Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Pediatric Therapy & Behavioral Disorders
Caring for an individual with developmental delays—and navigating the therapeutic services designed to help them—can be a challenge. We strive to be a resource for parents and guardians no matter where they are on their journey.
We hope these frequently asked questions about autism, pediatric therapy, and our business are helpful, but don’t be afraid to reach out if you have additional questions. You can also check out our resources for families or explore our blog for a deeper dive into caregiving.
Questions About Autism & Pediatric Therapy
Behavioral disorders, like ADHD, OCD, and autism spectrum disorder, affect a child’s ability to manage emotions and behaviors in a way that’s typical for their age. Children with behavioral disorders may experience challenges like frequent outbursts, defiance, or difficulty focusing, which can impact their daily life and relationships. Therapies like ABA and occupational therapy can help children develop the skills to manage these behaviors, fostering more positive interactions and improving their quality of life.
A diagnosis can come from a variety—or combination—of many professionals such developmental pediatricians, child psychologists or psychiatrists, neurologists, speech language pathologists, etc. Start by asking your loved one’s primary care provider for an evaluation and they will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is a service system administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security to support people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Eligibility requirements vary depending on age, but Arizona residents can enroll to connect with a support coordinator (case manager) who will determine a service plan and assist you in obtaining the right therapies/resources. Therapy Matters is a provider member of DDD.
Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is a proven autism spectrum disorder treatment where therapists work to identify disruptive behaviors and reinforce positive behaviors. Learn more about ABA therapy and our unique approach.
Pediatric OT can look very different from one individual to another, or even from one session to another. Our, goal-oriented rehabilitation plans may consist of strength-building exercises, sensory integration therapy, self-care training, play therapy for children, and other activities that engage the individual’s interests. Learn more about occupational therapy, the challenges it addresses, and what it looks like at Therapy Matters.
Habilitation focuses on building foundational skills for everyday life like walking, talking, hygiene, safety, pre-vocational skills, leisure activities, and more. These services are geared toward individuals with autism or other developmental delays where they may be missing developmental milestones. Learn more about our at home habilitation programs.
Pediatric respite care provides a much-needed break for parents and caregivers. Trained professionals assume care for your loved one while you rest and attend to personal needs. Relatives, neighbors, and other community members can also be trained to provide respite care. Learn more about our respite services and start taking care of yourself too!
Questions About Our Services
Whether you have a diagnosis & referral or not, step one is to get in touch with our team. We’ll evaluate your current scenario and help direct you on next steps. Learn more about our intake process or give us a call.
Yes, we require a referral from your loved one’s primary care provider to begin services.
Every individual we work with is unique, and so are their therapy plans. A session may include physical exercises, play therapy, language practice, learning life skills, and more. Therapy frequency and the length of sessions are customized to the individual’s needs and goals, but typical appointments are 30-60 minutes and often occur twice a week. The common thread is that all therapy sessions take place in a supportive environment that engages the individual’s interests and rewards their participation
For existing patients, we offer teletherapy sessions as needed, but nothing replaces in-person sessions. If your family is travelling or your loved one is sick and can’t be seen in person, please reach out to reschedule your usual session for a virtual one.
With a focus on pediatric therapies, we serve children from infancy to young adulthood, but many of our patients continue receiving services from us beyond their youth. We focus more on progress and changing needs than we do on age, so each therapy plan will grow and develop with the individual.
The short answer is that we take most insurances and private pay, but you can check a full, up-to-date list of insurance plans we accept.
We have a beautiful pediatric therapy clinic in Chandler, AZ that’s equipped with specialized toys, adaptive technology, and spaces curated for your loved one’s growth where we offer ABA, speech, physical, and occupational therapy. We highly encourage parents and caregivers to consider scheduling some or all their services at our clinic, where we can maximize our collaborative approach to care. We also offer HCBS, speech and occupational therapy right in your home.