Delivering autism therapy to your doorstep
At-home, play-based, developmental therapy for children with autism
Who we are
Empowering individuals with the skills they need to thrive and become high achievers
Servicing the Bethesda area
Our all-inclusive care model extends beyond providing therapy for children; it empowers you with the knowledge and skills to implement therapeutic practices at home, thereby strengthening your relationship with your child.
A Play-based Model
Utilizing fun to fuel development
Every child is unique, but two things are universal:
The need for a safe connection at home
A love for play
Play-based approaches help your child hit new milestones and strengthen relationships. By taking interest in their curiosities, our program turns learning into a fun adventure that boosts development and connection.
Children show significant improvement in at least one key area within as little as six months
Emotional Regulation
Finding the calm to process complex emotions
Communication
Initiating and maintaining meaningful interactions
Social Engagement
Building real relationships based on shared interest & connection
Daily Living
Developing functional capacities for independence
Supporting your child’s growth with you
Tailored to your child’s unique needs and developmental milestones, our therapy integrates play, relational connection, and a sense of safety.
Integrated, family-focused care is proven to provide lasting results
versus traditional providers typically requiring 30+ hours per week
Children are more receptive to explore and learn when care is delivered at home
Providing autism care near you
Our model works - hear directly from parents
”They understand that [people with autism] don’t need to change because they have a different neurotype. There just needs to be support and accommodations wherever they need them to continue their progress in their development."
"I feel like they gave our child back to us. We don’t have to worry that he’ll be in intensive hours of learning with providers without us. He gets to be home and he gets to be playing with us. It makes us really happy to know that this is his life. These are going to be his memories of his childhood."
"I didn't know that I was looking for tools for myself. I learned how to be the kind of mom he needs. I learned to be his safe space. And I wasn't expecting that. And maybe I should have been looking for that and I didn't even know to look for it, but it was so necessary and I'm so grateful for it."
Frequently asked questions
Many insurance companies require an autism diagnosis prior to receiving an evaluation with Positive Development. Your intake coordinator can help to determine insurance requirements.
Positive Development does offer virtual diagnostics (18 months to 9 years old). Learn more here
Signs and symptoms of ASD can vary per child and age. According to the CDC, common signs in a child might include (but are not limited to): avoids eye contact, repeats words or phrases, gets upset by small changes or changes in routine, has obsessive play tendencies (repetition), overly challenging behavior, flaps hands or spins body in circles, is highly sensitive to sounds/textures/smells, shows delayed language or cognitive skills or has obsessive interests.
You can learn more about the top signs of autism here: Top 12 Signs and Symptoms of Autism
Our intake coordinators and Revenue Cycle Team can assist in determining if therapy sessions are covered by your insurance and/or the out-of-pocket cost.
Treatment length varies based on diagnosis, however, your child may show significant growth in as little as six months when engaged with 6-8 hours of weekly therapy.
In short, Traditional Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) focuses on specific behaviors, while Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI) focuses on the whole child. Traditional ABA has historically been the primary therapy offered for people on the autism spectrum, which teaches skills to gain desired behaviors through reinforcement and discipline, often led by an adult. This approach focuses on observable behaviors and is measured by meeting predetermined developmental goals vs. individualistic goals.
Developmental therapy includes DRBI and is part of the broader DIR® care model, which takes a somewhat different approach.DRBI looks beyond specific (and often stereotyped) behaviors like aggression, rigidity, and withdrawal to understand and address the neurodevelopmental challenges beneath the surface. These challenges may include motor planning, emotional self-regulation, sensory sensitivity, learning disabilities, and speech delays. DRBI is child led, without a pre-determined schedule of events or tasks to complete.
Read more about the core differences between ABA and developmental therapy here: ABA and the Developmental Model: A Slight Controversy in Autism Therapy