Every child brings their own personality and interests to therapy, along with daily routines and skills that could use additional support. At Hand Over Hand, treatment begins with getting to know your child and identifying skills that can make everyday moments easier, whether at home, in preschool, or in the community.
Our integrated ABA center is conveniently located in Manahawkin for families from Barnegat. Our program being run in a private preschool allows for children to get specialized ABA therapy along with opportunities to work on skills in natural childhood routines.
Families can expect:
Kelsey Blanchard, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Kelsey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Assistant Clinical Director at Hand Over Hand LLC in Manahawkin. With more than 10 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis, she specializes in supporting children ages 2 to 10 with Autism Spectrum Disorder in school and clinic settings.
Kelsey is passionate about helping children build independence, communication, self care skills, and positive social relationships. Her leadership style is grounded in communication and collaboration, and she works closely with staff to provide ongoing support and training. Her work with families is built on trust, compassion, and practical strategies that help children succeed across settings.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton and a Master of Arts from Ball State University. Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, working out, and cheering on the New York Rangers. What she loves most about ABA is creating a positive environment where children can grow with confidence and celebrate meaningful progress.
Different skills can become important in different environments. Hand Over Hand offers several types of ABA services so recommendations can reflect your child’s needs at home, in educational settings, and during daily activities.
At Hand Over Hand, ABA therapy takes place in dedicated classrooms designed around each child's individual goals. Children work closely with their treatment team to build skills that support communication and everyday routines.
Home-based ABA therapy allows your child to work on skills within familiar routines. Sessions may focus on meals, personal care, sibling interactions, or other areas identified through assessment.
Hand Over Hand also works with educational teams when additional ABA expertise is needed in school. Services can include classroom observations, Functional Behavior Assessments, staff training, consultation, and recommendations based on the student’s individual needs.
We absolutely love Hand Over Hand! Their team truly tailors their approach to meet the unique needs of each child and family. They use naturalistic teaching methods that help children thrive and succeed in meaningful ways. The staff is incredibly welcoming, flexible, and supportive, creating a positive experience for the entire family. We have seen tremendous progress in our daughter since starting with them, and we are so grateful for their dedication, support and care.
I was very nervous about my son being away from me for the first time but this center has been amazing. The staff is so friendly and really cares about him. He has had so much progress since he started. He really enjoys going there, loves all of the staff and runs to the door every morning.
Patient, kind and caring staff. I have such peace of mind knowing my son is in capable hands with this loving team. Our son is making progress and our whole family feels supported by Hand Over Hand.
You don’t need to know exactly which service your child needs before reaching out. Our team will get to know your child and recommend next steps based on a clinical evaluation, your family’s preferences, insurance coverage, and availability.
Call 973-722-9693 to learn more about ABA therapy for Barnegat families and the steps involved in getting started.
Your journey with Hand Over Hand begins with a personal conversation. Our Family Liaison takes the time to connect with you, learn about your child, and answer any questions you may have before anything else begins.
Once we have connected, we will guide you through the necessary paperwork so that the logistics are handled quickly and easily. Our goal is to make this step as simple as possible so services can move forward without delay.
Before we begin, we contact your insurance provider to obtain approval to assess your child. Once authorized, we can move forward with scheduling the in-person portion of the assessment.
Our clinical team spends dedicated time with your child conducting an in-person assessment, while also meeting with your family to understand your goals and priorities. From there, we develop individualized goals and a personalized treatment plan built specifically around your child.
Once the treatment plan is complete, we submit everything to your insurance provider for authorization, handling the process on your behalf so there are no unnecessary delays before therapy begins.
With all the pieces in place, it is time for the most exciting step. Your child begins therapy and your family becomes part of the Hand Over Hand community.
We understand that starting ABA therapy comes with many questions and concerns.
Our team takes the time to understand your child’s needs, verify your insurance coverage, and make sure every detail is in place before ABA therapy begins.
Building trust and open communication from the start is our priority, so you feel confident and prepared for the journey ahead.
Barnegat families can access Hand Over Hand’s nearby integrated ABA center inside Little Graduates Preschool at 935 N. Main Street in Manahawkin.
Treatment recommendations are based on your child’s assessment, existing abilities, communication, daily routines, family priorities, and areas where additional help may be useful.
Home-based services may be available depending on your child’s clinical needs, insurance coverage, family circumstances, staffing, and current availability.
Parents and caregivers provide important information about what happens outside of therapy. Family guidance can also help you understand the strategies being used and find practical ways to encourage developing skills at home.
Depending on the child, therapy may address communication, play, transitions, self-care, classroom participation, social interaction, safety, daily routines, and independence.
Hand Over Hand’s Integrated ABA Center operates within Little Graduates Preschool, but service recommendations depend on your child’s individual needs and the type of program being considered. Our intake team can explain how the center works and which services may be appropriate for your family.
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