Providing diagnostic evaluations and personalized ABA therapy for children as young as 12 months in Lakewood, WA.
Services: Diagnostics Evaluation, ABA Therapy
Address: 8811 S Tacoma Way, Suite 204 & 206, Lakewood, WA 98499
Parents & Caregivers: 253-263-8739
General Inquiries: 253-559-0323
Professional Referral Fax: 800-513-7773
Hours: Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 6 PM
At Caravel Autism Health, we work with a wide range of insurance providers to help make care as accessible as possible. While we accept many plans, these are the top insurance providers used at our Lakewood, WA location.
Explore Insurance & Financials
Take a look inside our clinic. Our centers are designed especially for children on the autism spectrum, with therapy rooms, play areas, and spaces that encourage communication, social growth, and confidence.
At Caravel Autism Health, families are supported by a compassionate team of specialists dedicated to helping children with autism grow and thrive. Our clinicians, therapists, and care coordinators work closely with parents to create individualized ABA therapy plans, provide ongoing guidance, and celebrate every milestone together.
Reo has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2004. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2004 and earned her master of science in ABA from Simmons College in 2008. Across her career, Reo has
worked with a variety of individuals, 2 year olds through adults, with wide-ranging diagnoses: autism spectrum disability (ASD), oppositional defiance disability (ODD), Down’s Syndrome, attention deficit and hyperactivity disability (ADHD), and other developmental disabilities. She has also worked in different environments, including the public school system, a private school/facility, residential homes, and adult centers. Reo especially enjoys working with early learners, focusing on intensive comprehensive treatment in order to get them integrated into school and into the most least restrictive environment. It is her passion to provide fun, joyful, learner-led ABA that focuses on parent involvement to best generalize skills and graduate children from ABA.
Sonya has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2012. She graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology from Kaplan University in 2010 and earned her master of science in ABA and autism spectrum disorder from Sage Graduate Colleges in 2012. Sonya has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and community settings, with clients ranging from 18 months to 21 years. She has focused on reducing challenging behaviors (self-injurious behavior and aggression), social skill building, including for nonverbal clients, and selective feeding issues. She is passionate about empowering each individual and family she works with to build meaningful skills that support greater independence, confidence, and quality of life.
Brandon has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2017. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and family studies from University of Washington in 2015 and earned his master’s degree in special education, focusing on ABA, from
University of Hawaii in 2019. Brandon began his career as a registered behavior technician, a position he served for three years, before becoming a BCBA in 2020. Across both positions he has gained wide-ranging experience working with early learners with autism and other developmental issues. Brandon especially loves working with families who are initially unsure about ABA—educating others about what ABA is and what it can do for them is hugely satisfying. But having them see and feel the results of a thriving child is the true reward!
Brian has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2015. He earned his bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College in 2015 and his master’s in education from the University of Washington in 2023. Brian has supported individuals on the autism spectrum ages 2–17 in various roles, including as an RBT providing direct therapy, a licensed assistant behavior analyst (LaBA) overseeing treatment and coaching caregivers, and a case resource manager for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), helping adults with developmental disabilities access community and home-based services. He enjoys embedding natural learning opportunities into therapy, using assent-based approaches, and teaching learners to advocate for their own needs. Brian loves engaging with children through their interests and passions—there’s nothing better than helping them expand their world and discover new ways to connect with it.
Addie has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2019. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2018 and earned her master of education in special education from University of Washington in 2024. Addie began her career as a registered behavior technician, where she developed a strong passion for helping children build independence and social skills through play-based reinforcement. She believes every child is unique and values forming meaningful, personal connections with both clients and their families. By truly getting to know each child and building trusting relationships, Addie is able to create individualized treatment plans that support each client’s needs and personal growth journey.
Give us a call at 253-263-8739 or complete this form: https://caravelautism.com/contact-us/
Prior to beginning treatment, a diagnostic evaluation is required. Additional testing is based on individual need and is only used if the testing will help us to design a program or treatment. In general, testing is used to help diagnose disorders and determine levels of intellectual functioning, language ability or adaptive skills. Caravel provides diagnostic evaluations or if you have one from another professional source, that can usually also be used. Testing can also be helpful to chart the effectiveness of therapy.
An evaluation and any diagnostic testing will be billed to insurance (and/or Medicaid where permissible). Testing may be a part of the initial assessment or follow-up assessment. Please check with your insurance company. Typically, your family would be responsible for a potential deductible and/or co-pay. In some states, if you have Medicaid there would be no charge for the assessment beyond what is reimbursed by Medicaid. Any questions regarding financial responsibility may be discussed prior to an appointment with our billing staff. If testing would pose a financial hardship for the family, this should be discussed with billing. We work with parents/guardians to meet the needs of their individual case. Expenses can be spread over time.
Therapy treatment typically takes place in a local Caravel clinic. Under limited and clinically appropriate circumstances, we recommend that some children receive therapy in a home-based setting.
ABA therapy programs are wide-ranging and covers all areas in which your child needs to be successful. Goals are created and broken down into small steps. The steps are then organized into a logical order and taught one small step at a time. Areas may include communication, behavioral, functional and social skills.
Research shows that the greater the amount of hours, the better the outcome for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with an autism characteristically do not learn naturally throughout their days like typically developing children do. Learning is a full-time job for children that typically occurs without being noticed. Children with an autism need to be taught to learn. This means many hours of practicing these skills. Parent/guardian training and involvement is also an essential part of a successful ABA program. Tools and techniques of ABA should be incorporated into daily life. The amount of ABA therapy needed will depend on a variety of factors to be determined in the diagnostic evaluation.
Parent/guardians are trained to do individual therapy with their child. We recommend that parent/guardians engage their child in a few hours of therapy a week to be familiar with what their child is learning. Parent/guardians are encouraged to join team meetings and training provided by clinic staff or outside professionals.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is data-driven, so your clinical team will consistently record data and write session notes during each therapy session, documenting your child’s responses using our proprietary computerized data system.
Our clinicians often work closely with other professionals because we realize that different experts can add valuable insight into treatment. If suggestions can be added to a treatment plan without crossing ethical or professional boundaries, we will bring these suggestions into therapy.