We work through your daily routines
We don't pull your child out for therapy but coach you through the moments that already happen: diaper changes, meals, playtime, bedtime, so therapy is woven into your actual life.
Early intervention ABA therapy for children under 3 in NC, GA, MD
The earlier, the better
The first three years matter most because your child's brain is building neural pathways at lightning speed. Starting early means a lifelong difference.
What is Early Intervention ABA Therapy?
Early intervention ABA therapy is evidence-based behavioral treatment for children under age 3, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst works with you to create plans that fit your child's development and your family's daily routines while a Registered Behavior Technician coaches you through real moments: feeding, play, transitions, communication, building your child's foundational skills. You're the primary therapist, your home is the classroom, and your daily routines are the practice ground where progress happens through everyday interactions.
Insurance coverage for early intervention
We accept Medicaid and most major insurances
Most families in North Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland can access early intervention ABA through insurance and your state's early intervention program, and Medicaid often covers it with no out-of-pocket cost. We coordinate with both your insurance and your early intervention team.
North Carolina
Maryland
How early intervention ABA actually works
What to expect
You're the primary therapist
You're with your child all day, and we teach you to recognize opportunities for learning, then you implement strategies hundreds of times per week so your child learns from the person they trust most.
We coach in real time
Our therapist watches you interact with your child, sees what's working, offers suggestions, and you try them immediately so you learn by doing, not by listening to lectures.
We coordinate with early intervention
If your child is in an early intervention program, we work alongside that team, your IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) goals guide what we target, and we communicate with your service coordinator.
We adjust to your child's development
A 12-month-old learns differently than a 24-month-old, so we meet your child where they are developmentally and celebrate small wins: first sounds, first words, first intentional gestures.
We support your whole family
We understand that having a young child with developmental delays is stressful, and we're here to build your confidence, answer your questions, and help you feel competent as your child's parent and teacher.
Why early matters so much
The real difference
Your child's brain is developing faster now than it ever will again, and the first three years set the foundation for everything that comes later. Early intervention isn't about forcing your toddler to perform but about teaching you to recognize and respond to learning opportunities throughout your day, and small, consistent interactions compound into major developmental gains. Early ABA through your natural routines is the most effective intervention possible at this age because your child learns from the people they love most, in the places they're most comfortable, during moments that matter.
A day with Liam: Early progress in action
What early intervention looks like
Liam is 18 months old, he's not talking yet, he doesn't point or gesture, and he doesn't look at you when you call his name. His parents are worried but hopeful and are told early intervention could help.
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Week 1: Assessment
Our BCBA meets with Liam's parents at home and observes Liam during normal routines: breakfast, playtime, diaper change, bedtime. What sounds is he making, does he respond to his name, what does he seem interested in, and how do his parents interact with him? They see that Liam makes a few sounds but no words, doesn't respond to his name, likes spinning toys more than interacting with people, and his parents are doing their best but aren't sure how to encourage communication.
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Week 2: Teaching Parents
During breakfast, the BCBA coaches Liam's mom: "Before you give him the banana, wait and look at his eyes, make it interesting, and say 'banana?' If he looks at you or makes any sound, that counts, give it to him." His mom tries, Liam looks, and she gives the banana. "That's it! He just learned that looking gets him what he wants, so do this 50 times a day and watch what happens." During playtime: "Put the toy he wants just out of reach and when he reaches, he's communicating 'I want that,' so make it a big deal, say 'You want the toy!' and give it because he's learning cause and effect." His dad tries, Liam reaches, his dad celebrates, and Liam smiles.
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Week 3–4: Small Wins Compound
Liam's parents are now intentionally creating teaching moments throughout the day: reaching for juice is a teaching opportunity, looking at mom means celebrate it, and making a sound is communication. Liam makes a new sound, something that sounds like "ba," his mom gets excited, she repeats it back, he does it again, and this repeats dozens of times. His parents are amazed at how much their child is already trying to communicate and realize they were just missing it before.
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Week 5–6: Real Change
Liam is making more sounds, he's pointing at things, and he's looking when you call his name, not every time but sometimes, and it's happening naturally during meals, play, and diaper changes everywhere. His parents are more confident, they're not panicking, they're seeing their son try, and they're responding in ways that encourage more trying.
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Week 8–12: Foundation Building
Liam has several sounds that are becoming more consistent, he's pointing, he's looking at people, and he's starting to engage in simple back-and-forth play, so his foundation is being built not through forced therapy but through daily interactions his parents now understand and can leverage.
The Point:
This is Liam's actual early life with expert guidance, skills are built through natural routines, his parents are empowered, and the foundation for future learning is being established.
The developmental shifts parents see
Before and after: early milestone progress
Communication
Before Few or no words; limited sounds
After 3–6 Months More sounds; beginning words or consistent gestures
Social engagement
Before Doesn't respond to name; limited eye contact
After 3–6 Months Responds to name; seeks eye contact; enjoys interaction
Intentional gestures
Before No pointing or reaching
After 3–6 Months Points at things; reaches for what he wants
Play
Before Repetitive play with objects; isolated
After 3–6 Months Beginning to engage with parents; turn-taking in simple games
Response to instructions
Before Doesn't follow simple directions
After 3–6 Months Beginning to respond to familiar routines and simple words
Parent confidence
Before Anxious, unsure how to help
After 3–6 Months Confident; recognizing learning opportunities; actively coaching
This is what happens when parents learn to leverage everyday moments for learning.
Start My Child's TransformationIs early intervention ABA right for your child?
Signs your child might benefit
Early intervention ABA is evidence-based treatment for children under age 3 with developmental delays or autism concerns, and if your child shows several of these, an evaluation is worth pursuing:
Communication and Language:
Limited or no words by 18 months, few sounds or vocalizations, doesn't respond to their name, and limited back-and-forth interaction or "turn-taking" in sounds or gestures.
Social and Play:
Limited eye contact or social engagement, doesn't show interest in interacting with people, repetitive or solitary play with no interest in toys or activities, and doesn't reach, point, or gesture to communicate.
Motor Development:
Slow reaching, rolling, or crawling, difficulty with fine motor skills (grasping, picking up small objects), and unusual muscle tone (too floppy or too stiff).
Behavioral Patterns:
Repetitive movements or behaviors (spinning, lining up toys, hand flapping), unusual sensory responses (covers ears, avoids certain textures), and limited response to their name or familiar sounds.
Family History or Concerns:
Family history of autism or developmental delay, your pediatrician expressed concerns, you have a gut feeling something is different, and you've noticed your child isn't meeting typical milestones.
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Important: Early intervention is often provided free or low-cost through your state's program (usually called "Birth to Three" or "Early Intervention"). Contact your state's early intervention program to request an evaluation, and if your child qualifies, ABA can be part of that program.
The actual cost breakdown
Insurance, coverage, what you'll pay
State Early Intervention Programs (FREE):
Every state offers free developmental screening and early intervention services (funded by federal law, Part C of IDEA), and if your child qualifies, services are often free or low-cost based on your income. This is where most early intervention starts.
Medicaid Coverage:
If your child qualifies for Medicaid, ABA therapy is covered with usually no out-of-pocket cost, and it often coordinates with your state's early intervention program.
Commercial Insurance (Some Plans):
Some commercial plans cover ABA for young children, coverage varies, and often includes annual limits with out-of-pocket costs that vary by plan.
What We Do:
We help you navigate your state's early intervention program, coordinate with your service coordinator, verify insurance, and make sure you understand all available options and costs.
Where early progress actually happens
The skills we build in the first three years
Your child is developing foundational skills, and we work on communication and language foundations, social engagement and connection, intentional gestures and pointing, playing and turn-taking with others, response to simple routines and words, following simple directions, and independence with basic self-care. All of it happens during your natural family routines: meals, diaper changes, playtime, bedtime, woven into your real day.
You're the expert on your child
Parent coaching for the earliest learners
With very young children, parents are the primary teachers, so we coach you to recognize your child's communication attempts, teach you to create learning opportunities naturally, and help you understand your child's development and what to expect next. This is partnership at the deepest level: supporting you to support your child.
What we won't say (and why it matters)
How we actually coach early learners
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"Your child is behind and needs to catch up."
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Development is a range, and we meet your child where they are and help them move forward from there with no comparison to other kids.
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"You need to do therapy drills at home."
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Young children learn through play and natural interaction, not drills, so we teach you to recognize teaching moments in your actual day.
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"This will be fixed by age 3."
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Early intervention is about building foundations, not "curing" autism, and progress continues throughout childhood and beyond.
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"You're doing it wrong."
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You're learning and every parent is learning, so we coach you, not criticize you, and you're doing your best for your child.
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"Your child should be in therapy more."
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Quality matters more than quantity at this age, and consistent, responsive parenting throughout the day beats intensive clinic therapy.
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"You shouldn't expect so much yet."
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Your child is capable of more than you might think, and we help you recognize their abilities and build on them.
From first concern to early progress
Getting started: five steps
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Step 1: Request an Evaluation
Contact your state's early intervention program (usually called "Birth to Three" or "Early Intervention"), and they'll do a free developmental screening. This is often the first step.
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Step 2: BCBA Assessment
If your child qualifies for early intervention, we can be part of that team, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst meets with your family, observes your routines, and understands your concerns and goals.
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Step 3: IFSP Development
If your child qualifies for early intervention, an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) is created, and ABA coaching can be part of that plan so we work with your service coordinator to align goals.
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Step 4: Insurance and Authorization
We verify what's covered through early intervention and any insurance you have, and we make sure everything is authorized and coordinated.
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Step 5: Parent Coaching Begins
Our RBT or BCBA starts coaching sessions, we work during your natural routines, we teach you strategies, you implement them throughout your day, and progress compounds.
Serving families from birth through age 3
Early intervention in your community
Apex ABA provides early intervention ABA coaching throughout North Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland, and we work with your state's early intervention program and coordinate with your service coordination team.
North Carolina
We help families navigate these systems and access services.
View All LocationsWhy families choose early intervention ABA with us
What parents tell us
We understood what our child was trying to do
We learned to see our baby's communication attempts, we recognize when they're learning, and we respond in ways that encourage more learning.
We became our child's teacher
We're not outsourcing our child's development but learning to support it, and we're more confident and connected to our child's progress.
Our concerns were taken seriously
We knew something was different, we were told to wait and see, but early intervention gave us answers and a plan, and we're so grateful we got help early.
This is the best investment we could make
Early intervention now prevents so many struggles later, and the earlier we started, the better the outcomes, so we wish we'd started sooner.
What the research says
Why early intervention matters
CDC on Early Intervention
Early identification and intervention improve developmental outcomes for children with autism and developmental delays
Critical Period
The first three years are the most critical period for brain development, and early intervention during this window has the strongest long-term impact
Parent-Coached ABA
Research shows parent-implemented ABA in the early years produces better outcomes than later intervention alone
Natural Environment Learning
Studies indicate children learn best in natural environments (home, daily routines) rather than clinical settings, especially in early childhood
Long-Term Outcomes
Children who receive early intervention have better school readiness, stronger social skills, and greater independence over time
Common questions answered
FAQs
If you have any concerns about your child's development, request a free evaluation from your state's early intervention program and they'll assess whether your child qualifies for services.
Yes, developmental screening is free in every state, and services are also free or low-cost based on your income because this is funded by federal law.
As soon as you have concerns, and even babies a few months old can benefit, so the earlier the better.
Typically 1–2 times per week for coaching sessions, depending on your child's needs, and sessions are usually 1–2 hours focused on your real routines.
No, early intervention happens in your home during your natural routines because that's where learning matters most at this age.
If your child doesn't qualify for the state program, we can still provide coaching through insurance, and we'll help you understand your options.
Until your child turns 3, and then your child would transition to preschool services (if needed) or your school district's special education program.
That depends on your child's progress and continued needs because early intervention is an investment in foundational skills that support later learning.
Ready to start your child's journey early?
The first three years matter more than you know.
Early intervention isn't about therapy rooms or intensive schedules but about helping you see your child's abilities and respond in ways that nurture development, and it's about building foundations now that will serve your child their whole life. Early is always better. Let's start.
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