Answers for Autism Parents
When You Need Them

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

For Level 1 autism, most children start with 10–20 hours per week — not 40. Learn how hours are determined and why more isn't always better.

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

40 hours a week is the upper ceiling from a 1987 study — not the standard. Find out when it's appropriate and how to push back if it isn't right for your child.

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Insurance doesn't use a fixed number — it approves hours based on medical necessity. Learn the process, what to expect, and what to do when you get fewer hours than recommended.

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Speech delay and autism overlap — but they're not the same thing. Learn the key differences, what a developmental evaluation looks like, and why acting early matters either way.

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Not speaking doesn't mean not communicating. Learn about AAC tools, the Verbal Behavior ABA approach, and research-backed strategies to support your child's voice — whatever form it takes.

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Some signs of mild autism at age 2 are easy to miss. Learn the 8 key patterns to watch for, what typical development looks like at 24 months, and why earlier action leads to better outcomes.

5 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Hitting is communication, not bad behavior. Learn the 4 behavioral functions, what a Functional Behavior Assessment involves, and how ABA helps your child replace hitting with safer ways to get their needs met.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

A diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Here are the 5 concrete steps to take in the weeks after your child is diagnosed — broken down clearly so you can move forward with confidence.

7 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

ABA is the most evidence-supported treatment for autism — but what does it actually look like? Learn what happens in sessions, who runs them, and what goals ABA addresses.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Come prepared with specific observations, know which screenings to ask for, and learn what to do if your concerns are dismissed. A practical guide to the most important conversation.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

They're different disciplines that often work together. Learn what each one does, when your child might need both, and how insurance covers them in NY, NJ, and NC.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

The first ABA appointment isn't a therapy session — it's an assessment. Learn what happens at intake, what the BCBA is looking for, and what early sessions actually look like for your child.

7 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

From your first pediatrician conversation to the formal evaluation and written report — a clear step-by-step guide to getting an autism diagnosis and what to do once you have one.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Age 2 is one of the most powerful windows for early intervention. Learn the specific signs to watch for at this age, why acting now matters, and what ABA looks like for toddlers.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Speech delay and autism can look similar — but the differences matter. Learn the key signs that separate autism from a pure speech delay, and why early evaluation is critical either way.

6 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Mild autism at age 2 can be easy to miss. Learn the 8 key patterns to watch for, what typical development looks like at 24 months, and why acting earlier leads to better outcomes.

8 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

A clear 30-day action plan for newly diagnosed families: get the diagnostic report, call insurance, contact providers, request an IEP, and more — in the right order.

7 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

ABA waitlists can stretch 3–12 months in NY, NJ, NC, and CO — but families who contact multiple providers at once, stay flexible on scheduling, and use matching services get seen much faster.

7 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

Autism doesn't worsen at age 3 — but this is a real developmental turning point. Learn why behaviors often intensify around age 3, and what you can do to support your child through this transition.

7 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

ABA is one of the most effective tools for nonverbal children with autism. Learn how Verbal Behavior approaches, Functional Communication Training, and AAC devices help your child find their voice.

8 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

A denial isn't the final word. Learn the exact steps to appeal — from requesting the denial letter to filing an external independent review — and the language that makes appeals succeed.

7 min read  •  By The Match Care ABA Team

ABA at school and private ABA are two separate systems — and your child may be entitled to both. Learn how school-based ABA works, how it differs from private therapy, and how to get each.