Early Childhood Programming

Our early childhood program focuses on teaching preschool aged children the foundational skills necessary for learning. Services are offered in a clinic or home based setting.   

The Ivymount Early Childhood Clinic is Open!  


The clinic offers the following services: 

• Comprehensive ABA Programming for children ages 2.5-5 years old
• Full day clinic located on Ivymount Campus 
• Embedded speech and OT services across the day
• Regular parent collaboration to review progress and promote integration of skills to home
• Support with out-of-network insurance authorizations

Similar services can also be provided to preschool aged children in the home guided by an individualized treatment plan. 

Programming for School Aged Children and Young Adults
Our programming for school aged children and young adults provides supports for individuals and their families in home and community settings using the principles of ABA.

Service areas include:

• Assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors
• Comprehensive, long term in home programming 
• Short-term in home programming focused on a narrow area of need 
• Evaluation of environmental and educational supports 

Payment for ABA clinic based and home based services is reimbursable by insurance using out-of-network ABA benefits (plan specific limitations may apply).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ABA?
2. How do you Assess and Treat Problem Behavior?
3. How are related services provided within the clinic?
4. Can I use insurance?

What is ABA?
Ivymount Endeavors utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the core component of its teaching methodology.  ABA is the science of learning, which allows the team to identify how each individual learns best and what is motivating to him/her.  Once these key components to each learner's profile are identified, the team is equipped to effectively teach new skills and decrease problem behaviors that otherwise interfere with learning. ABA is evidence based and has a significant body of scientific literature that supports its effectiveness with children with Autism.   The program model provides a 1:1 student to teacher ratio across the day.  Therapists complete a comprehensive training protocol in ABA and are supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). These highly trained therapists provide individualized instruction for each child that maximizes teaching in the natural environment.  Progress is tracked regularly and the interdisciplinary data analysis guides treatment.

How do you Assess and Treat Problem Behavior?
A primary focus of the program is functional communication and language. For many children, problem behavior exists as a way to communicate what that they want. We use evidence based assessment & practices to evaluate what each child is trying to communicate through their problem behavior and then develop a plan, in collaboration with the speech language pathologist, to teach them to communicate their needs in a more socially appropriate way. Once appropriate communication has been established, the focus of programming shifts towards teaching children to tolerate not having their requests met immediately, since this commonly occurs in daily life. 

How are Related Services Provided within the clinic?
The Early Childhood Clinic utilizes an intensive consultation model for both speech and language and occupational therapy services.  Specialists in the area of needed related services, work collaboratively with each child’s team to assess needs, develop programming to address those needs, evaluate the child’s progress and make adjustments as necessary.  By teaching all staff who work with the child how to address his/her needs, the child is provided with consistent programming across a majority of his/her day, providing significantly more opportunities to practice skills as compared to the traditional pull out model. This model promotes generalization of skills and consistent implementation of recommendations throughout the day. Consultation services include observation, assessment, instructor training, program recommendations and progress monitoring. 

Can I use insurance?
Many health insurance plans now cover ABA therapy services for individuals diagnosed with autism. Autism Speaks provides a helpful tool to support you in determining if you have insurance coverage for ABA services. Click here for more information. We also encourage you to speak with your HR department at your place of employment with questions and contact your insurance provider directly. 

Please note that the Ivymount Endeavors Program is considered an out-of-network provider for all health insurers.  We do not accept payment from third parties including health insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, or Maryland Autism Waiver.  If your insurance plan does cover ABA, we will work with your insurance company to obtain the authorizations required and provide receipts that can be submitted for reimbursement.  

Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) funding can be used by MD clients towards payment for many of our programs.  For more information click here.  We are happy to assist you by providing the documentation required to apply for this funding.