Meet & Greet
Learn about our full time center based services tailored to support children with austism.
April 28, 2026
9:51 am
At our Manahawkin center, families come to us looking for more than therapy. They want to see their child grow, connect and reach milestones. Hand Over Hand provides personalized ABA therapy for children with autism and related diagnoses. After 12 years, we have built a preschool-integrated program that delivers real progress in a setting where children feel comfortable and fully included.
Here is what families can expect when they choose Hand Over Hand for ABA therapy in Manahawkin, NJ:
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.
Hand Over Hand offers ABA therapy services that are planned around your child and your family’s goals. After the assessment, our team will review recommendations with you and discuss which setting may be most appropriate.
Our center-based program in Manahawkin provides individualized support in a preschool setting. Children work toward goals that span communication, social growth, daily routines and the steps that lead toward greater independence.
Manahawkin home-based therapy is all about addressing your child's needs within their home surroundings. Our therapists work side by side with your family, turning everyday moments into opportunities for growth and progress.
School support services help families understand their child’s needs in the school setting through IEP and 504 review, observations, meeting preparation, and collaboration with school teams.
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.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Manahawkin, NJ? Our team is here to answer your questions, walk you through the process and help your child take the next step forward.
Contact us today at 973-722-9693 to learn more about our autism treatment services and schedule a consultation.
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.
Yes. Therapy plans can be reviewed and updated as your child builds new skills, makes progress, or needs support in new areas.
Before starting services, the intake and clinical teams will collect information, go over paperwork, discuss insurance, schedule the assessment, and provide you with recommendations.
Our team communicates with families through the process. We provide updates, address any questions you have, set goals, and give suggestions on things that might be useful to consider outside our sessions.
Based on your child’s requirements, you can receive guidance and assistance from school settings.
Yes. Home-based ABA therapy may support routines such as toileting, dressing, communication, transitions, and other daily activities at home.
Learn about our full time center based services tailored to support children with austism.
Learn about our full time center based services tailored to support children with austism.
Learn about our full time center based services tailored to support children with austism.
