FAQ's

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• How will ABA therapy help my child?

  ABA therapy will address the developmental deficiencies identified during an initial assessment of your child’s functioning across dozens of areas. With children on the autism spectrum, this often includes areas of verbal communication, like the ability to converse with parents and peers, request items, and communicate emotions and needs. Nonverbal communication, like making gestures and understanding social cues, can also be developed.
  Other important target areas of ABA include social skills, play skills, potty training, self-care skills (brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.), and day-to-day living skills (getting dressed, table manners, etc.).

• When is the best time for my child to begin ABA therapy?

  Early Intervention is essential to start the progress for your child but if you receive a late diagnosis, you are headed in the right direction by being an advocate for your child. Let us help you get the process started today!
  Plenty of clinical research has demonstrated that children who start ABA therapy as early as possible (~2 years old) make the most significant improvements in their areas of deficit. In fact, children who received early intensive ABA therapy progressed to the point of being virtually indistinguishable from their neurotypical peers.

• Does my child have to have a formal autism diagnosis to get treatment?

  Children are not required to have a diagnosis for treatment but do need a formal diagnosis in order to receive coverage from insurance providers.

• What are your hours of operation?

  Koala Academy Pediatric Therapies is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Before and After School Care is available to accommodate parent’s busy schedules.

• How long are speech therapy sessions?

  Speech-language therapy sessions are 30 minutes The requirement is at least two sessions per week to be able to see improvement. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disorder, the age of the client, and associated physical, emotional, and social factors.

• How long are ABA sessions?

  Research supports reasonable progress and recovery from some forms of autism when treatment is received 20 to 40 hours per week for 2 to 3 years. It is recognized that some families may be unable to purchase such an extensive financial commitment; therefore, each family’s time and financial constraints will be considered when developing the treatment package.

• What are common symptoms of autism in childhood?

  Recognition and diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder is happening at earlier and earlier ages. Once frequently not recognized until past age three, many doctors, psychologists, and therapists have now established caution signs as early as middle infancy. Some children express difficulties as early as birth and others have few obvious symptoms until 24 months or later. Regardless, children with an autism spectrum disorder might:

  • Not respond to their name by 12 months
  • Not point to objects to show interest by 14 months
  • Not play pretend games by 18 months
  • Avoid eye contact
  • Want to be alone
  • Have difficulty understanding the feelings of others or expressing their own feelings
  • Have delayed or disordered speech and language skills
  • Repeat words and phrases over and over (echolalia)
  • Get upset with minor changes
  • Have obsessive interests
  • Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin themselves or objects
  • Over- or under-respond to the sensations of smell, sight, touch, sound

• What If My Child Does Not Have a Diagnosis of Autism?

  We Can Help! Please contact us to get a list of diagnosing physicians in your area. Insurance requires a formal diagnosis from a specialist. This would include a neuropsychologist or developmental pediatrician. Insurance does NOT accept a diagnosis from the school district or your normal pediatrician.