Frequently Asked Questions
ABA Services
What is ABA therapy?
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis, the science of learning and behavior. The goal of ABA therapy at Hope is for each child to gain independence by teaching functional skills through play.
Learn more about ABA Terms.
Learn more about Autism and ABA Therapy.
How will ABA help my child?
Every child at Hope has a unique set of strengths and opportunities to learn. Our team will focus on a child’s strengths and find ways to set up teachable moments within play and other natural routines.
Does my child have to have a medical diagnosis of autism in order to get treatment?
Yes, in order to bill insurance for ABA therapy, your child must have a medical diagnosis of autism.
What age range do you serve?
The Autism Clinic at Hope provides Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Therapy for children from 0-8 years old.
What insurances do you accept?
We are in-network with most major insurance companies and Medicaid. Please call us at 217-525-8332 if you want to check on your specific insurance plan
How do I initiate services for my child?
The first step is to apply online (click here). Once the application has been submitted, we will follow-up via email within 14 business days, notifying you if we have an opening, or if we are placing your child on the waitlist.
Will my insurance cover ABA therapy?
Prior to the start of any therapeutic services, we will check your insurance benefits and relay your coverage and any relevant details to you.
Do you have a summer program?
The Autism Clinic Hope does not provide an exclusive summer program for ABA services.
Do you after evening or weekend hours?
Our clinic hours are 8 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. We do not provide services in the evenings or on the weekends.
Diagnostic Services
Do you provide diagnostic services?
Currently, we provide diagnostic services for autism spectrum disorder at our Springfield, IL and O’Fallon, IL locations only.
What insurance do you accept?
We are in-network with most major insurances.
If your child has IL Medicaid, we have a grant through The Autism Program of IL (TAP), that provides funding for a limited number of autism evaluations.
Do I need a referral?
Your child does not need a referral in order to receive an autism evaluation. If you are interested in services, please apply HERE.
What age do you do evaluations for?
We complete autism evaluations from 18 months old to 18 years old.
Who conducts the evaluation?
Our diagnostic team consists of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow, and a Speech/Language Pathologist.
What happens as a part of the evaluation?
Our diagnostic team will choose assessments that are appropriate for your child based on their age, skill level, and presenting concerns. Most diagnostic evaluations will include a parent interview, questionnaires, a structured behavioral observation (such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition), and a cognitive assessment (IQ test). Some children will also meet with a speech/language pathologist to complete a language assessment.
Read more about the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition.
Can the provider diagnosis things other than autism?
While the primary focus of our diagnostic evaluations is to determine if a child meets the criteria for ASD, we also diagnose other disorders when appropriate. As part of our comprehensive evaluation, we routinely screen for conditions that often co-occur with ASD. If a specific diagnosis is beyond the scope of our evaluation, we may recommend additional assessment with a provider who specializes in that disorder.
Read about Frequent Comorbidities with ASD.