What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

ABA is an evidence-based therapy that applies the principles of learning and motivation to help children with autism and developmental delays build socially significant skills and reduce challenging behaviors. It's highly individualized and focuses on positive reinforcement.

How does ABA therapy specifically benefit a child with autism?

ABA helps a child with autism by improving communication, increasing social and play skills, developing academic abilities, enhancing daily living skills (like dressing and feeding), and decreasing behaviors that interfere with learning or safety.

Does ABA therapy aim to "cure" autism?

No. ABA therapy does not aim to cure autism. Our goal is to teach functional, meaningful skills and provide supports that allow individuals to live the highest quality of life possible, respecting and supporting their unique neurodivergent identity.

What is the philosophy of Moving Mountains ABA regarding neurodiversity?

We approach neurodiversity with respect and affirmation. Our philosophy is to combine the rigor of evidence-based ABA with compassionate, child-centered care that emphasizes a child's strengths, interests, and inherent worth.

What is Assent-Based Care, and why is it important at Moving Mountains ABA?

Assent-Based Care means we respect the child’s voice and choices throughout the session. Therapy is designed to be engaging, safe, and motivating, ensuring the child willingly participates and has control over their learning environment, fostering trust and self-advocacy.

How is my child's therapy plan truly individualized?

Every plan starts with an individualized assessment by a BCBA that identifies unique strengths, needs, and family priorities. Goals are chosen based on their functional significance to the child’s specific life, not a standardized curriculum.

What age range of children do you provide ABA services for in New Hampshire?

Moving Mountains ABA primarily provides services to children and adolescents with autism and related developmental disabilities. Please contact us to discuss the specific age range supported by our current New Hampshire programs.

Can ABA therapy be effective for individuals without an autism diagnosis?

Yes, ABA principles are universally effective for teaching new skills and managing behavior across various populations and goals, including those with other developmental delays or specific learning challenges.

Is ABA therapy considered a medical service?

Yes, ABA therapy for autism is typically considered a medically necessary service when prescribed by a doctor or psychologist, and is often covered under health insurance plans in New Hampshire.

Is ABA therapy compatible with other services, like Speech or Occupational Therapy?

Absolutely. We highly encourage collaboration and coordination of care with other providers (SLPs, OTs, educators) to ensure consistency and maximize your child's overall progress across all environments.

How do you incorporate the child's interests and choices into the program?

We use the child's established interests (toys, characters, activities) as powerful motivators and reinforcers. By offering choices and following the child's lead, we make learning meaningful and enjoyable.

What are the long-term goals of ABA therapy for my child?

The long-term goals are to foster meaningful independence, effective communication, strong self-advocacy skills, and the ability to access and thrive within their community and chosen life settings.

Where are the ABA therapy sessions conducted (home, school, community)?

We are a service-area business and conduct sessions primarily in the child's home and natural community environments across New Hampshire. School and community-based sessions are implemented as appropriate for skill generalization and based on treatment goals.

What is Natural Environment Teaching (NET), and how often is it used?

NET is teaching skills within the context of play, daily routines, and functional activities (e.g., teaching communication during snack time). We prioritize NET because it leads to skills generalizing and being used naturally in the real world.

How does Discrete Trial Training (DTT) help a child learn new skills?

DTT is a structured, one-on-one teaching method where complex skills are broken into small, manageable steps. This highly systematic approach is effective for teaching foundational skills like matching, labeling, and focused attention.

What is Pivotal Response Training (PRT), and what "pivotal" skills does it target?

PRT is a play-based, child-centered approach that targets pivotal areas of development like motivation, self-initiation, responsiveness to cues, and self-management. Improving these core skills leads to widespread improvements in language and social skills.

How is Functional Communication Training (FCT) used to address challenging behaviors?

FCT is a critical strategy that identifies the function (the "why") of a challenging behavior (like a tantrum) and replaces it with a functional, appropriate communication skill (e.g., asking for a break or a desired item).

Can you provide an example of Task Analysis & Chaining for a self-care skill?

For example, Task Analysis breaks 'brushing teeth' into small steps (e.g., 1. Get toothbrush, 2. Get toothpaste, 3. Wet brush). Chaining teaches those steps in a specific sequence (forward or backward) until the full skill is mastered independently.

How do you use Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) to manage and reduce challenging behavior?

PBS focuses on prevention. We identify the triggers and function of a behavior and proactively teach new, positive replacement skills, modify the environment, and implement reinforcement strategies to make the challenging behavior unnecessary.

What if my child resists participating in a therapy activity?

We pivot immediately. Resistance is a signal. Our assent-based approach means we either change the activity, offer an appropriate choice, or take a short break to ensure the child feels safe and maintains motivation before re-engaging.

How do you ensure my child's assent is maintained throughout the session?

Our Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) are trained to continuously monitor for clear signs of assent (engagement, positive body language) and dissent (fidgeting, avoidance). We use high rates of positive reinforcement and offer frequent choices.

How is communication and language development supported in the therapy program?

We use a functional approach, teaching communication skills that get the child's needs met, often incorporating FCT, NET, and PRT. This includes speech, sign language, picture exchange, or communication devices (AAC) based on the child's profile.

Does the therapy program address social skills and play skills?

Yes. We teach social referencing, imitation, turn-taking, sharing, cooperative play, and understanding social cues in natural settings, often in the presence of siblings or peers when appropriate.

How do you transition a child from one activity or skill to the next?

We use positive transition strategies like visual schedules, transition songs, clear verbal warnings, and providing reinforcement immediately upon completing a successful transition to minimize stress and resistance.

How do you make therapy sessions fun and engaging?

We embed learning within the child's play, use highly motivating reinforcers, ensure the child is successful often, and maintain a fast-paced, positive, and enthusiastic interaction style, keeping the child at the center of the session.

How do you handle and prevent therapist burnout for the child?

We ensure a balanced schedule with frequent breaks, vary the teaching methods, constantly change the reinforcement, and follow the child's motivation (assent) to ensure the sessions remain positive and are not overly demanding.

How does the program address independence and daily living skills?

We focus on essential adaptive skills such as dressing, hygiene (hand-washing, toileting), self-feeding, and chores, using Task Analysis and Chaining to teach these complex skills step-by-step.

Who will be working directly with my child (RBT, BCBA)?

Your child will primarily work with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), who implements the individualized treatment plan. The RBT is supervised directly by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), who designs and modifies the plan.

What are the qualifications and certifications of your Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)?

Our BCBAs hold a master's or doctoral degree, have completed extensive supervised fieldwork, and passed the rigorous national certification exam administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). They maintain their certification through ongoing continuing education.

How often will the BCBA directly supervise my child's therapy sessions?

BCBA supervision is provided frequently, in accordance with both BACB ethical requirements and insurance standards, typically consisting of direct observation, team meetings, and dedicated parent coaching sessions.

What is Parent & Caregiver Coaching, and how often is it provided?

Parent coaching is a dedicated time for the BCBA to work directly with caregivers. It is essential for generalization and is typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly to teach you the strategies used in therapy, ensuring consistency outside of sessions.

What is the process for the initial assessment to create the treatment plan?

The initial assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation by a BCBA, including direct observation of your child, interviews with you, and standardized assessments (such as the VB-MAPP or ABLLS-R) to identify functional needs and inform goal development.

How is progress measured in ABA therapy?

Progress is measured daily by the RBTs through objective data collection (e.g., frequency counts, duration, and percentage of correct responses). This data is graphed and analyzed by the BCBA to make data-driven decisions about the program's effectiveness.

How often will I receive progress reports and clinical updates?

Formal, comprehensive clinical progress reports are typically provided every 90 days (or according to your funding source's requirements) to review data, summarize achievements, and propose updates to the treatment plan.

What happens if my child is not making progress on a specific goal?

If progress plateaus, the BCBA immediately analyzes the data. They will modify the teaching procedures, change the motivators, or break the skill down into smaller steps to ensure the child starts progressing again.

How often are the therapy goals and treatment plans re-evaluated?

The treatment plan is formally reviewed and re-authorized with your involvement and your funding source every 6 months, though the BCBA reviews the data and makes adjustments to individual goals on a daily/weekly basis.

How is consistency ensured when multiple RBTs work with my child?

Consistency is ensured through precise, written protocols in the treatment plan, detailed shift notes, and direct BCBA supervision. All RBTs are trained to implement the plan exactly as written.

How is my input as a parent incorporated into the goal-setting process?

Your input is the highest priority. Goals are chosen in collaboration with you to ensure they are meaningful, functional, and aligned with your family's values and priorities for your child's life at home and in the community.

What is your policy for collaboration with my child's school or other therapists (SLP/OT)?

We maintain a policy of open communication, with written parent consent, to share relevant data and coordinate strategies with all members of your child's care team to promote skill generalization across all settings.

What are signs that ABA therapy is working for my child?

Signs include a measurable increase in functional communication and social interactions, a decrease in challenging behaviors, an increase in independence, and greater engagement and happiness during learning and daily routines.

What is the process to enroll or start services with Moving Mountains ABA?

Step 1: Call or submit our online inquiry form. Step 2: We verify your insurance benefits. Step 3: We obtain a prescription/referral from your doctor. Step 4: A BCBA completes the initial assessment and treatment plan. Step 5: Services begin!

How long is the waitlist for starting services in New Hampshire?

Wait times can vary based on your location and availability of qualified RBTs. We prioritize urgent cases and strive to provide an accurate estimate of the expected start date once your insurance benefits have been verified.

How many hours per week of ABA therapy will my child need?

The prescribed hours are determined by the BCBA based on the assessment, the child's age, and the severity of their needs, usually ranging from 10 to 40 hours per week. This will be detailed in the initial treatment plan.

Will my health insurance cover ABA therapy in New Hampshire?

Yes. Thanks to New Hampshire state mandates, most private and group health insurance plans sold in the state are required to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, which includes ABA therapy.

Do you accept Medicaid or state-funded programs for ABA services?

Please contact us directly with your specific plan details. We work with various insurance providers, including many Medicaid managed care organizations, to ensure access to care.

What is the New Hampshire state law regarding mandated coverage for autism treatment?

New Hampshire state law (RSA 417-E) mandates coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including medically necessary behavioral health treatments like ABA, for children up to age 21.

Will Moving Mountains ABA help me verify my insurance benefits and coverage?

Absolutely. Our dedicated administrative team will handle the full verification process, contact your insurance provider, and provide you with an estimate of your coverage and financial responsibility before services begin.

What are my potential out-of-pocket costs (copays, deductibles, coinsurance)?

Your specific costs (copays, deductibles, co-insurance) depend entirely on your individual insurance plan. We will review your plan's details with you after benefit verification to give you a clear estimate of your financial responsibility.

What is your policy for session cancellations or rescheduling?

We require advance notice for cancellations, typically 24 hours, as we reserve time for your child. Consistent attendance is crucial for progress, and our policy will be clearly outlined in your initial service agreement.

What kind of safety and background checks do you perform on your clinical staff?

The safety of your child is our priority. All RBTs and BCBAs undergo thorough state and federal background checks, reference checks, and verification of all professional certifications (BACB) before working with clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started with ABA Therapy

Whether you’re a parent exploring support or a professional making a referral, this page will help you understand how Moving Mountains ABA works—from access and coverage to where services are provided.

Get Started

Call (603) 310-1850

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Mountains ABA ABA Therapy in New Hampshire38

Do I need a referral to start services?

Not always. Parents can contact us directly, or professionals can submit a referral on behalf of a family.

Does insurance cover ABA therapy?

Yes, ABA therapy is covered under New Hampshire law by most private insurers and Medicaid.

Where do services take place?

In homes, schools, daycares, and community settings across New Hampshire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started with ABA Therapy

Do I need a referral to start services?

Does insurance cover ABA therapy?

Where do services take place?

Take the First Step Toward Meaningful Progress

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