ABA Therapy for Toddlers in Northern New Jersey
TEAM Behavioral Consultants provides early intervention ABA therapy in NJ for children 18 months to 3 years old. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) builds an individualized, play-based plan around your toddler’s early communication, play and learning skills — and coaches you to support those skills every day.
Our early intervention program is home-based, so learning fits into the routines your toddler already has: playtime, snack, getting dressed, bath time and bedtime. No commute, and skills are taught right where your child will use them.
The early years are a time of rapid learning, and acting on concerns early matters. You do not need to wait and see — if you have questions about your child’s development, talk with your pediatrician and reach out to us.
Ages 18 Months–3 YearsHome-BasedPlay-BasedBCBA-SupervisedParent Coaching
Early Skills We Focus On
- Imitation - Copying actions, sounds, words and movement games — one of the building blocks of early learning.
- Functional Communication - Requesting, making choices and getting a caregiver's attention, using words, signs, pictures or a device.
- Play Skills - Exploring toys, early pretend play, and playing alongside and with other children.
- Joint Attention & Engagement - Sharing interest in people and things, responding to their name and taking turns in simple games.
- Following Simple Directions - Understanding everyday words and short instructions, and staying with an activity a little longer.
- Early Self-Help - Mealtimes, dressing, clean-up and the transitions between daily routines.
- Reducing Challenging Behavior - Teaching communication and coping skills that replace tantrums or unsafe behavior.
How Early Intervention ABA Works
- 1Assessment
- 2Individualized Treatment Plan
- 31:1 ABA Therapy
- 4BCBA Supervision
- 5Family Collaboration
1. Assessment
A BCBA observes your toddler, talks with you about daily routines and priorities, and identifies strengths and areas of need.
2. Individualized Treatment Plan
The BCBA writes a plan with specific, measurable goals for your child — built around play and the moments that already happen in your home.
3. One-on-One ABA Therapy
A trained behavior therapist works with your toddler through play, routines and short, engaging activities that match a young child’s attention span.
4. BCBA Supervision
Your child’s BCBA supervises sessions, reviews progress data and updates goals as your toddler learns.
5. Family Collaboration
Parent coaching is part of every early intervention program, so the strategies continue between sessions.
Parent Coaching Is Part of Every Program
Toddlers spend most of their day with their families, which makes parents and caregivers the most important people on the team.
Your BCBA will show you practical ABA strategies you can use during everyday routines — how to encourage a request at snack time, build turn-taking into play, or make transitions smoother — and help you practice them until they feel natural.
Parent coaching helps skills carry across your child’s whole day, and helps you feel confident supporting your child’s development long after each session ends.
ABA and New Jersey’s Early Intervention System
New Jersey’s Early Intervention System (NJEIS) serves children with developmental delays or disabilities from birth until their third birthday. If you are concerned about your child’s development, you can contact NJEIS directly at (888) 653-4463 to ask about an evaluation.
NJEIS costs are based on family income, and families earning less than three times the federal poverty level receive services at no cost. ABA therapy through your health insurance is separate from NJEIS services — one doesn’t replace the other, and with your permission our team can coordinate with your NJEIS providers.
At age three, services for children with developmental delays typically move to your local school district. Project Child Find, (800) 322-8174, can help families of children 3 and older. ABA therapy with TEAM can continue past age three through our in-home and center-based programs.
Questions About Early Intervention ABA
What age is early intervention ABA therapy for?
Our early intervention ABA program is designed for children 18 months to 3 years old. Children older than three can receive ABA therapy through our in-home and center-based programs.
What does ABA therapy look like for a toddler?
It looks a lot like play. Sessions take place at home and use toys, games, songs and everyday routines — snack, getting dressed, clean-up — to teach early skills such as imitation, communication, play and following simple directions. Activities are short and follow your child's interests.
Does my toddler need an autism diagnosis to start?
For insurance-funded ABA therapy, a diagnosis is generally required, and requirements vary by plan. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits. New Jersey's Early Intervention System serves children with developmental delays and does not require an autism diagnosis.
Is early intervention ABA the same as New Jersey Early Intervention (NJEIS)?
No. NJEIS is New Jersey's statewide program for children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities, with costs based on family income. Early intervention ABA with TEAM is ABA therapy, typically funded through health insurance. They are separate, and one doesn't replace the other.
What happens when my child turns three?
NJEIS services end at a child's third birthday, and services for developmental delays typically move to the local school district. ABA therapy with TEAM can continue through our in-home and center-based programs, and our BCBAs can support families through the transition to school services.
How involved are parents in early intervention ABA?
Very. Parent coaching is part of every early intervention program. Your BCBA shows you strategies to use during everyday routines, so your toddler practices new skills throughout the day, not just during sessions.
Helpful Resources for Families
In-Home ABA TherapyOne-to-one therapy in your home
Autism TreatmentHow we treat autism with ABA
What Is ABA Therapy?The fundamentals, explained for parents
Insurance & CoverageCarriers, verification and the NJ mandate
Kidz Connect MinisSocial skills group for ages 3–5
Family ResourcesNJEIS, milestones and more
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.
