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[quote=Anonymous]In DC, call Strong Start (if you aren't involved with them already). https://osse.dc.gov/service/strong-start-dc-early-intervention-program-dc-eip  They will evaluate your child and can hook you up with free early intervention therapies (speech, OT, PT, ABA) if your child qualifies. At the same time, you can check your insurance to see if it covers ABA therapy, and if so, start calling in-network ABA providers. Most are at capacity and will offer to put you on their waitlist.

Floortime therapy has been helpful for my son, but their office is in Bethesda (you have to come to them, unlike most ABA providers, who can come to your child at home or daycare). Also, they don't take insurance. If you have out-of-network benefits in your insurance, you can pay for Floortime OT or speech therapy out of pocket and submit the receipts to your insurer for partial reimbursement.

When my son was diagnosed at age 3, the doctor said to try everything I could and see what worked. We only found 2 ABA places that had openings and were covered by our insurance: BASICS ABA and Little Leaves Little Buds ABA preschool. Neither was a good fit for my son, but you might want to contact both and discuss your child's needs with them. If their approach feels OK to you and insurance will cover it, I'd suggest you dive in with ABA and see how your son responds to 20 hours a week. These preschool years  are a good time to try intensive ABA or other therapies, because they are most effective when started early in life, and you don't have to worry about working around a school schedule like you do with older kids.

If your child is already 3 or 4, there are more options through private special needs preschools and DCPS preschool placement through the Early Stages office. I won't get into that here since your child might not be old enough yet, but post again if you want info on that.[/quote]

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