ABA-Based Autism Treatment in Northern New Jersey
TEAM Behavioral Consultants provides autism treatment for children across Northern NJ through individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and delivered in your home, at our Flanders and Augusta centers, and in partnership with your child’s school.
Autism looks different in every child, so treatment should too. Your child’s program begins with an assessment of their strengths, needs and daily routines, and becomes a plan with measurable goals that matter to your family — communication, independence, play, safety and taking part in everyday life.
Our goal is not to change who your child is. It is to build skills that expand what your child can do and choose for themselves.
Understanding Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others and experiences the world. Clinicians diagnose it using the DSM-5, which looks at two areas: differences in social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities — which can include sensory differences.
Autism is common. The CDC estimates that about 1 in 31 children in the United States has been identified with autism.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified professional, such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, child psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits. If you have concerns at any age, start with your pediatrician.
What Autism Treatment Can Focus On
- Communication - A reliable way for your child to express wants, needs, feelings and choices — spoken words, signs, pictures or an AAC device.
- Social & Play Skills - Joining play, taking turns, sharing and connecting with siblings and peers, in ways that fit your child.
- Daily Living & Independence - Dressing, hygiene, toileting, mealtimes, chores and the routines that make family life run.
- Behavior & Emotional Regulation - Handling frustration, waiting, transitions and changes in routine, while reducing behaviors that affect safety or learning.
- Safety & Community Skills - Getting through stores, restaurants, appointments and playgrounds safely and successfully.
- School Readiness - Following group directions, taking part in activities and managing the transitions a classroom asks for.
- Generalizing Skills - Using new skills with different people and in different places, not just during therapy.
Every child’s goals are different. Your child’s BCBA works with your family to choose the priorities that will make the biggest difference right now.
Where Treatment Happens
The same clinical approach can be delivered in different settings. Your BCBA will recommend the right fit — or a combination — based on your child’s assessment and your family’s priorities.
In-Home ABA TherapyChildren & adolescentsOne-to-one ABA in your own home, built around the routines your family already has.
Center-Based ABA TherapyFlanders & Augusta, NJ1:1 therapy at our centers, with peers nearby for social, play and school-readiness skills.
School Support & ConsultationDistricts & familiesBCBA consultation, FBAs, behavior intervention plans and staff coaching.
Kidz Connect Social Skills GroupsAges 3–10 • small groupsSmall, age-banded groups where children practice social skills with real peers.
Getting Started After a Diagnosis
- 1Talk With Our Team
- 2Verify Your Benefits
- 3BCBA Assessment
- 4Individualized Treatment Plan
- 5Therapy & Ongoing Supervision
1. Talk With Our Team
Call (908) 377-0282 or contact us. We will learn about your child, answer your questions and explain which service settings are available near you.
2. Verify Your Benefits
We help you check what your insurance plan covers for ABA, including any documentation it requires — plans typically ask for a diagnostic report, and some also require a referral from your child’s physician. Learn how verification works.
3. BCBA Assessment
A BCBA learns about your child’s strengths, areas of need, daily routines and your family’s priorities.
4. Individualized Treatment Plan
The BCBA turns the assessment into a plan with specific, measurable goals — written for your child, not copied from a template.
5. Therapy & Ongoing Supervision
Your child works one-on-one with a trained behavior therapist, while the BCBA supervises sessions, reviews data and updates the plan as your child grows.
Support for the Whole Family
Parents and caregivers are an important part of every treatment team. Your BCBA works with you to understand what happens outside of therapy and to find strategies that realistically fit your family’s routines.
Parent and caregiver training helps you feel more confident using ABA strategies between sessions, so your child’s skills carry across the whole day.
ABA is often one part of a child’s care, alongside speech therapy, occupational therapy, school services and medical care. With your permission, your child’s BCBA can coordinate with those providers so everyone is working toward the same goals.
Questions About Autism Treatment
Is ABA therapy used to treat autism?
Yes. ABA is one of the most widely used therapies for autistic children, and it is the treatment New Jersey's autism insurance mandate specifically requires fully insured plans to cover when it is medically necessary. Many children also receive speech therapy, occupational therapy and school-based services alongside ABA.
Does my child need an autism diagnosis to start treatment?
For insurance-funded ABA therapy, a diagnosis is generally required, because coverage is written around medically necessary treatment. Requirements vary by plan, and we will help you find out what yours needs.
Our Kidz Connect social skills groups do not require a diagnosis.
Who can diagnose autism in New Jersey?
Autism is diagnosed by a qualified professional, such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, child psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist. If you have concerns, your pediatrician is a good place to start and can refer you for an evaluation.
How early can autism treatment start?
ABA can begin in the toddler years. Our early intervention ABA program is designed for children 18 months to 3 years, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits.
Will ABA therapy try to change my child's personality?
No. Good ABA is built around your child's motivation, communication and interests. The aim is to build skills that expand what your child can do and choose for themselves — not to make every child behave or socialize in the same way.
Is autism treatment covered by insurance in New Jersey?
Often, yes. New Jersey requires fully insured, state-regulated health plans to cover medically necessary ABA therapy for autism, and NJ FamilyCare covers medically necessary ABA for members under 21. Self-funded employer plans follow federal rules instead, and many still cover ABA. See our insurance page or contact us to verify your benefits.
Helpful Resources for Families
What Is ABA Therapy?The fundamentals, explained for parents
In-Home ABA TherapyOne-to-one therapy in your home
Center-Based ABA TherapyOur Flanders and Augusta centers
Early Intervention ABAFor toddlers 18 months to 3 years
Insurance & CoverageCarriers, verification and the NJ mandate
Family ResourcesTrusted New Jersey and national organizations
Talk With Our Team
Have a question about your child, or wondering whether ABA therapy is the right fit?
Share a few details and someone from our team will reach out to talk it through with you.
Insurance Plans We Work With
We work with the plans below for in-home and center-based ABA therapy. Coverage varies by plan — see insurance details. Ask us about coverage for Kidz Connect.
