ABA Therapy Covered by BCBS PPO. No Chicago Waitlist.

Signs ABA Therapy May Be Right for Your Child

If your child shows signs of behavioral, social, or developmental challenges, ABA Therapy may offer the structured, evidence-based support they need. Every child is different, and early intervention can make a life-changing difference.

Persistent challenging behaviors

Hitting, biting, aggression, or self-injury. ABA helps identify root causes and teach positive, safer alternatives.

Difficulty following directions

Trouble responding to instructions or staying focused on tasks. ABA breaks tasks into manageable steps with positive reinforcement.

Limited communication

Trouble using words, gestures, or other ways to express needs. ABA builds communication skills, speaking or non-speaking.

Trouble with transitions or change

Resistance to change, tantrums during transitions, strong need for routine. ABA builds flexibility through structured support.

Repetitive behaviors or fixated interests

When certain behaviors interfere with daily life or learning, ABA helps identify their function and build strategies that support your child’s needs while honoring what they love.

Difficulty with social play

Avoiding peers, struggling with turn-taking, finding group settings overwhelming. ABA teaches social skills and builds confidence.

Emotional regulation challenges

Frequent meltdowns, difficulty calming down. ABA builds coping skills that work at home and in public.

Delayed daily living skills

Toileting, brushing teeth, dressing independently. ABA breaks these tasks into achievable steps reinforced over time.

Take the Free M-CHAT Screener

Not sure where to start? The M-CHAT takes 5 minutes and helps you understand whether your child may benefit from ABA Therapy.

The basics

What Is ABA Therapy?

ABA Therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps children learn new skills and build positive behaviors through reinforcement.

At CST Academy, every program is tailored to the individual child, making therapy sessions engaging, goal-oriented, and personal.

Play-based, evidence-informed ABA therapy at CST Academy

The CST Academy way

How ABA Works at CST Academy

1

Assessment

A BCBA meets your family, observes your child, and identifies the specific skills and behaviors to focus on first.

2

Personalized plan

Your BCBA builds a play-based program around your child’s strengths and goals. Sessions integrate with speech, OT, or feeding therapy as needed.

3

Progress reviews

You get regular family updates, parent training, and progress reviews so you always know how your child is growing.

What Parents Are Saying About ABA at CST Academy

Real outcomes from families across Chicagoland.

“My two young sons have attended CST in Chicago and Northbrook for preschool, pre-K, ABA, OT, and speech. I have had experience with most of the big autism companies in the area, and can tell you CST is the best. They hire the best therapists from the BCBAs to the RBTs and techs. I’ve never had a bad experience with anyone. And both our kids were always so happy to get dropped off.”

Rebecca G., parent of a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old

✓Preschool, Pre-K, ABA, OT, Speech✓2 kids enrolled across 2 CST centers

“First, nowhere else will you find a place that has a true multidisciplinary approach in its mission and model. SLPs, OTs, and ABA therapists taught alongside the preschool and pre-k teachers, and his services were intertwined in his schedule seamlessly. His team truly worked together and communicated everything to each other and it took the stress off of me to email each team member.”

Dina S., parent of a 7-year-old

✓Integrated SLP, OT, ABA, preschool team✓One schedule, zero parent coordination

“From the first moment we walked in their doors, they met every one of our daughter’s needs, while also training my husband and I on the ins and outs of autism. She received services ranging from OT, Speech, ABA, Feeding therapy, ALL OF THEM and each professional we dealt with was absolutely amazing. She loved them and they loved her.”

Kristen K., parent of a 6-year-old

✓OT, Speech, ABA, and Feeding therapy✓Parent training built into care

Questions parents ask

Frequently Asked Questions About ABA Therapy

Do I need a formal diagnosis to begin ABA Therapy at CST Academy?

A formal autism diagnosis is required to begin ABA Therapy, but you don’t need one before you contact us. CST Academy offers diagnostic evaluations at multiple Chicagoland locations, so you can complete your child’s evaluation and move directly into ABA Therapy with the same team.

What age range do you support in your ABA Therapy programs?

CST Academy supports children from 18 months through 7 years in our ABA Therapy programs. Early intervention is when ABA tends to make the biggest difference, which is why we focus on these years.

How does CST Academy determine if my child needs ABA Therapy?

Our BCBAs start with a comprehensive assessment that includes parent interviews, direct observation, and standardized tools when appropriate. We use what we learn to identify the specific skills, behaviors, and goals that matter most for your child, and only recommend ABA when it’s the right fit.

Can my child receive ABA Therapy alongside other therapies at CST Academy?

Coordinated multi-therapy care is the core of how CST Academy works. ABA, speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy all happen under one roof, and your clinicians meet weekly so the therapies reinforce one another. You only have one team to talk to.

Do you accept insurance for ABA Therapy services?

We’re in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, and Aetna coverage is launching in 2026. For out-of-network families, our billing team will help you verify coverage and explore payment options before you come in to tour one of our clinics.

What makes CST Academy different from other ABA Therapy providers?

Three things our families tell us matter most: BCBA-led programs (every plan is designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst), an integrated model that puts ABA alongside speech, OT, PT, and feeding under one roof, and 1,000+ five-star Google Reviews from Chicagoland families.

How long does it take to get started?

Most families schedule their first consultation within 14 days of their initial call. Once you’re enrolled, your BCBA designs a personalized plan within 1 week.

How much does ABA Therapy cost?

ABA Therapy is covered by most insurance plans. We’re in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, and Aetna coverage is launching in 2026. For out-of-network families, our billing team will help you verify coverage and walk you through any out-of-pocket costs before therapy begins.

Deeper focus

How We Tailor ABA Therapy to Your Child

Some kids need help with words. Others with friendships. Others to manage big emotions. These approaches are the ones your BCBA draws from based on what your child needs most.

Social Skills

Behavior Reduction

Parent Training

Early Start Denver Model
(ESDM)

Functional Communication Training
(FCT)

Natural Environment Teaching
(NET)

★★★★★

1000+

5-Star Google Reviews

Pediatric ABA Therapy in Chicagoland

Compassionate, Personalized ABA Therapy for Meaningful Growth