Autism Services That Change Lives
Caravel Autism Health offers a complete range of comprehensive, individualized services for children with autism and their families. We’re here to help you make the best decisions for your child’s future.
Personalized Therapy Plans
At Caravel Autism Health, we create personalized, evidence-based therapy plans for children as young as 18 months through the age they enter full-time school. Our customized plans begin with a baseline assessment performed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This assessment provides a starting point from which progress can be measured. It also is used to help design a program and determine the number of therapy hours that are required based on your child’s needs. The custom plan includes targeted goals and will adjust to your child’s response to therapy.
Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services
Caravel offers assent-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy that prioritizes consent, respects preferences, and incorporates child-friendly approaches that encourage active participation.
Clinic-Based Setting
We prefer to deliver as much of a child’s therapy as possible in the more controlled setting of a clinic-based environment, as research supports better outcomes under these circumstances. Our therapy areas are specifically optimized for a variety of therapeutic activities based on your child’s individualized therapy plan.
Caravel clinics offer one-to-one therapy and peer interaction in a welcoming, child-friendly environment designed especially for children on the autism spectrum. We have ample space for children to engage in activities that promote exercise as well as opportunities to improve communication and social skills.
Evidence-Driven Outcomes with PathTap™
Our proprietary PathTap™ outcomes platform tracks a child’s progress in real time. That data is analyzed to generate insights that can help fine-tune individual therapy plans as well as advance autism treatment as a whole. Since introducing PathTap™ in 2022, Quality of Effective Treatment (QET) measures have soared and skills development opportunities have more than doubled.
Explore PathTap™ OutcomesIn Their Own Words
It can be an emotional, uncertain time when you are told your child has autism. Many people (family included) will weigh in with opinions on how to handle that news. As a parent, all I knew was that I wanted what was best for my child and caravel provided that and more.
If you’re looking for the highest level and most professional autism therapy for your child, you will find it with Caravel. My little one started receiving care right at 2 1/2 yrs old, and in less than 18 months he’s completely ready for preschool and is graduating Caravel. Early intervention is key.
Caravel was a part of my son’s life for 3+ years—starting at age 3. The amazingly detailed plan of care they had for him and the fantastic team they assembled allowed him to enter school and be so successful. I’m so thankful I found them and brought them into our lives. Cannot recommend them enough.
Our son had a FANTASTIC experience both with the Family Services offered and in-clinic. He made his first friend (who truly understood him), he received wonderful one-on-one care, and he really blossomed! He went from a closed-off, frustrated little boy to an outgoing, engaging little boy!
My grandson started therapy at Caravel Autism Health three years ago. He was nonverbal and did not associate with other kids. This week he “graduated” and will attend kindergarten. It is because of the intensive and compassionate care that was given to him that he is chatty, plays with others, and is ready to be a little rock star in mainstream education. I would highly recommend Caravel for those looking to elevate children on the spectrum.
Frequently Asked Questions
An autism evaluation is a targeted assessment of a child’s social communication skills along with an opportunity to observe and discuss restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. An autism evaluation is important because it helps to identify (or rule out) the presence of Autism Spectrum Disability (ASD), and a diagnosis opens the door to access services and supports.
At Caravel Counseling & Diagnostics, we use a team-based approach to assessment. Depending on insurance requirements, a doctor may complete an initial interview with a parent or caregiver and then conduct a structured observation of the child. In other instances, a master’s level clinician (referred to as a Diagnostic Clinical Therapist) may conduct the interview and administer psychological tests to the child, with the doctor interpreting the results and providing feedback.
When looking specifically at Autism Spectrum Disability (ASD), a diagnostician will be evaluating a child’s ability to socially connect and communicate, as well as asking about and observing restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (e.g., simple motor stereotypes, sensory issues, and problems with change).
There is no average age to receive an autism diagnosis, and we encourage parents to receive an evaluation as early as possible when they start to be concerned about their child’s development. We can start seeing signs of social communication deficits as early as 12 months of age, with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior emerging between 12 and 36 months of age.
Included in the evaluation process is an initial interview, which can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Following the interview, depending on the evaluation format, the assessment can take 30 minutes to three hours. Finally, there is a parent/caregiver feedback appointment, which can take, depending on the amount of information to discuss, 30 to 60 minutes.
If your child receives a telehealth evaluation, depending on his or her age and level of communication skills, you can expect to support the doctor’s observations by engaging in a number of structured activities with your child (older children with more developed communication skills will interact directly with the doctor). If your child receives an in-person evaluation, depending on his or her age and level of communication skills, you will be asked to sit in the room with the technician as the tests are administered to your child. If your child is older and has age-appropriate language skills, you may be asked to wait in the waiting room.
Both terms are used, often interchangeably, but each can have its own specific implications. Caravel Autism Health chooses to use the term “autism therapy” because it most accurately represents what we do. Our methodology (and the principles of ABA) involve developing a child’s verbal and social skills—a “therapy” approach—to promote better quality of life for the child and their family. The word “treatment” is often associated with the use of medications and can also imply a “cure” or a guaranteed outcome. There is no “cure” for autism, but through the therapy that Caravel provides, children and their families can experience better, more fulfilling life outcomes.
