Palm Springs shares a border with Greenacres, where our office is. If your child could use more support, help is practically next door. Here is how ABA therapy works, what free resources are nearby, and how to start.
Next door to our office
The Village of Palm Springs borders Greenacres, so for many families our office is only a few minutes away by local roads. We serve families across the village, from the streets near Congress Avenue to the neighborhoods along Forest Hill Boulevard and Lake Worth Road.
That closeness helps in a practical way: it is easier for a therapist and a BCBA to get to your door, and easier to adjust a schedule when your week changes.
ABA that fits your family's routine
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. It teaches skills one small step at a time and builds on what your child already enjoys. For a child with autism, that can mean more words, easier mornings, calmer transitions and more play with others.
An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) works one-on-one with your child, at home or at school, and a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) writes the plan and supervises. We teach you the same tools so they work on Tuesday night too, not only during sessions. Part of our team is bilingual, so English, Spanish or both are fine.
Schools and the district around Palm Springs
Public schools in and around the village belong to the School District of Palm Beach County. School assignments depend on your address, so check the district's attendance boundaries or call the school office. The district's Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program serves students with autism from Pre-K through high school, and what it looks like depends on each child.
If your child is already enrolled, start with the school's ESE coordinator. If your child is about 3 to 5 and not in public school, FDLRS Alpha Child Find offers free developmental screenings without a doctor's referral or insurance. For a child under 3, the program is Treasure Coast Early Steps from Easterseals Florida, and parents can refer.
Free local help worth knowing about
You do not have to wait for a start date to get support. These are free or low cost:
- FAU CARD offers free developmental screenings, consultation, training and referrals. It does not provide therapy or diagnosis. Its offices are on the FAU campuses in Boca Raton and Jupiter, and it serves all of Palm Beach County.
- The 2-1-1 Special Needs Helpline can point you to services for children up to age 22.
- John Prince Park, a large county park on Lake Osborne just outside the village, has open space for burning energy. Go at a quiet time of day if crowds are hard for your child.
- The county library system runs Sensory Friendly Browsing Hours. The Lantana Road Branch (4020 Lantana Road) and the Main Library (3650 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach) are both within a short drive.
What the first BCBA visit is like
The BCBA visit is a getting-to-know-you, not a test. The analyst spends time with your child and with you, notices what your child does well first and what is hard second, and listens to what matters most at home. From that conversation come goals you can see and celebrate, such as a first request with words, a calmer bedtime or sitting through a family dinner.
Bring your questions, your child's favorite toy and any reports or school papers you already have. Nothing is wrong if you have none.
Coverage, step by step
Florida Medicaid generally pays for ABA for children under 21 when it is medically necessary. Florida also requires many private health plans to cover ABA for children with an autism diagnosis. Paramount serves Medicaid members of Molina Healthcare, Sunshine Health, Children's Medical Services Health Plan and Community Care Plan. Plan rules for new families can change, so call us to check your plan and we will tell you where things stand.
From your first call to the first session
One: a free consultation, booked as soon as you call. Two: we check your plan with you. Three: a BCBA meets your child and learns what they love and what is hard. Four: sessions start. We have no waitlist: we have openings. What usually sets the pace after that is the paperwork (the doctor's order, the diagnostic evaluation and the insurance or Medicaid authorization) and your family's schedule.
Ready to begin? Fill in the quick request form or call (561) 421-0047.
How soon can ABA start in Palm Springs?
We have no waitlist: we have openings, and we schedule the initial consultation as soon as you call. What usually sets the pace after that is the paperwork (the doctor's order, the diagnostic evaluation and the insurance or Medicaid authorization) and your family's schedule.
What if my child has no diagnosis yet?
Most plans ask for an autism diagnosis before ABA begins. Call anyway, and we will talk about the next steps. FAU CARD and Child Find can also help with screening.
Is the first BCBA visit a test for my child?
No. It is a chance for the BCBA to get to know your child, strengths first, and to hear your goals. There is nothing to pass or fail.
Can the therapist speak Spanish with my child?
Yes. Part of our team is bilingual, and sessions can be in Spanish or in both languages.