Frequently Asked Questions
What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is based on the science of behavior analysis. It is used to analyze and modify behaviors, ultimately improving & encouraging autonomy and independence. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs and oversees personalized care plans, while a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) works directly with the child to implement those plans through one-on-one sessions that help build communication, social, and daily living skills. We service children ages 2-12, with pre-school aged children provided therapy in a clinic setting and children ages 6-12 provided therapy in home or school.
How do I know if ABA therapy is right for my child?
Each family and child's needs are different. A conversation with one of our skilled Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can help you all determine what will be best for your child at this time!
How often will my child receive ABA therapy?
With ABA therapy, consistency is key! Schedules are Monday-Friday, and our learners receive 20-35 hours of therapy depending on what the BCBA deems medically necessary. For younger kiddos on the autism spectrum, ABA therapy often replaces preschool as our clinical team curates a personalized care plan to prepare the learner for kindergarten.
Does Lighthouse Kids Centers for Autism diagnose ASD?
No, Lighthouse Kids does not diagnose children with ASD. We have a list of diagnosticians across Tennessee & Northern Georgia located under our Resources tab!
What insurances does Lighthouse Kids accept?
We accept a variety of commercial insurances, including: BCBS, TennCare, Aetna, UHC, Amerigroup/Wellpoint, Humana, Ambetter, All Savers, and all Georgia Medicaid(s). We do not accept self/private pay, Cigna, or TriCare.
What do I need to get started?
You will need to fill out an intake form and upload your child’s initial autism diagnostic report with scoring, a referral from your child’s pediatrician, and pictures of the front & back of insurance card(s). One of our administrators will be in touch to schedule an assessment within 24-48 hours of receiving an intake form! An administrator will ask you some questions about your learner’s current skill levels/behaviors. You will also receive our Guardian Handbook, Consent Forms, an Attendance Policy, and a questionnaire including additional questions regarding your learner. These all must be signed/filled out prior to the assessment.
What does an assessment for ABA therapy look like?
Caregivers and the learner must be present for the assessment. For the clinic setting, the caregivers and child will receive a tour of the clinic, and a BCBA will sit down with the caregivers and discuss what their concerns and goals are for their learner. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in their masters program will be with the learner gauging their current skill level via a natural environment setting through play.
How will I stay updated on my child’s progress?
Your child’s BCBA will reach out to regularly schedule Family Guidance sessions. During these sessions, things will be discussed such as progress, barriers, if anything’s going on outside of therapy that is being noticed, etc. You will also be given access to your child’s CentralReach portal, which will reflect data and session notes that is collected throughout each session.
What if my child receives other therapies like OT, PT, SLP, or Feeding Therapy?
Each of our clinics partner with companies that bring in occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapists to our clinic. Each location varies in additional therapy availability, so make sure to reach out to the clinic to ask them what other therapies are offered!
How does a virtual assessment work?
The virtual assessment is conducted through a Teams meeting, the first portion of the assessment is the parent interview and includes gathering background information and behavioral/developmental histories as well as getting an understanding of what daily life "looks" like for your family. This could include discussing barriers being experienced to access different settings or activities, behaviors, challenges and struggles of both the children and the caregivers. A preliminary functional behavior assessment is conducted to get an understanding of behavioral concerns and the functions those behaviors are currently serving. The last portion is a direct observation of the children in their natural environment where a BCBA would take observational data on current skill levels and skill deficits as well as behavior data.
What does an In-Home/School schedule look like?
In-Home therapy is 20 hours per week with either 8am-12pm or 1pm-5pm time slots. For clients who receive therapy in school, the timeslot is only 1pm-5pm. These schedules are Monday-Friday.
What schools is Lighthouse Kids not able to go into?
Middle TN: Williamson County Schools
East TN:
Southeastern TN: Bradley County Schools, Dayton City Schools, Cleveland City Schools, Hamilton County Schools
Northern Georgia: Walker County Schools
What if my child attends school but needs therapy?
Early dismissal can be excused with a BCBA writing a letter to the school due to ABA therapy being medically necessary. This is applicable for each child receiving therapy in home, school, or a clinic setting.