Early Intervention · Ages 0–3

ABA Therapy for Toddlers
when the brain is most ready.

Play-based, one-to-one therapy designed for kids ages 0–3. The first three years are when the brain forms the most connections it ever will — we use that window to help your toddler talk, point, share, and connect.

See the Early Intervention Program Call (888) 989-5011
0–3
Ages Served
1:1
Therapist Ratio
$0
For Most Families
First gains in
3–6 months
The 0–3 window

The earlier the better — and the science is unusually clear.

Between birth and age three, your child’s brain forms more than a million new neural connections every second. Skills like joint attention, imitation, and first words don’t just “come in” on their own — they’re built on top of those early connections. Starting ABA in that window means we’re building on a brain that’s designed for it.

Peak brain plasticity

Children under three learn skills with far less effort than they will at five, eight, or twelve. The same goal that might take a year at age six often takes a few months at age two.

Language opens up

Early intervention is the single strongest predictor of speaking children with autism developing functional spoken language. Waiting to see “if they grow out of it” costs months you can’t get back.

Habits aren’t set yet

Big behaviors — meltdowns, self-injury, food rigidity — are easier to shape before they become a child’s default. Toddler-aged ABA prevents patterns rather than untangling them later.

Parents become experts

When you start at age two, you get a year or more of weekly coaching before preschool decisions, IEP meetings, and school enrollment. By the time those arrive, you’re the calm one in the room.

Less needed later

Many children who start ABA before age three need substantially fewer hours of support by kindergarten. Some don’t need ongoing services at all. Early hours pay back many times over.

A diagnosis isn’t required

If your pediatrician flagged a delay, or you’re on a waitlist for an evaluation, we can usually start with a referral. Don’t wait for the paperwork — the brain doesn’t wait.

What it actually looks like

It looks like play. On purpose.

ABA for toddlers is not flashcards at a table. It’s a trained therapist on the floor with your child, following their lead with bubbles, blocks, snacks, and songs — and using each moment to teach a small, specific skill.

We use Natural Environment Teaching (NET) and play-based methods built for this age. Sessions feel like preschool with a coach. Your child laughs, you watch the data move, and we adjust every week based on what’s working.

Read the full program
A session might include
  • Bubble-pop turn-taking on the rug
  • Naming animals during pretend zoo
  • Pointing to request a favorite snack
  • Tolerating “wait” for ten seconds
  • Mimicking simple sounds and gestures
Goals we work on first
  • Joint attention — sharing what they see
  • Imitation of mouth movements and actions
  • First words or AAC requests
  • Responding to their name
  • Sitting at a table for two minutes
Parents are in the room

Every session ends with five to ten minutes of parent coaching. By month two, you can run the same teaching moments at the grocery store, in the bath, and at grandma’s. That’s what makes the gains stick — therapy hours are scaffolding; daily life is where the learning lives.

The 3–6 month picture

What most parents notice in three to six months.

Every child is different, and we never promise specific outcomes. But across hundreds of toddler intakes, these are the changes families report most often in the first few months of consistent early-intervention ABA.

1st
Functional words, signs, or AAC requests
+5x
More eye contact during favorite play
−50%
Drop in meltdowns around transitions
10+
New foods, textures, or self-care wins
Month 1

Rapport & baseline

Your child gets to know their therapist. We map current skills, motivators, and barriers. By week three, sessions are something they look forward to.

Months 2–3

First visible wins

A new word. Pointing to ask. Coming when called. Small things you didn’t realize were missing — until suddenly they’re there.

Months 4–6

Skills generalize

What works in session starts working at home, in the car, at church, at the park. That’s the goal — learning that travels.

Explore the Early Intervention Program
Don’t wait and see

When to call — today.

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start. If even a few of these sound like your child, that’s reason enough to reach out. We’ll help you figure out what’s next — whether it’s ABA, an evaluation, or a referral somewhere else.

A note from us

“Wait and see” is the most expensive advice a worried parent hears. Six months at age two is a lot of brain. If something feels off, trust that feeling — call us. The conversation is free.

12 mo

Not babbling, not pointing, not responding to their name consistently.

18 mo

No single words. No pretend play. Loss of words they used to have.

24 mo

No two-word phrases. Lines up toys instead of playing with them. Avoids eye contact.

Any age

Big meltdowns over small changes. Repeating the same movement for long stretches. Eating fewer than ten foods.

The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend autism screening at 18 and 24 months. If you’ve already had the conversation with your pediatrician — you’re ahead, not behind.

Start in days, not months

Your toddler’s brain is ready right now.

No waitlist. Most families pay $0. We can usually have an intake call on the books within 48 hours — and your child in their first session within a couple of weeks.

See the Early Intervention Program Call (888) 989-5011
From real On Target families

What our parents actually say.

★★★★★

“My child runs off to his therapist every time. It’s amazing.”

S. R.
★★★★★

“The therapists are so warm and really knowledgeable.”

A. D.
★★★★★

“This is a phenomenal ABA center. Everyone at the center is really kind and patient with my son. I have seen a huge improvement with him. I’m truly grateful for everyone at On Target. Thank you.”

Andreana Tadaj
Parent questions, answered

Toddler ABA, honestly.

Isn’t my child too young for therapy?

No — honestly, the opposite is true. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, and every major autism research group recommend starting as early as possible. ABA for toddlers doesn’t look like “therapy” in the clinical sense; it looks like very deliberate, very joyful play. If your child is old enough to laugh at peek-a-boo, they’re old enough to benefit.

Do we need an autism diagnosis to start?

In most cases, yes, insurance asks for a diagnosis to fund ABA — but if you don’t have one yet, we can help. We do autism testing in-house with no waitlist, and we’ll coordinate the evaluation, insurance approval, and start of services so you’re only making one set of calls.

How many hours a week does a toddler need?

It depends on the child and family. For 0–3, we often start at 15–25 hours per week and adjust based on tolerance, naps, sibling schedules, and goals. Early-intervention research generally supports more intensive hours during this window, but we’d rather start lower and ramp up than overwhelm a two-year-old in week one.

Will it feel like therapy or like preschool?

Preschool, mostly — with a coach. Toddler ABA happens on the floor, with bubbles and books and snack and music. The structure is in the therapist’s head: every interaction is teaching something specific, and we’re tracking what works. From your child’s point of view, it’s playtime with their favorite grown-up.

What does this actually cost us?

For most families — $0. ABA is covered by every major commercial insurer plus Medicaid in all 50 states for kids on the spectrum. We verify your benefits before your first session and walk you through any co-insurance up front. Nobody gets a surprise bill.

Take the first step

The best day to start is today.

No paperwork to download. No 60-day waitlist. One phone call — or a 30-second form — and we’ll take it from there.

Get Started Call (888) 989-5011

Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · We pick up live during business hours.