How We Help

Applied Behavior Analysis is the science of human behavior.  It is the process of using systematic interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors in a way that’s meaningful for individuals and their families.

ABA is a scientifically proven and research-based treatment for people with autism.  It is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, National Academies of Science, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Autism Speaks, the Surgeon General, and numerous other organizations and institutions. 

“Children who receive an early intensive behavioral treatment have been shown to make substantial, sustained gains in IQ, language, academic performance, and adaptive behavior, as well as some measures of social behavior, and their outcomes have been significantly better than those of children in control groups.” – American Academy of Pediatrics

A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) will get to know you and your child in order to develop an individualized treatment plan.  A variety of assessments, interviews, or observations may take place depending on the needs of your child.

After an initial assessment and rapport-building, a therapist will structure sessions to an individual’s needs using proven teaching strategies that help children learn and build skills.  Data is collected during each session, and skills are worked on until the learner can use them independently in the natural setting they come in contact with.

Parents are the most important part of a child’s team.  An integral part of all our treatment plans involves parent/caregiver training.  We partner with parents and caregivers on a regular basis in order to teach them the ABA strategies that we are using in treatment to support their child’s development.  Parents and therapists will meet monthly (at a minimum) to review their child’s progress and address any questions or concerns.

New Connections will work with clients of any age. Whether it's a newly-diagnosed child to a young adult managing behavior challenges, we will meet you wherever your needs are.

Therapy can take place in a variety of settings—in our Bellevue clinic, at the client’s home, in school, or in other community settings, as appropriate.  It is important that therapy is performed in the setting best-suited to accomplish the client’s goals.

Though there can be some variability, most ABA sessions last two hours.

Normal business hours are 8:00 to 6:00 Monday through Friday.  However, we will schedule sessions to take place after hours or on weekends, subject to family needs and therapist availability.

Not necessarily.  We will have a therapeutic team that handles your child’s programming and treatment.  We will endeavor to have teams stay together so that your child can be seen consistently by the same therapists.  However, for various reasons, members of the team may change from time to time.

Your child’s team will be overseen by a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), who may do some, but not all, of the direct 1:1 therapy.  Most of the direct therapy will be performed by RBT’s (Registered Behavior Technician), who are supervised by BCBA’s.

That depends on the needs of the child and family.  Therapy can occur as often as 20 hours a week (or sometimes even more), or it can be two hours a week or less.  And anything in between.  Each child is evaluated individually and a treatment plan is created that meets the needs and goals of the client and the family.

Without a doubt! Parent training is a critical component of ABA therapy.  A successful ABA program can lead to a much more pleasant and fulfilling home life for the whole family.

Yes! ABA principles can be used to shape behavior in any setting.  

Insurance coverage for ABA in Tennessee is inconsistent, at best.  Some plans have generous benefits, others none at all.  We will work with you to help navigate the insurance minefield and do our best to maximize the benefits available to you, as appropriate to your child’s needs.

We do work with self-funded clients, and we take family affordability into account as we make our treatment recommendations.

Whether your services are covered by insurance or you are a self-funded client, you will be billed once a month.  Payment is due within 30 days of invoice date.

We are eager to collaborate with members of your child’s school team.  The best results are achieved when everyone is on the same page and consistency is maintained.

No.  We do behavior therapy on clients that, for the most part, already have diagnoses.  If you are trying to obtain a diagnosis, we can refer you.