Frequently Asked Questions

About ABA

  • Applied Behavior Analysis is a science focused on understanding how learning happens. In ABA, we use evidence-based strategies to help children build meaningful skills—such as communication, play, independence, and emotional regulation—while reducing barriers that make daily life harder. At Little Steps ABA Therapy, ABA is child-centered, compassionate, and focused on supporting your child in ways that feel safe, respectful, and joyful.

  • Your child’s therapy team is led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), which is a clinician with a master’s degree who specializes in understanding the science of behavior. The BCBA completes your child’s assessments, develops individualized goals, provides regular supervision, and closely monitors your child’s progress throughout their time in therapy.

    A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) will be assigned to your child to provide direct support. An RBT is a trained technician who has completed at least 40 hours of training in ABA, completed their competency assessment, and passed the national board exam. The BCBA provides ongoing training and guidance to the RBT to ensure your child receives high-quality, compassionate care.

    Families are also an important part of the team, and your input is always valued and welcomed!

  • Every session looks a little different because it’s tailored to your child’s needs. Sessions may include play-based teaching, practicing communication skills, working on independence tasks, or supporting emotional regulation. We follow your child’s interests, build on their strengths, and work toward goals in a natural, supportive way. Sessions can take place at home or out in the community, depending on where skills are most meaningful.

  • Trauma-informed ABA is an approach that prioritizes safety, respect, and emotional well-being. It recognizes that because of the way our world operates, many autistic individuals have experienced—or may experience—some form of trauma in their lifetime. With this awareness, we create interventions that are mindful of past experiences, avoid power struggles, and focus on building trust.

    Trauma-informed ABA also means including the client in decisions about their therapy whenever possible, honoring their communication (verbal or nonverbal), and teaching skills that support autonomy and self-advocacy. Our goal is to help children feel understood, supported, and empowered as they learn and grow.

About Services

  • Our primary focus is early intervention for children ages 1–8, but we understand that every child’s journey is different. In some cases, we’re able to work with older learners. If your child falls outside this age range, feel free to reach out — we’d be happy to talk through options!

  • We currently serve families throughout Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding areas. We also offer remote services for families who live outside the city. If you’re unsure whether you’re in our service area, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help.

  • We come to you! All therapy is provided in your child’s natural environments—your home, your community, or both. We meet your child where they’re most comfortable and help them build skills in the places that matter most, such as at home, parks, stores, or the zoo.

  • Absolutely! Parent and caregiver involvement is a core part of effective ABA, and required for services by most insurances. You’ll be included in goal-setting, progress updates, and parent collaboration sessions. Your insight is essential, and your collaboration helps therapy feel consistent, meaningful, and aligned with your family’s values.

Getting Started

  • Getting started is easy. You can fill out the contact form on our website, send an email, or give us a call. From there, we’ll talk about your child’s needs and guide you through the next steps.

    If you’re using insurance, here’s what the process typically looks like:

    1. Intake & Insurance Verification:
      We collect basic information and verify your insurance benefits.

    2. Authorization for an Assessment:
      Your insurance provider requires an authorization before the BCBA can complete the initial assessment. We submit this request for you.

    3. Initial Assessment:
      Once approved, the BCBA completes a comprehensive assessment with your child and your family. This may include direct observation, caregiver interviews, and evidence-based assessment tools.

    4. Treatment Plan & Authorization for Services:
      After the assessment, the BCBA writes a treatment plan and submits it to insurance to request authorization for ongoing ABA services.

    5. Therapy Begins:
      Once insurance approves the plan (authorization), we schedule sessions and get started with services.

    Timelines can vary depending on insurance processing speeds, but we keep you updated every step of the way. If you’re private pay, the process can move more quickly since authorizations aren’t required.

  • For insurance-funded services, most insurance plans require an autism diagnosis. If your child is still in the process of getting evaluated, private-pay services may be available.

  • Therapy hours are based on your child’s individualized assessment. We look at your child’s strengths, needs, goals, and your family’s priorities and availability to determine what level of support will be most beneficial.