over Hand becomes more than a program, it becomes a trusted place where children feel welcomed, included, and excited to learn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes center-based ABA therapy different from in-home ABA therapy?
Center-based ABA therapy takes place in a structured setting where children can practice skills around peers, routines, group activities, and classroom-style experiences. In-home ABA therapy focuses more directly on routines and needs within the home.
Is center-based ABA therapy personalized?
Yes. Each child’s program is based on their assessment, strengths, support needs, learning style, and family goals. Therapy plans may change over time as your child makes progress or needs support in new areas.
What skills can center-based ABA therapy help with?
Who creates my child’s therapy plan?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst develops the treatment plan after learning about your child’s strengths, needs, and goals. The clinical team then works together to support your child’s progress.
Can center-based ABA therapy help with school readiness?
Yes. Because center-based therapy takes place in a structured early learning environment, children may work on skills that support classroom participation, following routines, communication, group activities, and independence.
