Early Intervention ABA Therapy · Southeast Florida
The earlier ABA therapy begins, the greater the impact. Our board-certified BCBAs provide intensive early intervention ABA therapy for children ages 2 to 5 across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties. Play-based, naturalistic, and backed by decades of research.
Ages 2–5
Early Intervention
Strongest evidence window
100%
BCBA-Supervised
Every session, every case
4
Counties Served
Miami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach · Monroe
What Is Early Intervention ABA Therapy?
Early intervention ABA therapy is Applied Behavior Analysis delivered to children between the ages of 2 and 5. This window of time is when the brain is most flexible and most responsive to learning. Research consistently shows that children who begin intensive ABA therapy during these years make the largest and most lasting gains — in communication, social skills, adaptive behavior, and daily living.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Surgeon General, and the CDC all recommend early intensive behavioral intervention as the most effective treatment for young children with autism spectrum disorder. The earlier therapy begins after a diagnosis, the better the long-term outcomes for most children.
At Sunshine Behavioral Health Services, our early intervention program is play-based and naturalistic. Sessions do not look like drills. They look like play — because for young children, play is how learning happens. Every session is guided by a specific, data-tracked treatment plan designed by a BCBA around your child’s individual strengths, challenges, and family priorities.
What early intervention covers
✓
Communication and language development
✓
Functional play and imitation skills
✓
Social interaction with peers and caregivers
✓
Following instructions and daily routines
✓
Reduction of challenging behaviors
✓
Emotional regulation and self-calming
✓
Pre-academic and school readiness skills
✓
Adaptive daily living — dressing, eating, hygiene
✓
Parent training so progress extends to all settings
All goals are driven by a thorough Functional Behavior Assessment and reviewed regularly by your child’s BCBA.
The Research
Early intervention ABA therapy has one of the strongest evidence bases of any treatment for autism. Here is what decades of research tells us.
🧠
The developing brain is most flexible and most responsive to learning in the first five years of life. Interventions delivered during this window have a disproportionately large effect on long-term outcomes compared to the same intervention delivered later.
📊
Lovaas (1987) and subsequent studies found that up to 47% of children who received intensive early ABA therapy achieved near-typical intellectual and educational functioning. Later research has replicated and expanded these findings across different ABA models.
✅
Early intensive behavioral intervention is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Surgeon General, the CDC, and the National Institute of Mental Health as the most evidence-based treatment for young children with autism. Read more about the evidence →
How Our Program Works
Our early intervention program starts with a thorough Functional Behavior Assessment by a BCBA. The assessment evaluates your child’s current communication, play, social, and adaptive skills. It also looks at any challenging behaviors to understand what is maintaining them. This assessment is the foundation of everything that follows.
From the assessment, your child’s BCBA designs an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. Goals are set collaboratively — we ask what matters most to your family, what skills would make the biggest difference in your child’s daily life, and what you want therapy to achieve.
Sessions are delivered at home, at preschool, or in a center-based setting depending on your child’s needs. For young children, in-home therapy is often the most effective because it takes place in the environment where they actually live. Skills learned at home generalize faster because the setting is already familiar.
Sessions look like play. A therapist follows your child’s interests, creates natural learning opportunities within activities your child already enjoys, and uses positive reinforcement to build new skills. There are no drills, no aversives, and no rigid table-based instruction for toddlers and preschoolers. Modern early intervention ABA is warm, child-led, and joyful.
Every session is tracked with data. Your child’s BCBA reviews progress regularly and adjusts the treatment plan based on what the data shows. Families receive regular progress reports and are included in every major clinical decision. Parent training is built into every early intervention program.
Program structure
✓
10 to 40 hours per week depending on assessment
✓
Delivered at home, preschool, or center-based
✓
BCBA designs and supervises all treatment plans
✓
RBT delivers direct therapy under BCBA supervision
✓
Parent training included in every program
✓
Data collected every session
✓
Treatment plan reviewed every 3 to 6 months
✓
Progress reports provided to families regularly
✓
Coordination with preschool or daycare included
✓
Bilingual delivery in English and Spanish available
Most insurance plans cover early intervention ABA therapy
Florida law requires most plans to cover ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. Verify your coverage →
By Age Group
ABA therapy for toddlers and preschoolers looks different at every age. Here is how our approach adapts as your child grows.
Ages 2–3 · Toddlers
At this age our primary focus is functional communication — teaching your child to use words, signs, or pictures to express needs and wants. We also work on basic social skills, following simple instructions, and establishing daily routines. Read our toddler ABA guide →
Ages 3–4 · Early Preschool
As language begins to emerge, we build on it rapidly — expanding vocabulary, teaching two-word and three-word combinations, and introducing conversation skills. We also focus on play with peers, turn-taking, sharing, and emotional regulation. School readiness skills begin at this stage.
Ages 4–5 · Pre-Kindergarten
In the year before kindergarten, we focus on the skills your child needs to succeed in a classroom — following group instructions, tolerating transitions, managing sensory needs, participating in structured activities, and building peer relationships. Read our preschool ABA guide →
Signs to Watch For
Many families wait too long before starting ABA therapy — often because they are told to “wait and see” or because they are not sure what they are looking for. These are some of the signs that suggest your child could benefit from an early intervention evaluation.
You do not need a formal autism diagnosis to contact us. If you have concerns about your child’s development, reach out and we will help you understand the right next steps. Read our full guide on signs to watch for →
Language and communication
✓
No single words by 16 months
✓
No two-word phrases by 24 months
✓
Loss of language or social skills at any age
✓
Does not respond to their name by 12 months
✓
Limited pointing, waving, or showing objects
Social and behavioral
✓
Limited eye contact or social engagement
✓
Does not show interest in other children
✓
Repetitive movements or rigid routines
✓
Intense reactions to changes or transitions
✓
Challenging behaviors that disrupt daily life
Not sure? Contact us for a free consultation and we will help you assess whether an evaluation is appropriate.
The research is clearest for children between ages 2 and 5. Children who begin ABA therapy during this window make the most significant gains. However, even if your child is approaching school age, it is not too late — ABA therapy is effective at any age. If your child is under 5 and has received or is awaiting an autism diagnosis, do not wait. Contact us now →
Most insurance plans require a formal autism spectrum disorder diagnosis before authorizing ABA therapy. However, you do not need a diagnosis to contact us. We can help you understand the diagnostic evaluation process and navigate the next steps. If your child already has a diagnosis, we can typically begin the intake process within days. Learn about our diagnosis support →
For toddlers and preschoolers, sessions are play-based and naturalistic. The therapist follows your child’s interests, creates learning opportunities within activities your child already enjoys, and uses positive reinforcement to build new skills. Sessions do not look like drills or table-based instruction. They look like a fun, engaged adult playing purposefully with your child while carefully tracking every goal with data.
The recommended intensity for early intervention ABA therapy ranges from 15 to 40 hours per week, depending on your child’s needs, age, and goals. Your child’s BCBA will recommend a specific number of hours after the initial assessment. Insurance plans often have guidelines on authorized hours. Most families start with 20 to 25 hours per week and adjust as the program progresses.
Yes. Florida law requires most insurance plans to cover ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. This includes Medicaid, BCBS, Aetna, UHC, Cigna, and others. Our team verifies your insurance benefits at no cost before your first appointment. Verify your insurance →
Most children in intensive early intervention receive ABA therapy for 2 to 4 years, though this varies significantly based on the child’s progress and goals. Your child’s BCBA will review progress regularly and recommend reducing hours or transitioning out of services when your child is ready. The goal of early intervention is to build skills that allow your child to participate successfully in school and daily life with decreasing support over time.
Related Services
Early intervention ABA therapy works best when it is part of a coordinated approach. These services are commonly combined with our early intervention program.
Learn the same strategies your child’s therapist uses every session. Parent training is built into every early intervention program at no extra cost.
Every early intervention program begins with a thorough BCBA-led FBA to understand your child’s behavior and establish the right goals.
As your child approaches preschool or kindergarten age, school-based ABA therapy provides continuity between home and classroom goals.
Where We Serve
We provide early intervention ABA therapy across all major cities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties. In-home and telehealth services available throughout the region.
