Choosing the right ABA program involves more than finding a convenient location. Families also want to understand who will be working with their child, how ABA therapy is provided, and how the skills being taught can carry into everyday routines.
At our Lake Hopatcong center, Hand Over Hand provides individualized ABA therapy within Little Learner Academy. Board Certified Behavior Analysts and therapists work closely with each child while giving them opportunities to build practical skills in a preschool setting.
Families from Roxbury can expect:
Board Certified Clinical Oversight – Each child’s program is developed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who reviews progress and adjusts treatment based on the child’s response.
Individualized Goals – Therapy priorities are based on your child’s assessment, current skills, family priorities, and areas where additional help may make daily life easier.
A Preschool-Based Setting – Our ABA center operates within Little Learner Academy, creating opportunities to practice skills within routines that resemble a typical preschool day.
Thoughtful Peer Interaction – Children can gradually practice social interaction and classroom participation when those experiences are appropriate for their individual treatment plan.
Ongoing Progress Review – Our clinical team tracks developing skills and regularly reviews the treatment plan to determine when teaching strategies or priorities should change.
Family Involvement – Parents and caregivers are part of the process. We explain recommendations, discuss progress, and help families understand how developing skills can be encouraged outside of therapy.
Christine Wieladek
Christine Wieladek is the Regional Director of Hand Over Hand’s Denville and Jefferson centers. She has worked in the field of ABA since 2006 and earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University.
Christine became a BCBA in 2011 and has worked across public and private schools, group homes, home and community settings, and center-based programs. Her experience includes working with individuals ranging from 18 months to 70 years old.
Her areas of experience include skill acquisition programming, behavior reduction programming, staff development, and parent training. Outside of Hand Over Hand, Christine enjoys spending time with her family, including her two competition dancers and pets.
Melissa Simone
Melissa Simone is the Assistant Director of the Jefferson Center and has been a BCBA with Hand Over Hand since May 2024.
Melissa earned a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2020 and later completed a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell University in 2023. Her thesis research was published in the Journal of Behavioral Education in 2024 and presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International annual conference.
Her background in both mental health counseling and applied behavior analysis helps her approach treatment with attention to the individual child as well as the needs of the family.
Children may need support in different areas and at different stages of development. Hand Over Hand offers several ABA services designed to help children build practical skills within the settings where they learn and spend their time.
Roxbury families can access center-based ABA therapy at our Jefferson location inside Little Learner Academy. Children receive individualized care with opportunities to practice communication, transitions, classroom routines, and independence.
Home-based ABA therapy allows children to work on useful skills within familiar family routines. Treatment may address communication, mealtimes, personal care, sibling interactions, and other areas identified during assessment.
Hand Over Hand also works with schools and educational teams. Services can include classroom observations, Functional Behavior Assessments, staff training, consultation, and other forms of school-based ABA assistance.
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.
If your family lives in Roxbury and you are considering ABA therapy, our Lake Hopatcong team can help you understand which services may be appropriate for your child.
Call 973-722-9693 to learn more about ABA therapy for Roxbury families and begin the intake process.
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.
Recommendations are based on the intake process, assessment findings, your child’s strengths and needs, family priorities, and insurance requirements. The clinical team reviews the recommendations with your family before services begin.
Yes. Parents and caregivers provide important information about routines, communication, strengths, challenges, and priorities. Family guidance can also help caregivers understand the strategies being used during therapy and encourage developing skills at home.
Yes, home-based ABA therapy is one of the services Hand Over Hand provides. Availability and recommendations depend on your child’s clinical needs, family circumstances, insurance coverage, and current service availability.
ABA therapy can address communication, play, transitions, classroom participation, self-care, daily routines, social interaction, safety, and independence. The specific skills selected depend on your child’s individual assessment and treatment priorities.
Hand Over Hand works with children across different developmental stages. Age, clinical needs, service availability, and the type of program being considered are reviewed during the intake process.
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