Therapy
Our ABA Therapy Services
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a research-based, highly effective therapy for children with autism. Project Hope Foundation has been providing ABA therapy since 2007, serving families across South Carolina in clinic, home, and community settings.
What ABA Therapy Does
ABA therapy helps children:
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- build communication and social skills
- increase independence in daily life
- reduce behaviors that interfere with learning or safety
We use proven strategies (like reinforcement, prompting, and practice across settings) to help children learn new skills and use them in real life.
Individualized for Your Child
Every child receives a personalized treatment plan based on their unique strengths and needs. Therapy is delivered by trained Behavior Technicians under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Types of Programs
We offer two levels of support:
- Comprehensive Programs (25–40 hours/week):
Designed for children who need support across multiple areas, such as communication, social skills, and daily living skills. - Focused Programs (10–15 hours/week):
Target specific goals, such as reducing challenging behaviors or building social and community skills.
Most services are provided in a 1:1 setting (one technician working with one child at a time), though group and specialized options are available when appropriate.
What to Expect
Many children begin with more intensive therapy (25–40 hours per week), often working with a small, consistent team. As progress is made, services may shift to include more group or classroom-based experiences and fewer weekly hours.
We view families as essential partners. You can expect:
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- Regular communication with your child’s team
- Monthly meetings to review progress and goals
- Collaboration with speech and occupational therapists when appropriate
Whole-Child Approach
We serve individuals across the autism spectrum, including those with co-occurring diagnoses such as ADHD or anxiety. These situations often require close coordination between families and providers to ensure the best outcomes.
ABA may not be appropriate in certain situations, such as:
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- Degenerative conditions with ongoing skill loss
- Severe, uncontrolled seizures with regression
- Other conditions where autism-focused therapy is not recommended
Funding Options
ABA therapy is covered by many private insurance plans and Medicaid. We also accept private pay.
Team-Based Approach: ABA,Speech, and Occupational Therapy
At Project Hope Foundation, your child is supported by a coordinated team rather than separate providers working in isolation. For current ABA clients, Project Hope-based speech and occupational therapy can be integrated into the day, creating a seamless, consistent approach across services.
Why This Matters
When therapies are aligned:
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- Skills are practiced throughout the day
- Therapists share strategies and goals in real time
- Your child experiences more consistency and less transition stress
- Progress carries over more naturally into everyday life
How It Works
Your child’s ABA, speech, and occupational therapists collaborate closely by aligning goals, sharing strategies, and reinforcing skills across settings. Therapy may take place in the environment that works best for your child, whether that’s a therapy room, classroom, or play-based setting.
We also partner with outside providers when families choose to use them, working to ensure communication, consistency, and alignment across all members of your child’s team.
Speech and occupational therapy are available at select campuses for children currently receiving ABA services. To learn more, contact your child’s supervisor.
To begin services, please complete our Hope Services Application
Insurance & Requirements
We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid (Fee for Service and most Managed Care plans). After you apply, we will verify your coverage for ABA therapy. Please note: We are not in-network with Tricare.
When applying, be prepared to provide:
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- Primary insurance card (front and back required)
- Secondary insurance card (if applicable)
- Autism diagnosis report (required)
- Most recent IEP (if applicable)
What Happens Next:
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- Application & Insurance Check: We verify your insurance and ensure your child’s application is complete.
- On the Waitlist: Your child’s application is complete and they are on the waitlist at one or multiple locations (upon request).
- Evaluation & Recommendation: When a potential spot opens, we gather additional information and schedule an evaluation with a BCBA. After the evaluation, we recommend the best placement and provide an estimated timeline. Once you accept our placement recommendation, we confirm your child is in the queue to start services.
- Assessment & Approval: When the supervisor is ready, we complete a full assessment and submit a treatment plan to your insurance for approval.
- Start Services: After we receive the authorization, we confirm your child’s therapy schedule and begin services.
Additional Notes
Timing varies based on insurance, availability, and individual needs. If you’ve already applied, do not reapply. You can email clients@projecthopesc.org for updates.
For additional resources, please check our Community page!
