ABA Therapy for Children & Families in Roeland Park, KS
When your child is diagnosed with autism, finding the right support can raise many questions. You may be wondering which therapy approach is best, how to get started, or what your child's daily experience will look like. Having a compassionate, knowledgeable team nearby can help make those decisions easier.
The Behavior Project provides individualized, play-based ABA therapy for families in Roeland Park, KS, helping young children with autism strengthen communication, social interaction, and everyday living skills. Our nearby Overland Park clinics create welcoming spaces where children can explore, connect, and learn through activities that reflect their natural interests.
We believe effective early intervention begins with understanding the whole child. That's why our approach combines evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI), creating meaningful learning opportunities through play, relationships, and everyday experiences.
Whether you're searching for autism therapy near Roeland Park after a recent diagnosis or considering a new provider for your child, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.
Helping Roeland Park Children Learn, Connect, and Grow
For young children, learning doesn't have to happen at a desk. Some of the most valuable developmental opportunities happen while building a tower, exploring a pretend kitchen, playing with a favorite toy, or sharing a moment with another person.
At The Behavior Project, we use these everyday interactions to help children build important skills in ways that feel natural and engaging.
Our play-based ABA therapy follows each child's interests while incorporating individualized teaching strategies. Through NDBI, our clinicians identify opportunities to support communication, social development, independence, and other meaningful goals within activities children enjoy.
For example, a child playing with toy cars might practice asking for a specific vehicle, taking turns, identifying objects, or communicating when they need help. Another child might work on following a familiar routine or participating in shared play with a peer.
These activities are guided by individualized treatment goals rather than a fixed curriculum.
Our goal is to help children develop skills that make everyday experiences more accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful while respecting their personalities and individual learning styles.
ABA Therapy Services Near Roeland Park
Play-Based ABA Therapy
Using evidence-based NDBI strategies, therapy sessions are designed around your child's interests so learning feels natural, engaging, and enjoyable.
Early Intervention Therapy
Children can benefit from ABA at many ages, but starting earlier provides more opportunities to build these skills during a period of significant development.
Skills & Behavior Assessments
Through play, interaction, and observation, our team gains valuable insight into how your child learns, communicates, and engages with the world around them.
What Your Child Is Actually Building During Sessions
Every child has different strengths, interests, and developmental priorities. At The Behavior Project, therapy goals are selected to reflect those individual differences and help children develop skills that matter in their everyday lives.
Our clinicians use engaging, natural learning opportunities to address several areas of development.
Communication and Language Skills
Being able to communicate needs, preferences, and feelings can make everyday experiences easier and more meaningful for children and their families.
Depending on your child's goals, therapy may focus on:
- Requesting favorite toys, snacks, or activities
- Expressing needs using words, gestures, or alternative communication methods
- Responding to familiar questions
- Developing vocabulary and functional language
- Initiating interactions with others
- Communicating discomfort or asking for assistance
We recognize that communication looks different for every child. Our approach supports meaningful self-expression using methods that work for each individual's abilities and needs.
Social Connection and Peer Interaction
Social development involves learning how to engage with others, share experiences, and participate in meaningful relationships.
Through play-based activities, children may practice:
- Participating in shared games and activities
- Taking turns with peers
- Initiating play or inviting others to join
- Developing joint attention
- Responding to social interactions
- Building cooperative play skills
These skills are introduced through natural, supportive experiences that encourage connection without requiring every child to interact in the same way.
Flexibility, Emotional Regulation, and Daily Routines
Everyday routines can present challenges for young children, particularly when communication difficulties, sensory preferences, or unexpected changes are involved.
Our staff may help children develop skills such as:
- Moving between activities with appropriate support
- Communicating frustration or discomfort
- Practicing coping strategies during challenging moments
- Participating in dressing and hygiene routines
- Requesting breaks or assistance
- Developing independence with age-appropriate tasks
By understanding each child's individual needs, our team creates supportive strategies that help make everyday activities more routine.
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.
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Why Families Choose The Behavior Project
Locally-Owned
The Behavior Project is a locally owned ABA practice serving families throughout the Kansas City metro. Founded and led by Dr. Kate Lamb, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D), our practice is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based care for every child. Her leadership and clinical expertise help ensure the highest quality of care across all locations.
BHCOE Accreditation
The Behavior Project is accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE), an independent organization that recognizes ABA providers for meeting high standards in clinical quality, staff training, and family satisfaction. This accreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional care and is held by only a small number of ABA providers in the entire Kansas City area.
Experienced & Dedicated
Since opening our doors in 2018, The Behavior Project has had the privilege of serving more than 500 children and their families. We believe our growth has been built on trust, strong relationships, and a commitment to providing individualized care. Every child who walks through our doors is known by name, supported by a dedicated clinical team, and treated with the compassion and attention they deserve.
Convenient Care for Local Families
Finding quality autism services close to home can make an important difference when balancing therapy appointments, family routines, and other responsibilities.
The Behavior Project welcomes families from Roeland Park and neighboring northeast Johnson County communities, including Mission, Fairway, Westwood, Merriam, and Prairie Village.
Our Downtown Overland Park clinic at 7911 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66204, provides a nearby option for Roeland Park families exploring center-based ABA therapy.
We also offer services at our
South Overland Park and
Stilwell locations. Families living near Roe Boulevard, Johnson Drive, and surrounding Roeland Park neighborhoods can contact our enrollment team to discuss available clinic locations and determine which option best fits their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does play-based ABA therapy actually look like during a session?
At The Behavior Project, learning happens through play that is meaningful and motivating to the child. For example, while playing in our grocery store, a child might practice requesting items, identifying foods, colors, and shapes, taking turns, engaging in functional play, following directions, and transitioning between activities, all within a single play experience.
To a parent, it may look like simple play, but every interaction is purposeful. Each activity is thoughtfully designed to build communication, social, play, and daily living skills based on the child's individualized treatment plan. Every program is supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), with progress continuously monitored through ongoing data collection.
Is play-based ABA therapy as effective as more structured ABA approaches?
Yes. The Behavior Project uses a play-based approach grounded in Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), an evidence-based framework that integrates ABA and developmental science. Research supports NDBIs as an effective approach for helping young children develop communication, language, social, and play skills by embedding teaching into natural interactions and everyday routines. Because learning occurs in meaningful contexts, skills are more likely to generalize across people, settings, and activities.
Is play-based ABA therapy covered by insurance?
Yes. ABA therapy, including our play-based approach, is covered by most insurance plans. We will run your insurance benefits to ensure your plan covers these services before getting started.
What age should a child start play-based ABA therapy?
Children can begin ABA therapy as soon as they receive an autism diagnosis. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children receive intervention as early as possible because research shows that early support can improve communication, social engagement, play, and adaptive functioning. Early intervention provides repeated opportunities to build foundational skills that support learning across home, school, and community settings.
What makes The Behavior Project different from other ABA providers near Roeland Park?
The Behavior Project combines individualized, play-based ABA therapy with doctoral-level clinical leadership, national BHCOE accreditation, and an emphasis on family involvement.
Our locally owned practice focuses on early intervention for young children with autism, using evidence-based NDBI strategies that integrate learning into natural play and everyday experiences.
With nearby clinics in Overland Park, Roeland Park families can explore personalized autism services supported by experienced clinicians and collaborative treatment planning.
We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
Our team works directly with your provider to verify coverage and simplify the process, so you can focus on care—not paperwork.
