In-Clinic ABA Therapy
ABA Therapy is clinically proven to improve communication, social skills, and independence.
Our Centers
The Place for Children with Autism provides autism therapy in a daycare- or preschool-like environment.
Now Enrolling
You are your child’s biggest advocate, & we’re here to empower you with tools and support that make a difference.
We’re Not a “One-Size-Fits-All” Autism Therapy Center
Every child is unique. We customize our treatment to meet the needs of your little one.
Harnessing Early Developmental Years for Lifelong Success
Our ABA therapy supports children during those crucial early years to prepare them for school success.
Core Services
Social Skills & Communication
Independent and group peer play, turn-taking and sharing, social cues and social problem-solving
Independent Living Skills
Potty training, dressing, toothbrushing, self-advocacy
Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists help children express themselves, connect with others, and participate in the world around them
Behavior Therapy
Reduce challenging behaviors and teach positive replacement behavior
School Readiness Skills
Participation in daily activities, following instructions, independent task completion, transitioning between activities
Safety Skills
Danger awareness, street and car safety, and more
Who We Are:
Chicagoland’s Trusted ABA Therapy Provider
At The Place, we’re more than just an ABA therapy practice – we’re a team dedicated to providing the highest quality care to your family. We’re proud to deliver the expertise and resources of a national company to our local communities across Chicagoland.
Why Families Choose The Place
At The Place, we’re committed to more than therapy sessions. Through personalized clinical care, family partnership, and intentional preparation for school and lifelong success, we help children build skills that last far beyond the therapy center.
Expert Clinical Oversight
Your child is supported by an experienced clinical team that may include Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Student Behavior Analysts (SBAs), Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Clinical Lead Supervisors (CLS), and Clinical Support Supervisors (CSS). Because our clinicians maintain smaller caseloads, they are able to provide more oversight, collaboration, program review, and individualized support throughout your child’s therapy journey.
A Team Your Child Knows & Trusts
While your child works one-on-one with a Registered Behavior Technician each day, they are supported by a thoughtfully paired team of therapists who understand their strengths, interests, motivations, and goals. Working with multiple trusted team members helps children build flexibility, generalize skills across environments, and prepare for success in school and everyday life.
Family Partnership Beyond Therapy
Progress doesn’t stop when your child leaves the center. Through individualized caregiver collaborations, family education, and ongoing support, we partner with parents to develop practical strategies that help children thrive at home, in the community, and beyond.
Building Skills for School, Home & Life
Our goal isn’t simply helping children make progress during therapy. We help families prepare for success in everyday life, from building independence at home to supporting smooth transitions into school and future environments.
Caregiver Collaborations
Families receive individualized support from their child’s clinical team through one-on-one caregiver collaborations. Together, we address goals that matter most to each family, such as:
Potty training ● Morning routines ● Mealtime success ● Communication ● Building independence ● Community transitions ● Managing challenging behaviors
School Readiness
Children work on skills that support confidence and success in classroom environments, including:
Following group instructions ● Communication skills ● Peer interactions ● Independent work skills ● Transitions between activities ● Daily living skills
Transition Planning
As children prepare for preschool, kindergarten, or another educational setting, our team collaborates with families and school staff to help ensure a successful transition through shared goals, planning, and ongoing support.
When it’s time for the next step, we’re already helping your child prepare for it.
Meet Your Child’s Support Team
While your child works one-on-one with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) each day, they are supported by an entire team of clinicians who collaborate to oversee progress, coach staff, and ensure therapy remains personalized and effective.
Your child
RBT team
SBA/BCBA/CSS team
Clinic Leadership
Family Support Team
Your child gains more than a therapist. They gain an entire team invested in their success.
Recognized for excellence in autism therapy
ABA Therapy
ABA Therapy
Need a Diagnosis?
To begin any type of autism therapy, a formal evaluation and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is required. If your child has not yet received an evaluation, we will connect you with a qualified provider to get an appointment with little to no wait.
Not ready? Complete an autism screening test to find out if further evaluation is needed.
FAQs
What is ABA therapy?
ABA therapy, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is a research-backed approach that helps people with autism learn new skills to live more fulfilling lives. It works by understanding how behavior is influenced by the environment and using positive reinforcement to encourage healthy actions. It is research-based, data-driven, and a proven, effective therapy option for reducing challenging behaviors while improving communication, social, and independent living skills.
Will my child retain their individuality?
Yes! Our team is committed to providing care that is focused on reinforcement, not punishment. The quality of ABA therapy can vary greatly depending on the practitioner’s training philosophy. At The Place, all our clinicians follow a strict code of ethics and are dedicated to your child’s happiness and success. We focus on building skills in a school-like environment that encourages natural play, friendships, and other enriching activities that strengthen their individuality, not diminish it.
Is ABA therapy effective?
ABA therapy is widely recognized as effective for teaching skills and reducing challenging behaviors. ABA therapy is endorsed by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the U.S. Public Health Service. Additionally, it is the only evidence-based therapy recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Institute of Mental Health for treating autism.
Long-term improvement in quality of life depends on several factors, such as parental involvement, the expertise of practitioners, and the consistency of treatment. At The Place for Children with Autism, 95% of our surveyed parents agree or strongly agree that their family’s quality of life has improved since their child began treatment (industry average: 84%). We are committed to promoting long-term results with individualized care and consistent monitoring.
Will insurance cover ABA therapy?
Illinois requires commercial insurance plans to cover ABA therapy! Currently, we accept:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Northshore
- Medicaid and HealthCare.gov
- Health Alliance
- ComPsych
The amount of coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. We know navigating costs can be overwhelming. Our Client Account Family Support team will work with you to assess insurance coverage, calculate out-of-pocket costs, and find financial assistance opportunities.
How involved will I need to be?
Parents play a crucial role in ABA therapy because they help reinforce the skills and strategies learned during therapy in real-life settings. We require families to attend parent training meetings once a month to discuss progress, address concerns, and teach basic ABA principles to support your child’s development.
We understand that the time commitments of ABA can be stressful. Our parent and caregiver training is designed to ultimately make treatment smoother down the road.
Not ready? Complete an autism screening test to find out if further evaluation is needed.
Getting Started
Meet our staff and tour a center
Schedule a tour of a center near you and meet the team who will be supporting your child. We’re happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have. View locations.
Insurance & Financial Assistance
We’re here to help make autism therapy affordable. Our dedicated staff will help you navigate insurance, calculate out-of-pocket costs, and connect you with additional financial assistance opportunities. Learn more about how to pay for autism therapy.
Enrollment
Our goal is to make enrollment as easy and stress-free as possible so you can focus on your child’s care. Schedule a meeting with our expert clinicians to discuss your child’s needs, set goals, and develop a customized treatment plan. Contact us using the form below to get started.