I’m interested in services, what are the next steps?
Give us a call or send an email! We’ll reach out promptly and tell you more details about our service. We want to hear about your child and make sure we have the appropriate clinical experience to be a great match for your family. If so, we can set up an initial consultation.
Do you take insurance?
We are out of network with all insurers. Our clients pay us at the end of the month, and then submit for reimbursement. The percentage clients get back varies according to the rules and contract with their insurance carrier.
Can you help us figure out our insurance benefits?
Yes! We have an insurance expert we work with who will look at your policy and explain what you can expect back. We will also pre-authorize services when required by your plan for ABA services. Learn more about Insurance & Reimbursements here.
How old are the kids you work with?
We work primarily with children from 18 months to later elementary years. We do see some older children, and they are generally clients who have been with us since they were toddlers.
Where do you work?
We work in our clients’ home and schools. Our office is for administrative purposes only. We serve Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Do you have therapists who work on the weekends?
Occasionally, yes! Most of our therapists are career autism professionals with many years of experience. Many have their own families. So while we would love to provide weekend services, it is really determined by the therapist availability. The vast majority of our services are Monday through Friday.
Will you work with my child’s other service providers, such as an occupational therapist?
Yes! We welcome collaboration with other professionals.
I want to get an evaluation for my child. Do you diagnose children?
We do not but we can recommend people who do! Please get in touch.
What should I look for in an ABA therapy provider?
The most important elements when hiring an ABA provider are 1) Someone who loves kids and shows enthusiasm for the work! This piece can’t be taught and is organic to strong BCBAs. 2) Experience- While the field has changed in the past ten years due to licensing, our position is that obtaining the BCBA is the beginning of a provider’s career. In most fields, newly licensed and certified providers still benefit from working with similarly credentialed people with decades of experience and our field is no exception. 3) The BCBA/LBA – If your provider has these educational pieces in place, you’ll know the academic training is reviewed and found acceptable by the national BCBA.
How do ABA Services work in Manhattan apartments?
Manhattan is a wonderful area to receive ABA services! The population density makes it easier to access providers and most of our clients are able to live very close to their schools, related service providers, and their ABA therapists. So long as you have a room with toys, that is all we need to get started. As we get to know your child, we can suggest additional toys or materials that are helpful to have. BCBAs travel between their clients throughout the day and may have specified areas they practice in to work efficiently.
How long do ABA services last?
We tell families that the intensive services generally last for 3-5 years. As children transition to full time classroom placements, some families discontinue ABA while others continue their treatment program at a reduced level.
How do you know what goals to implement with my child?
We generate goals from a few sources- the formal assessment we do at the beginning of treatment shows the child’s areas of strengths and weaknesses. We target the weakest areas with a higher percentage of programming time but work to develop the child’s stronger areas as well. We talk with all families extensively and focus on places where the family is struggling- that can be anything from bedtime routines to haircuts. Those skills may not show up on formal assessments, but they are vital to helping life move more smoothly. Lastly, we observe how children are navigating their environments and are looking for skills that will ease difficulties. One of the best things about having BCBAs do the therapy directly is that the assessment process is happening daily!
20-30 hours a week sounds like so much therapy for a young child, is it too much?
We realize the numbers of therapy hours required for children on the spectrum sounds impossible at first! The reality is that children without developmental delays are learning all day long. We strive to create these same conditions for the clients we serve. Incorporated into those hours are meals, park trips, play time, and, sometimes, preschool. Our therapists often look like very engaged playmates. So while you will understand it’s play with a purpose, your child is having fun and learning new skills. Hours are built up gradually when we begin treatment.
My child was given a diagnosis. What do I do next?
Please call us! We will have our insurance expert look at your policy and explain your ABA benefits. We can also schedule a time to come to your home, and meet you and your child. We will explain the considerable research backing ABA services, and our treatment philosophy. We will meet your child and explain the first goals of your child’s treatment plan.
How long does it take to get the assessment done after the initial meeting?
Typically, the assessment can be started within two weeks. We will ask your insurance company to authorize the initial 8- to 12- hour assessment. Some families prefer to start immediately, while others feel most comfortable waiting until their insurance company has approved the assessment hours.
What happens during the assessment?
One of our skilled BCBAs will come to your home and begin to form rapport with your child through play and the use of positive reinforcement. She will test various age appropriate skills through conversation with you, direct observation, playing and probing skills with your child. If your child is in a school placement, the BCBA will observe in the group environment as well. From this assessment and observation, a report and approximately 30 goals will be generated. This report will then be provided to your insurance company for approval.
We are approved! When do the intensive hours begin?
Once we have insurance approval, we’ll start with one BCBA, often the BCBA who performed the assessment. After a week or ten days, as we see the child is getting comfortable with the structure of the sessions, a second BCBA will be added onto the team. Most 20-30 hour per week treatment teams are composed of 3 or 4 BCBAs. We’ll add additional hours systematically to ensure your child is receiving a number of hours that is consistent with the ABA research and at a pace that is comfortable for your family.
I don’t have ABA benefits. Can I pay privately?
Yes, we do accept private pay patients. Some families prefer private pay for confidentiality reasons. Full treatment ABA programs are costly, however, so we’d recommend you consult with our insurance expert who may be able to help you find a plan that will cover ABA services for out of network providers.
Which neighborhoods do you work in?
We have worked in all Manhattan neighborhoods, including the Upper West Side, midtown, Tribeca, Financial District, Murray Hill, Upper East Side, Chinatown, East and West Village, and SOHO. Most of our Brooklyn clients have resided in Downtown Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, and Cobble Hill.
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Testimonials
Testimonials on this page and the site are solicited testimonials from professionals we have worked with and former clients.
“Sara Kahn and Dina Danzi are one of the most effective intervention teams in the New York Metropolitan area.”
Gary Mayerson, A Premier NYC-Based Autism Attorney
“Sara and Dina are immediately responsive, knowledgeable and excellent therapists so I always know the children will be getting the best intervention.”
Dr. Jennifer Cross, Developmental Pediatrician, Weill Cornell Medical Center
