Daily daycare routines create natural opportunities for learning. Arluna offers early intervention ABA therapy on-site for children attending daycare, for one-on-one help building school-readiness, communication, social interaction, and behavior skills during structured group activities, play, and transitions. Care is delivered with clear guidance for families and collaboration with daycare staff. Your child gets the support they need in the environment where they’re already learning!
Families choose therapy at daycare so children can build social, behavior, and early school readiness skills during the same routines and group activities they participate in each day, with support provided directly in their existing, familiar childcare setting.
At-daycare ABA therapy is integrated into a child’s regular childcare day, with support provided during group routines, play, and transitions. A registered behavior technician (RBT) works within the classroom environment and structure to help children participate in activities, respond to instructions, and engage with peers as situations naturally arise.
Care is delivered using an assent-based, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming approach that respects each child’s engagement and readiness to participate. Work in this setting helps children practice school readiness skills like following group directions, interacting with peers, and participating in structured routines, while supporting consistency between therapy goals and daycare expectations.
Children with autism may experience challenges in group settings where routines, peer interaction, and structured activities are part of the day.
This service may benefit children who need support with:
Therapy is built around the child’s daycare schedule and daily routines. Your therapist will collaborate with daycare teachers and staff to help your child develop meaningful skills that apply to everyday life.
Your child practices important school readiness skills during circle time, play, and other group routines.
Support with sharing, taking turns, and interacting with other children.
Help managing frustration or feeling overwhelmed in busy settings.
Practice with routines like snack time, potty training, cleanup, transitions, and classroom expectations.
Therapists coordinate with teachers to keep support consistent.
Help using words, gestures, or tools to ask for help and express needs.
Every child learns best when therapy matches their unique strengths and needs. Our ABA therapy focuses on helping each child communicate, engage, and navigate their world confidently, while honoring who they are. Families are active partners, supported with clear guidance and practical strategies, and our clinicians provide steady expertise to ensure progress carries into everyday life.
Good news: ABA therapy is covered by most major insurance plans due to federal and state mandates for children with a formal autism diagnosis. Coverage can vary by plan, but our team handles the process for you, including verifying benefits, obtaining prior authorizations, and explaining any out-of-pocket costs before services begin.
There is no additional “cost” for ABA therapy in a daycare setting.
You can view the insurance plans we currently accept on our homepage. If you don’t see your plan listed, reach out! Our team is always adding new partners and is happy to check your coverage.
Every child’s needs are different. Your child’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will determine recommended therapy hours based on a comprehensive assessment, your child’s goals, and insurance coverage requirements.
Some children benefit from ABA therapy for a shorter period to build foundational skills, while others may need longer-term support as they continue developing communication, social, behavioral, or school readiness skills. Therapy recommendations are reviewed regularly, with the goal of gradually reducing hours over time as children gain independence and make progress.
Honestly, it depends on the daycare, but many programs do allow on-site ABA therapy. In Maryland, childcare programs are generally required to make reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Maryland disability law. In many cases, allowing a therapist to provide support on-site may be considered a reasonable accommodation.
That said, there is no law that automatically guarantees every daycare must allow outside therapists. Each program may have its own policies, space limitations, or safety procedures, and accommodations are evaluated individually. Religious childcare programs may also have different legal obligations under the ADA.
Our team works directly with daycare providers to explain the therapy process, coordinate schedules, and help make on-site services as smooth and supportive as possible for both staff and your child.
Therapy takes place within the structure and curriculum of the childcare center. An ABA clinician works directly with your child during classroom routines, in coordination with teachers and staff.
Each child works on individualized goals within the classroom setting, building communication, social interaction, self-help skills, emotional regulation, and school readiness skills such as following group directions, transitioning between activities, and participating in classroom routines.
In-classroom support is provided based on the needs of your child, following a BCBA assessment and an individualized treatment plan. Depending on those recommendations and insurance authorization, an ABA clinician may be in the classroom full-time or for a set number of hours during the day.
Needs are regularly reviewed and reassessed, so the number of service hours may change over time.
Either way, support is built and adjusted around your child’s goals and the natural flow of the classroom routine.
We are accepting new clients! Complete our secure, HIPAA-compliant intake form to tell us about your child’s needs. Our intake team will review your information and reach out to discuss how therapy can support your child’s development.