A diagnosis for a two-year-old brings questions about hours, Early Intervention, and preschool, often all in the same week. This guide answers them for families exploring early intervention ABA in Massachusetts.
It covers what early intensive behavioral intervention involves and how it fits alongside the state's Early Intervention program. We'll also walk through our early learner programs at Rising Above ABA and the steps to get started.
What Is Early Intervention ABA Therapy?
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a research-based approach that teaches skills by studying what happens before and after a behavior. Early intensive behavioral intervention, usually shortened to EIBI, is comprehensive ABA designed for young children.
It typically runs many hours a week, because toddlers learn through frequent, repeated practice spread across the day. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs the program and supervises the therapists who deliver it.
The focus is on the skills that later learning builds on. That includes communication (asking for a snack, pointing to show you something), play, imitation, and early social and self-care skills like washing hands. Goals come from an assessment of your child, so two toddlers in the same program can be working on very different things.
At Rising Above ABA, our early learner programs are built around this model. Our Early Intensive ABA (EIBI) program serves children from 18 months to 5 years. Each child follows an individualized treatment plan that a BCBA reviews and adjusts as data comes in.
Why Does Starting ABA Early Matter?
The first few years of life are a period of rapid brain development. During that window, young children pick up language, play, and social skills at a pace that slows somewhat as they get older. Starting support early means teaching happens while those foundational skills are still taking shape.
The research here is encouraging, though measured. The CDC's guidance on treatment and intervention for autism notes that early intervention services can help children with autism learn important skills. Studies of early, intensive ABA have reported gains in communication and daily living skills for many children. But results differ from child to child, and no provider can honestly promise a specific outcome.
So the practical takeaway is simple. If your toddler has a diagnosis, or you're seeing signs that worry you, it makes sense to reach out now rather than wait and watch. Families seeking toddler ABA therapy in Boston, on the South Shore, or further afield can start the intake process while other evaluations are still underway.
How Does Massachusetts Early Intervention Work Alongside ABA?
This is where many parents get tangled up, and understandably so. Massachusetts Early Intervention (EI) is a statewide program run by the Department of Public Health for children from birth to age 3. It serves children with developmental delays or concerns, and autism is only one reason a child might qualify. ABA, by contrast, is a specific therapy delivered by behavior analysts, often funded through health insurance.
The EI process usually starts with a referral, which a parent or pediatrician can make. An EI team then evaluates your child's development. If your child is eligible, you and the team write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). That document sets goals and lists the services your family will receive.
ABA can run alongside EI rather than replacing it. Some children receive autism-focused specialty services connected to EI, while others add private ABA through commercial insurance or MassHealth. Either way, tell your EI coordinator and your ABA team about each other, since shared goals keep your child from getting mixed messages.
EI ends at your child's third birthday. Around that time, families transition to their local public school district, which evaluates for special education services and preschool placement. ABA can continue through that change, and your BCBA can help you prepare for the school meetings ahead.
What Do Rising Above ABA's Early Learner Programs Include?
We offer three programs for young children, each built for a different stage. Services are available at our center in Norwell and, depending on the program, in your home. The details below reflect our current program structure, and your BCBA will recommend the right fit after assessment.
Early Intensive ABA (EIBI)
EIBI is our most intensive option, for children from 18 months to 5 years. Children typically receive 28 to 40 hours a week of ABA, depending on their assessment and treatment plan. The focus is on core communication, play, imitation, and daily living skills, taught through a mix of structured and play-based teaching.
Foundations ABA: Early Learner Track
The Foundations ABA Early Learner Track serves children from 18 months to 6 years. It suits children who benefit from ABA support without needing the full intensity of EIBI. Weekly hours are set by the BCBA based on your child's needs, and the plan targets the specific skills that assessment identifies.
School Readiness Program
Our School Readiness Program serves children ages 2.5 to 6 and comes in two tracks. Caterpillar Crew runs 20 to 25 hours a week, and Blooming Butterflies runs 20 hours a week. Both focus on classroom routines like sitting for circle time, following group instructions, waiting a turn, and moving between activities.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like for a Toddler in ABA?
For a toddler, a good ABA session looks a lot like play. That's deliberate. Natural environment teaching (NET) means teaching skills inside everyday activities and games your child already enjoys, so learning stays motivating.
A sample morning might start with an arrival routine: hanging up a coat, saying hello, and choosing a first activity from a picture board. During play, a therapist might hold the bubble wand until your child signs or says "more" to keep it going. Snack becomes requesting practice, too (crackers in a clear container your child has to ask to open work wonders). Short structured activities, like matching pictures for a minute or two, are mixed in between longer play.
Transitions get practiced on purpose, because moving from a favorite toy to the sink is hard at two. Therapists use timers, visual cues, and plenty of praise to make those shifts predictable. And the BCBA reviews session data regularly to decide which skills move forward and which need more practice.
How Do Parents Take Part in Early Intervention ABA?
You're a central part of the team. Parent and caregiver training is built into our programs, with your BCBA coaching you on the same strategies your child's therapists use. For a toddler, those strategies fit into ordinary moments like bath time, getting dressed, and meals.
Home practice matters most when it's simple and consistent. Your BCBA might ask you to focus on one skill for a week, like waiting for a request before handing over a cup. You'll also meet for regular progress reviews, where the BCBA shares the data and talks through what comes next.
How Do You Get Started After a Diagnosis?
Getting started with us follows a clear sequence. Each step builds on the one before, and our intake team walks you through it. Here's what to expect:
- Contact our team by phone at 781-414-5940 or by email at info@risingaboveaba.com.
- Share your insurance details, whether that's a commercial plan or MassHealth, so we can verify benefits.
- Schedule an assessment with a BCBA, who evaluates your child's current skills.
- Review your child's individualized treatment plan and recommended hours together.
Still waiting on a formal evaluation? The CDC explains how autism screening and diagnosis work, and our post on whether you need a diagnosis before starting ABA covers the Massachusetts specifics. If you're ready to talk, give us a call, and we'll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can a child start ABA therapy in Massachusetts?
At Rising Above ABA, children can start as young as 18 months. Our EIBI and Foundations Early Learner programs are designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. The right starting point depends on your child's assessment, which a BCBA completes before treatment begins.
Is ABA the same as Massachusetts Early Intervention?
No, they're separate services. Massachusetts Early Intervention is a state program for children from birth to 3 with a range of developmental needs. ABA is a specific therapy for skill building and behavior, and many families use both at the same time.
How many hours of ABA does a toddler need?
It depends on your child's needs and goals. Our EIBI program typically runs 28 to 40 hours a week, while our School Readiness tracks run 20 to 25 hours. Your BCBA recommends hours after assessment, and insurance authorization also plays a part in the final schedule.
Can my child do ABA and attend preschool?
Yes, many children do both. Sessions can be scheduled around a preschool day, and our School Readiness Program focuses on classroom skills like group instructions and circle time. Your BCBA can also coordinate with preschool staff so strategies stay consistent across settings.
Give us a call at 888.572.7473 or reach out to our team online to get started—we're looking forward to partnering with your family.
