Services for Early Learners

For children under age three

Helping Infants and Toddlers Reach Developmental Milestones

Taking advantage of the early years

The brain sciences tell us that children’s brains have the most “plasticity” in the first years of life, meaning they’re more adaptable to change through learning and experience. Your child’s brain, during this time period, forms thousands of synaptic connections between neurons—far more than needed. Then, as your child grows older, the brain eliminates connections used infrequently (a process known as “pruning”) and strengthens those connections activated most frequently.

For these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for autism at all 18- and 24-month well-visits—and starting treatment as soon as a developmental delay or autism is suspected.

Act early. Don’t delay.

What to Expect from Our Services for Early Learners

Infants and toddlers love to explore, observe, giggle, and play, as they begin to make sounds, move around, and take in the big, wide world around them. Our Services for Early Learners take place in your home and integrate your child and family’s natural lifestyle and routines. What do our services look like and help your child achieve?

	Cultivating Skills With our services, your child builds skills in the areas of communication, play, socialization, and personal independence.
	Learning through Play Using a play-based teaching model, our team promotes independence and learning in fun and engaging sessions. You can expect to see us on the floor, conducting “therapy” through the context of play at your child’s level!
	Assessing and Fine-Tuning Using the Early Start Denver Model, our BCBAs conduct formal assessments and direct observations, while collaborating with other specialty service providers, to continuously monitor your child’s functional and behavioral capabilities—and summarize the findings in your treatment plan. Updated periodically, the plan includes goals and objectives for your child’s treatment and evolves as your child grows and makes progress.

Understanding Your Child’s Eligibility

At AST, our providers’ Services for Early Learners are designed for children under three years of age, either with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of autism or a developmental delay.

Need help figuring out if you’re eligible? And what about your insurance coverage? We accept most health insurance plans, including Medicaid—and can help you navigate the insurance maze. Get in touch, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Find out more

Starting Services for Early Learners: Three Steps

1	Our Services for Early Learners start with an assessment, in which a clinician evaluates your child using the Early Start Denver Model or a comparable assessment.
2	Your clinician then works with you and your family to create a treatment plan based on your child’s assessment outcomes—and designed to help your child build skills and reach developmental milestones.
3	Treatment then begins in your home or Learning Center, with one of our exceptionally-trained behavior technicians (BTs) administering therapy, under the guidance and supervision of a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA).