About Our ABA Services: We Don’t Use the Old School ABA Model 

The Sunshine Center^® facility is not your ordinary ABA Therapy Center. We use a “whole child” approach, which incorporates ongoing collaboration with the child’s family and access to various therapies. 

In order for a child to be successful with ABA and autism therapies–in both 1:1 therapy and in everyday life–the child must demonstrate skill mastery in a minimum of three different settings, with three different people, and with three different types of materials. This is why we focus on making sure the child is generalizing each and every skill.

We achieve skill mastery by incorporating naturalistic teaching instead of doing repeated trials and sitting at a desk for the entire session. From day one, we pair with the child so they become comfortable with us, and so we can promote generalization right from the start.

Behavior Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder

When your child visits the Sunshine Center, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) conduct an in-depth behavior assessment including a parent interview, skills testing, behavior function analysis, preference assessment, and a review of prior evaluations.

This assessment is used to develop an individualized treatment plan for your child, along with reachable goals to monitor progress.

We're here to help! Our team of trained specialists is ready to work with your family and help your child reach developmental milestones.

Individual Treatment Plans to Help Children with Autism

The Sunshine Center uses a team approach when working with your child to help reach their greatest potential.

Our team of occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, behavioral specialists, and special instructors will assist your child in 1:1 sessions and group sessions focused on:

• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Daily Living Skills (age 12+)
• ABA Therapy/Behavioral Services
• Counseling
• Social Skills

Our team of certified ABA therapists will take into consideration your child's skills, interests, needs, preferences, and family situation when developing a plan. We'll also devise a set of achievable goals.

The plan is divided into manageable steps to help your child become independent and successfully reach both short- and long-term goals. We will use prompting, shaping, reinforcement, and generalization to ensure your child is successful.

Our behavior analysts will frequently review your child's progress and make adjustments to the plan and goals as needed.

To make sure you are updated on all changes and progress, we work closely with parents and guardians and will regularly meet with you to provide updates.

What Kind of Progress Can I Expect?

Everyone is unique, and the rate of progress with behavioral therapy varies depending on age, family goals, behavior assessment, and additional factors.

While some children acquire skills quickly, we find that most benefit from ongoing instruction that builds on their step-by-step progress.

Throughout the ABA therapy process, we will be with you and your child every step of the way and will make sure your family values and child's comfort come first.

Together, we can help your child reach their greatest potential through individualized, one-on-one therapy.

Credentials and Licensing

Our Sunshine Center^® facilities have been recognized by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE). We are proud to meet the BHCOE's highest standards of verified clinical quality, transparency, and accountability.

ABA Therapy FAQs

1. What is ABA therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that focuses on improving socially significant skills—such as communication, play, self-help, and behavior regulation—using positive reinforcement and individualized teaching strategies.

2. Who benefits from ABA therapy? 

ABA therapy can support: 

• Children and adults with autism
• Individuals with ADHD, ODD, OCD, or developmental delays
• Anyone who needs help building communication, social, or daily living skills
  
  

3. What makes your ABA program different? 

We do not use the old-school, table-only ABA model.

Our approach is:

• Naturalistic and play-based
• Focused on generalization across people, settings, and materials
• Collaborative with families and other therapists
• Designed to support the whole child, not just target behaviors

4. What is a "whole child" approach? 

We look at each child’s full developmental picture—communication, sensory needs, social skills, motor skills, behavior, emotional regulation—and collaborate with families and other providers (OT, PT, Speech) to build a coordinated plan.

5. What happens during an ABA session? 

ABA therapy sessions may include: 

• Play-based teaching
• Naturalistic learning opportunities
• Social and communication activities
• Daily living skill practice
• Community or classroom readiness skills
• Parent training or caregiver collaboration

Children are active and engaged—not sitting at a desk for hours.

6. What is generalization and why is it important?

Generalization means the child can use a skill in different settings, with different people, and with different materials.

True mastery only happens when a child can use the skill in real life, not just in therapy.

7. How do you assess my child before starting therapy? 

We complete an in-depth behavior and skills assessment, including:

• Parent interview
• Direct observation
• Skills testing
• Behavior function analysis
• Preference assessment
• Review of past evaluations