Resources for Families

Applied Behavior Analysis is the gold-standard, evidence-based therapy recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association for individuals with autism. ABA uses scientifically validated techniques — primarily positive reinforcement — to teach new skills, improve communication and social interaction, increase independence in daily living, and reduce behaviors that may interfere with learning. Every ABA program at A Gifted Journey is 100% individualized to your child's unique strengths, needs, and goals. Your child's Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs the treatment plan, and a trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) delivers 1:1 therapy sessions.

In most cases, yes. The majority of insurance providers require a formal Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis before they will authorize and cover ABA therapy services. This diagnosis is typically made by a licensed psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or neurologist through a comprehensive evaluation. If your child has not yet been evaluated, don't worry — we work closely with trusted diagnostic partners throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and can help connect you with a provider to get the process started quickly. We'll guide you through each step so you're never navigating it alone.

The number of recommended hours varies based on your child's individual assessment. Research shows that children who receive comprehensive ABA therapy (typically 25-40 hours per week) often make the most significant gains, particularly with early intervention. However, many children do very well with focused ABA therapy at 10-15 hours per week, especially if they are older or have more targeted goals. Your BCBA will conduct a thorough assessment and recommend a therapy schedule that balances clinical best practices with your family's lifestyle, school schedule, and other commitments. We never prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach — your plan is built around your family.

Yes, we accept Texas Medicaid as well as most major commercial insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, Magellan, and Humana. As of February 2022, Texas covers ABA therapy under Medicaid for eligible children. Our dedicated insurance team handles the entire process for you — from initial benefits verification and prior authorization requests to ongoing re-authorizations and even appeals if a claim is denied. We work hard to minimize your out-of-pocket costs and remove the insurance barrier so your child can get the help they need as quickly as possible. If you're unsure about your coverage, call us for a free benefits check.

We provide in-home, school-based, and community-based ABA therapy services throughout the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our current service areas include Dallas, Mesquite, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Balch Springs, Rowlett, Sachse, Wylie, and surrounding communities. Because we bring therapy to you — your home, your child's school, or community settings like parks and libraries — there's no need for long drives to a clinic. If you're unsure whether we serve your area, just give us a call and we'll let you know right away.

Unlike large corporate ABA chains where families can feel like a case number, A Gifted Journey is a locally-owned practice founded and led by a practicing BCBA, Jelisia Thompson. That means your BCBA knows your child's name, answers your calls directly, and builds treatment plans that reflect your family's unique values, culture, and goals — not a corporate template. We keep our caseloads manageable so that every family receives the attention and communication they deserve. We also take a strengths-based approach: instead of focusing on what's "wrong," we identify what makes your child extraordinary and build on those gifts. Our families consistently tell us that the personal relationship and genuine care is what sets us apart.

We understand that early intervention is critical, and we don't believe in making families wait months to get started. Here's our typical timeline: After your free initial consultation, our team verifies your insurance benefits within 48 hours. We then schedule your child's comprehensive BCBA assessment within 1-2 weeks. Once the treatment plan is developed and submitted for insurance authorization (which we handle entirely), therapy typically begins within a few days of approval. From first call to first session, most families are up and running in 2-4 weeks — significantly faster than many larger providers with long waitlists.

ABA sessions at A Gifted Journey are delivered 1:1 by a trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) under the ongoing supervision of your child's BCBA. Sessions take place wherever your child learns best — at home, at school, or in community settings. A typical session includes a mix of structured teaching activities and natural play-based learning. Your RBT will work on specific goals from your child's treatment plan, such as communication skills, social interaction, following routines, or self-care tasks. Positive reinforcement is used throughout — when your child demonstrates a target skill, they receive immediate praise, access to preferred activities, or other motivating rewards. Your BCBA regularly observes sessions, reviews data, and adjusts the program to keep progress on track. Parent training is also incorporated so you can reinforce skills at home.

Data collection is at the heart of ABA therapy. Your child's RBT records data during every session on each skill being targeted. Your BCBA analyzes this data regularly to measure progress, identify trends, and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. As a parent, you'll receive clear, visual progress reports on a regular basis — not vague verbal updates, but actual data showing how your child is growing across each goal area. We also hold regular parent meetings to review progress together, discuss any concerns, and collaboratively set new goals. You'll never be left wondering whether therapy is working.

Yes, parent and caregiver training is a core part of every treatment plan at A Gifted Journey. Research consistently shows that children make the most progress when ABA strategies are reinforced consistently across all environments — not just during therapy sessions. During parent training, your BCBA teaches you practical ABA techniques you can use at home, including how to reinforce positive behaviors, manage challenging situations, build communication opportunities into daily routines, and support skill generalization. These sessions are typically held monthly and are designed to be hands-on and practical — not lectures. We want you to feel confident and empowered as your child's most important advocate.

Absolutely. We offer school-based ABA support where our team collaborates directly with your child's teachers, aides, and school staff to implement ABA strategies in the classroom environment. This can include support with IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals, behavioral interventions during the school day, social skills development with peers, and teacher training on ABA techniques. We coordinate closely with the school to ensure consistency between therapy and the educational setting. School-based services are subject to school approval, and we handle the coordination process for you.

We provide ABA therapy services for individuals ages 2 through 18. Early intervention (starting as young as age 2-3) is associated with the best long-term outcomes, but children and teenagers of all ages can benefit significantly from ABA therapy. Whether your child is a toddler just beginning their developmental journey or a teenager working on social skills, daily living independence, or transition planning, we design age-appropriate programs tailored to their specific stage of life and goals. If your child is outside this age range and you have questions, please contact us — we're happy to discuss options and provide referrals if needed.

The duration of ABA therapy varies significantly based on each child's individual needs, goals, and rate of progress. Some children may benefit from intensive therapy for 1-2 years before transitioning to a reduced schedule, while others may continue with focused services for several years. Your BCBA continuously monitors your child's progress through data analysis and adjusts the treatment plan accordingly. As your child masters goals and becomes more independent, therapy hours are typically reduced gradually. The ultimate goal is always to equip your child (and your family) with the skills needed to thrive independently — ABA therapy is not meant to last forever, and we actively work toward a successful graduation from services.