Play-Based ABA Therapy for Children & Families Near Shawnee, KS
Learning that your child has autism can bring a mix of emotions, from relief at having answers to uncertainty about what comes next. Finding an ABA provider that offers both clinical expertise and compassionate support can help your family feel more confident moving forward.
The Behavior Project proudly serves families throughout Shawnee, KS with individualized, play-based ABA therapy designed specifically for young children with autism. Located just a short drive away in Overland Park and Stilwell, our clinics provide a warm, engaging environment where children build communication, social, behavioral, and daily living skills through evidence-based therapy rooted in meaningful play.
We believe every child deserves personalized care that celebrates their strengths while helping them develop the skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and throughout their community.
Guiding Shawnee Children To Learn Through Natural Play
Children learn best when they feel comfortable, motivated, and excited to explore. That's why our therapists use child-led, play-based experiences to teach meaningful skills in ways that feel natural and enjoyable.
Rather than relying on repetitive drills, we use Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) to incorporate learning into activities children genuinely enjoy. Whether playing with toys, engaging in imaginative games, or participating in everyday routines, therapy becomes an opportunity for children to build confidence while developing important life skills.
Every treatment plan is individualized because every child learns differently, and meaningful progress starts by meeting children where they are.
ABA Therapy Services in Leawood
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
Skills look different for every child at The Behavior Project because your child's goals are designed around their specific strengths, interests, and areas of growth. No two ABA programs are identical. Depending on your child's individual goals, therapy may focus on developing skills in areas such as:
Communication and Language
- Requesting a preferred toy
- Labeling what they see
- Expanding from single words to short phrases
- Learning to communicate when something feels wrong
Social Connection and Peer Interaction
- Shared attention
- Turn-taking
- Initiating play
- Responding to a friend's cues
Flexibility, Emotional Regulation, and Daily Routines
- Tolerating a transition
- Trying something unfamiliar
- Managing the frustration of losing a game
At the heart of it all, ABA therapy is about helping your child build the skills they need to communicate, connect, and navigate the world with greater confidence. Your child's journey and potential is specific to who they are. That is what ABA therapy should be.
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.
Supporting Shawnee Families with Compassionate ABA Therapy
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, communicate, and grow in an environment where they feel encouraged, respected, and understood. At The Behavior Project, we're proud to partner with families throughout Shawnee by providing individualized ABA therapy that supports meaningful progress through play, connection, and evidence-based care.
If you're looking for ABA therapy near Shawnee, KS, we'd be honored to help your family take the next step.
Contact The Behavior Project today to learn more about our services or schedule an initial consultation.
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.
How is The Behavior Project different from other ABA clinics in the Shawneearea?
Families often tell us that The Behavior Project feels different the moment they walk through the door. Rather than a traditional therapy clinic, our clinics are designed as engaging, child-sized communities where learning happens through play and everyday experiences.
We specialize in early intervention and provide individualized ABA therapy using a naturalistic, evidence-based approach. Because we're locally owned and led by a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), clinical decisions stay in the hands of experienced clinicians who know your child personally. Combined with our national BHCOE accreditation, our focus is simple: providing high-quality, compassionate care that helps children and families thrive.
Parent Support is built into every child's program because we believe the most meaningful progress happens when families feel confident using new skills beyond the clinic.
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.
