Skills and Behavior Assessments at The Behavior Project
You Have a Diagnosis. Now What?
Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring a mix of emotions, questions, and uncertainty about what comes next. At The Behavior Project, we're here to help you navigate that journey with guidance, support, and a clear path forward.
Our process begins with a two-hour skills and behavioral assessments designed to help us get to know your child in a fun and supportive environment. Through play, interaction, and observation, our team gains valuable insight into how your child learns, communicates, and engages with the world around them. Just as importantly, your perspective as a parent helps shape the recommendations and goals that follow.
We invite you to visit one of our clinics, explore our spaces, meet our team, and ask any questions you may have. When you're ready, we're here to help you take the next step with confidence.
What Do Our Assessments Evaluate?
Skill Levels and Individual Strengths
Using evidence-based ABA assessment tools, we build a clear picture of your child's current abilities across key developmental areas. This helps us identify both strengths and opportunities for growth, creating the foundation for an individualized treatment plan.
Communication and Social Connection
Communication looks different for every child. Whether your child uses spoken language, gestures, pointing, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), or other forms of communication, we want to understand how they express themselves and connect with the people around them. We also assess social interaction skills and opportunities for meaningful engagement with others.
Daily Living and Adaptive Skills
Many important skills develop through everyday routines. We look at areas such as self-care, flexibility, transitions, following routines, and responding to daily expectations. Understanding these skills helps us create goals that support greater independence at home, school, and in the community.
Understanding How Your Child Learns
Every child learns differently. We pay close attention to what motivates your child, what captures their interest, and how they naturally engage with their environment. These insights help shape the naturalistic teaching strategies used throughout their therapy program.
Together, this information creates an individualized treatment plan grounded in behavioral science and guided by Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) principles, providing a roadmap for your child's early therapy journey.
What Does Assessment Day Look Like?
At The Behavior Project, the initial assessment is a two-hour appointment designed to help our clinical team get to know your child and family. During the assessment, your child is encouraged to play and interact naturally while our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and clinical team assess communication, social interaction, play skills, daily living abilities, and other developmental areas.
Meanwhile, you will complete intake paperwork and then meet with our clinical team to discuss your child's history, current concerns, strengths, routines, and family goals. This conversation provides valuable context that, combined with direct observation, helps us develop a comprehensive understanding of your child. Following the assessment, the BCBA reviews all collected information to determine clinical recommendations and develops an individualized treatment plan tailored to support meaningful progress for your child and family.
What the Assessment Results Mean for Your Child's Therapy
The information gathered during your child's assessment becomes the foundation for their goals. It helps us create a plan that reflects their unique strengths, developmental needs, and opportunities for growth.
Every goal is built around three key factors:
- What your child can already do
- What they are developmentally ready to learn next
- What your family identifies as important priorities
At The Behavior Project, we're passionate about meeting children where they are and helping them build new skills. The assessment provides the roadmap for a therapy program that is engaging, purposeful, and focused on helping your child succeed in everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the assessment take? What will my child be doing?
The initial assessment typically lasts about two hours and is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of your child's strengths and needs. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) gathers information through parent interview, direct observation, play-based interactions, and standardized assessment tools, such as the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment & Assessment Scale (MOTAS), or other appropriate developmental and behavioral assessments. Together, this information helps us evaluate your child's communication, social, play, adaptive, and learning skills and develop individualized treatment recommendations.
What do I do during the assessment?
Parents are an essential part of the assessment process. You'll have the opportunity to discuss your child's developmental history, daily routines, strengths, challenges, and your family's goals. During part of the assessment, the BCBA may work individually with your child to complete play-based activities and standardized assessments while you remain nearby. This allows us to better understand your child's skills while combining your perspective with clinical observations and assessment results to develop personalized treatment recommendations.
How long does it take to get started after the assessment?
After the assessment, the BCBA takes approximately one week to analyze the data and build the initial six-month treatment plan. The clinical team then meets with you to review and approve the plan before anything is submitted to insurance. Insurance can take 2-3 weeks to review/approve our request but once insurance approves the ongoing treatment authorization, the clinic director contacts you to confirm your child's start date.
How often will my child's progress be reassessed?
Your child's progress is evaluated continuously throughout therapy, not just during formal assessments. Therapists collect data during every session, and your supervising BCBA regularly reviews that information to monitor progress and make treatment decisions. In addition, comprehensive standardized assessments are typically completed every six months using tools selected for your child's age and needs. These formal reassessments help measure progress over time, update treatment goals, and ensure therapy continues to reflect your child's current strengths and areas of need.
Will my insurance cover the assessment?
ABA services are covered by most major insurance plans, including the initial assessment. Before services begin, our team will verify your benefits and review your coverage with you so you have a clear understanding of any out-of-pocket costs and can move forward with confidence.
My child was just diagnosed and I'm overwhelmed. Is it too early to reach out?
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Many families are still processing a new diagnosis when they contact us, and our team is here to meet you exactly where you are. Scheduling a tour is a low-pressure way to see the environment, meet the team, and take the next step at your own pace.
How is this assessment different from what the diagnosing physician did?
An autism diagnostic evaluation answers the question, "Does my child have autism?" An ABA assessment answers the question, "How can we best support my child's development?" Following a diagnosis, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) completes a comprehensive assessment to evaluate your child's communication, social, play, adaptive, and learning skills. The information gathered is used to develop an individualized treatment plan and provide the documentation required for insurance authorization.
Small Steps. Meaningful Progress.
Getting started should feel supportive, not overwhelming. From your first conversation with our team to personalized recommendations and ongoing care, we’re here to help make every step feel clear, comfortable, and designed around your child’s needs.
Fill out our New Patient Inquiry Form to get started.
Connect with our clinical team and schedule a tour.
We verify your insurance and request an assessment.
Your child completes a comprehensive clinical assessment.
Our team develops your child’s personalized treatment plan.
Begin your child’s first day of therapy with our team.
