ABA Therapy for Children in South Jersey & Cherry Hill
Individualized Applied Behavior Analysis for children with autism, planned by a BCBA and delivered where your child learns best: our Cherry Hill center, your home or the community.
ABA therapy for children is individualized Applied Behavior Analysis that helps kids with autism build communication, social, play and daily-living skills. Innovative ABA provides it in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area, at our Cherry Hill center or at home. Start with a free consultation and benefits check at (732) 691-1299.
Clinically reviewed by Charles Knoppel, BCBA · Updated October 2026
At a glance
| Center | 1939 NJ-70, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08003 |
|---|---|
| Settings | Center-based, in-home, school & community |
| Ages | Children of all ages; early start often helps most |
| Insurance | Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare + most major plans; free benefits check |
| Clinical lead | Charles Knoppel, BCBA, Clinical Director |
What is ABA therapy for children?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of how people learn. It looks closely at what happens before and after a behavior, then uses that information to teach new skills and reduce behaviors that get in the way. For children on the autism spectrum, ABA is one of the most widely used and studied approaches, and many insurers cover it when it is medically necessary.
Good ABA does not look like a child drilling at a table all day. It blends short, structured teaching called discrete trial training (DTT) with natural environment teaching (NET), where skills are practiced during play, snack and everyday routines. Reinforcement, meaning something your child enjoys right after a success, is used to make learning motivating.
At Innovative ABA, every program is designed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and delivered by Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Both credentials are issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Our clinical director, Charles Knoppel, BCBA, oversees every child's treatment plan.
ABA focuses on skills that make a real difference in daily life. Goals are written so they can be measured: not "be more social" but "ask a peer to play during free time." That clarity lets you, your BCBA and your insurer see exactly what is changing.
- Communicationspoken words, signs, picture systems or AAC devices, matched to your child.
- Social & play skillsturn-taking, joint attention, sharing and play with peers.
- Daily livingtoileting, dressing, feeding, routines and safety.
- Behavior supportreducing aggression, self-injury, elopement or meltdowns with a plan based on why they happen.
How do I know if my child needs ABA therapy?
Most children start ABA after a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist. Signs that often lead parents to an evaluation include delayed speech, little pointing or showing, limited eye contact, not responding to their name, repetitive movements, very rigid routines and intense reactions to sounds or changes.
Autism is common. The CDC's ADDM Network identified about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds with autism in its 2022 surveillance year, and New Jersey has consistently had some of the highest identification rates of the sites studied. If you are worried, you do not need to wait. Talk to your pediatrician about an evaluation, and call us with questions while you wait. For toddlers, see our early intervention ABA program.
There is no single right age to begin. Research suggests earlier starts often lead to bigger gains, but school-age children and teens also benefit from well-designed ABA.
If your child already has a diagnosis, bring the report to your consultation. It usually includes test results and recommendations that help your BCBA plan the assessment and support the insurance authorization. If you have school records, an IEP or reports from speech or occupational therapy, those help too.
How does ABA therapy work at Innovative ABA, step by step?
Every child follows the same clinical path, but the content of each step is built around your child.
We keep you involved at every step. You will know what your child is working on, see the data and have a voice in which goals come first. Parent goals are written into the plan through our parent training & support program, because the skills your child learns need to work in your home, not just in therapy.
- 1. Assessmentyour BCBA observes your child, interviews you and completes a skills assessment. If challenging behavior is a concern, a functional behavior assessment (FBA) finds what is driving it.
- 2. Treatment planthe BCBA writes measurable goals and recommends weekly hours and settings.
- 3. Insurance authorizationwe submit the plan to your insurer and handle the back-and-forth.
- 4. Sessionsyour child works with a consistent RBT at the center, at home or in the community.
- 5. Data & adjustmentdata is collected every session, and your BCBA reviews it and changes the plan when needed.
- 6. Parent training & generalizationyou learn the same strategies, so skills show up at home, at school and out in the world.
Where does therapy happen, and how many hours will my child need?
Children receive ABA in the setting that fits their goals. Our full-day center-based ABA program in Cherry Hill offers structure, peers and school-readiness practice. In-home ABA therapy teaches skills inside your family's real routines and is often the best choice for families who live farther from the center. School and community sessions help skills carry over to classrooms, playgrounds and stores.
Hours depend on the assessment. Comprehensive programs, which address many areas of development at once, are often recommended at a higher weekly intensity. Focused programs, which target a few specific goals, need fewer hours. Your BCBA recommends a number based on your child's needs and what your family can manage, and that number is reviewed as your child progresses. We never promise a set result or timeline, because every child learns differently.
Families in Cherry Hill and nearby Camden County towns often combine center and home hours. See our Cherry Hill ABA page and Camden County ABA page for local details.
As children grow, their programs change. A preschooler may focus on communication, play and toileting, while a school-age child may work on conversation, flexibility and independence with homework or chores. Many older children also join our social skills development program to practice friendship skills with peers.
Does insurance cover ABA therapy for children in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?
In many cases, yes. New Jersey's 2009 autism insurance mandate requires many state-regulated health plans to cover medically necessary behavioral interventions such as ABA. In Pennsylvania, Act 62 does the same for many plans, and Medical Assistance can cover ABA through Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS). Self-funded employer plans follow federal rules, so coverage varies from job to job.
We accept most major plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare and UnitedHealthcare, and we verify your benefits for free. The usual path is a diagnosis report, a BCBA assessment, a treatment plan sent for authorization, then sessions. Plans are usually reauthorized every several months with updated progress data. To get started, contact us.
ABA programs for your family
Full-Day Center-Based ABA
Structured, full-day programming at our Cherry Hill center, with school-readiness built in.
Learn more →In-Home ABA Therapy
Therapy in your home, where routines like meals, bedtime and play happen.
Learn more →Early Intervention ABA
Support for toddlers and preschoolers during the years skills grow fastest.
Learn more →School & Community-Based ABA
Help carrying skills into classrooms, playgrounds, stores and outings.
Learn more →Social Skills Development
Turn-taking, conversation, play and friendship skills, practiced with peers.
Learn more →Feeding Therapy (ABA)
Help with picky eating, food selectivity and mealtime behavior, coordinated with your child's doctors.
Learn more →
Charles Knoppel, BCBA
Clinical Director — Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Charles leads our clinical team and oversees every child’s treatment plan. He reviewed this page for clinical accuracy in October 2026. Meet our team →
Frequently asked questions
What age is best to start ABA therapy?
Earlier is often better, because young children's skills tend to build quickly and early habits are easier to shape. Many families start between ages 2 and 6. Still, ABA helps at any age, and we work with children of all ages. The best time to start is once your child has a diagnosis and you are ready to be part of the process.
Does my child need an autism diagnosis to start ABA?
For insurance to pay, usually yes. Most plans require a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from a qualified professional, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist or neurologist, and some also want a referral or prescription for ABA. If you are still waiting on an evaluation, call us anyway. We can explain what the report should include.
Is ABA therapy just sitting at a table?
No. Modern ABA mixes short structured teaching with lots of play-based, natural learning. A session might include practicing words during a game, asking for a snack, taking turns with a toy and working through a transition. Table work has a place, but skills need to be practiced in real situations to stick, so we build that in from the start.
Who will work with my child?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs and supervises your child's plan, and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) delivers most one-on-one sessions. Our clinical director, Charles Knoppel, BCBA, oversees every treatment plan. Because we keep caseloads low, your child sees the same therapists consistently, and your BCBA actually knows your child.
How will I know if ABA is working?
You will see it in the data and in daily life. Therapists record progress on every goal each session, and your BCBA reviews the numbers with you regularly. You will also notice changes at home, like new words, smoother transitions or fewer meltdowns. If progress stalls, the plan changes. No therapy can promise a specific result, but ABA should show measurable progress.
Do you serve families in the Philadelphia area?
Yes. We serve the Philadelphia region, including Philadelphia, Delaware, Bucks, Montgomery and Chester counties, mostly through in-home and community ABA. Our only center is in Cherry Hill, and some families who live near the bridges choose to come there. We will check your Pennsylvania plan's ABA benefits for free.
How do I get started?
Call (732) 691-1299 or send a message through our contact page. We will answer your questions, check your insurance benefits for free and schedule an assessment with a BCBA. We often have openings and can start quickly, so ask about current availability.
Talk to a BCBA about your child
Book a free consultation. We'll check your insurance, answer your questions and help you choose the right setting and starting point.