Frequently asked questions

The number of hours of ABA therapy that are ideal is dependent on the particular goals a person is working towards. LifeSpeed recognizes the importance of non-therapeutic activities (e.g., sufficient rest and socialization with peers) and the value of additional support services (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) when making our recommendations.

While it has traditionally been the case that 30-40 hours of ABA services per week was deemed to be the most effective (Lovaas, 1987), more recent studies indicate that lower intensity behavioral interventions (4-10 hours per week) are not only as effective, but have their own unique benefits such as posing less stress on the family and facilitating a more balanced lifestyle (Eldevik et al., 2006; Peters-Scheffer et al., 2013). To make certain we have a consistent schedule that is also considerate of the many other obligations people have, we ask new clients to commit to 3 sessions per week, ranging between 1.5-3hrs each.

Our team has extensive experience working with clients of all ages diagnosed with Developmental Disorders, including but not limited to Autism Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder; Fragile X Syndrome; Cerebral Palsy; Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar); Anxiety Disorders (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder); and a wide range of intellectual disabilities.

Our Early Learning Center is located in Oak Park, though we do provide in-home ABA support to individuals across the greater Chicagoland area. We serve clients within the city of Chicago, as far north as Highland Park, as far west as Palatine, and as far south as Tinley Park.

Please click here to see our service area map.

After an assessment has been completed, the BCBA will conduct sessions together with a Behavior Therapist during the first 2 weeks of services to ensure all team members can proficiently implement the Treatment Plan. The primary focus of this period will be on building rapport, while also establishing the expectations for a trusting therapeutic relationship.

Once the training block has been completed, the Therapist will typically provide 1:1 intervention on a recurrent basis while the BCBA supervises and conducts caregiver training at minimum twice per month. During ABA sessions, the person receiving services should appear happy and seem like they ‘want to be there’; at no point will a LifeSpeed team member implement any programming that pushes past this threshold. Safety, choice-based programming, and intentional engagement will be paramount to continued success.