Compassionate 1:1 ABA Therapy for Young Children

No. First Steps Developmental Services is currently accepting new patients with no waitlist. Starting ABA early matters, and the practice was built to be available to families when they need it — not after months of waiting. Call (781) 460-9756 or email info@firststepsds.com to ask about current availability.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) has completed a graduate-level degree, supervised fieldwork, and a national certification exam. BCBAs at First Steps Developmental Services design each child's individualized treatment plan, conduct assessments, and supervise all therapy. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is trained and credentialed to deliver 1:1 therapy sessions directly with a child, under the ongoing supervision of a BCBA. Together they form the clinical team.

A parent or caregiver contacts First Steps Developmental Services and schedules an initial consultation. A BCBA then conducts a comprehensive assessment of the child's current skills, communication abilities, and developmental priorities. That assessment shapes an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. Families are part of the process throughout — the clinical team explains each step before it happens.

Your child will receive care from BCBAs and supervised clinical staff. BCBAs design and monitor every treatment plan. Direct therapy is delivered by trained staff under BCBA supervision. The team is led by Founder and CEO Jarrod Scalzo, MSEd, BCBA, LABA, with more than 20 years of experience in behavior analysis and special education.

Yes. First Steps Developmental Services accepts most major insurance plans for ABA therapy services. We verify coverage and handle insurance authorizations to make the process easier for families. As of January 1, 2026, Massachusetts requires insurers to cover ABA therapy for children with Down syndrome, expanding access further. Contact us at info@firststepsds.com or call (781) 460-9756 and we'll help verify your specific plan.

First Steps Developmental Services specializes in ABA therapy for children under age six — the developmental window where structured, play-based support has its greatest impact. "Evidence-based" means the methods are grounded in decades of peer-reviewed research and have been consistently shown to improve communication, social skills, and early learning outcomes.

First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome. Programs are tailored to each child's individual profile. Families of children with other intellectual or developmental disabilities are welcome to call and discuss whether the program is a good fit.

First Steps Developmental Services offers four delivery formats: center-based ABA at the Woburn facility in half-day and full-day formats, home-based ABA for children three and under where a therapist travels to the family, a hybrid model combining center and home delivery, and After School ABA for children whose primary programming happens elsewhere during the school day. The BCBA recommends the format that best fits your child.

Center-based ABA is delivered at 18 Commerce Way in Woburn in a purpose-built therapeutic environment. Home-based ABA brings a trained therapist directly to the family's home — this format is available for children three and under and allows therapy in the child's natural setting. Both are supervised by BCBAs and use the same evidence-based methods.

EIBI — Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention — is an evidence-based ABA approach for the early developmental window (under age six) when intensive, structured support has the most significant impact on outcomes. Yes, EIBI is offered at the First Steps Developmental Services center in Woburn in both half-day (four hours) and full-day (eight hours) formats.

Family participation is a core part of how First Steps Developmental Services works. The clinical team partners closely with caregivers to support consistency between the therapy environment and home. Speak with the BCBA team about how observation and caregiver involvement work within your child's specific program.

ABA therapy at First Steps Developmental Services is available to children who have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome. If your child is in the evaluation process, our Early Insights developmental assessment may be a relevant first step — or contact the team to discuss your situation.

First Steps Developmental Services supports families of young children with autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual or developmental disabilities. Call (781) 460-9756 to discuss your child's situation and whether the program is the right fit.

First Steps Developmental Services offers School and Daycare Consultation as a distinct service, allowing BCBAs to work with the child's educational team and support consistency across settings. This is available to families who want to extend the principles of ABA into the school or daycare environment.

Yes. First Steps Developmental Services offers a hybrid model that combines center and home delivery. The BCBA will recommend the format that best matches the child's clinical needs and the family's situation.

Yes. First Steps Developmental Services is a private ABA practice — completely separate from the state program that ends at age three. Families whose children have recently aged out of state services are welcome to contact the team at (781) 460-9756 to discuss starting private ABA therapy.

First Steps Developmental Services specializes in ABA therapy for children under age six. If you have questions about what is available as your child approaches school age, the clinical team can discuss the transition and help connect your family with appropriate next steps.