ABA Therapy in Lakewood, NJ
ABA that fits a full household: in-home sessions scheduled around school days and family routines, with the same BCBA guiding your child's plan from start to finish.
Innovative ABA provides ABA therapy to Lakewood families mainly in the home, scheduled around your family's routines and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Our only center is on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, about 42 miles away, for families who want center days. Call (732) 691-1299 to start with a free consultation.
Clinically reviewed by Charles Knoppel, BCBA · Updated October 2026
At a glance
| Nearest center | 1939 NJ-70, Cherry Hill: about 42 miles away |
|---|---|
| Main model here | In-home ABA, with parent training built in |
| Also available | Center-based days in Cherry Hill; school & community support |
| Insurance | Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare & most major plans; free benefits check |
| Clinical lead | Charles Knoppel, BCBA |
How does ABA fit into a busy Lakewood household?
Many Lakewood families we talk with have several children, full school days and tight evening routines. ABA has to fit into that life, not compete with it. That is a big reason In-Home ABA Therapy is our main way of serving Lakewood: the therapist comes to you, and the skills your child learns are the ones your home actually needs.
Our BCBA starts by asking which parts of the day are hardest. For one family it is the morning rush; for another it is mealtime, bedtime or a younger sibling's toys. Goals get written around those moments, and sessions are scheduled when they can make the most difference, often after school or around family routines you tell us matter.
- Sibling-aware goalssharing, waiting, turn-taking and playing near brothers and sisters are real, teachable skills
- Routine-based teachingnatural environment teaching folds practice into meals, dressing and play
- Respect for your hometell us about family customs, schedules or days to avoid and we plan around them
Is there an ABA center in Lakewood?
Not ours. Innovative ABA has one center, at 1939 NJ-70 in Cherry Hill. Route 70 runs west from the Lakewood area across the Pine Barrens to our door, which some families find makes occasional center days simpler to picture, but it is still about 42 miles. We will never tell you a center is closer than it is.
For children who need a structured full day with peers, our Full-Day Center-Based ABA program is available to Lakewood families who choose to travel. Most Lakewood children we serve do their ABA at home, sometimes with community outings added as goals advance.
My child goes to a private school. Can they still get an IEP or school support?
In New Jersey, the public school district where a child lives is generally responsible for evaluating children 3 and older who may have a disability, including children enrolled in nonpublic schools. In Lakewood that means the Lakewood School District's Child Study Team. The services offered to a nonpublic student can differ from an IEP in a public school, so ask the district how it works for your child.
Our school & community-based ABA program can support a child in school only when the school welcomes it. Either way, our BCBA can align home goals with what teachers are working on, so your child practices the same skills in both places.
What will the first ABA assessment at our Lakewood home involve?
The assessment is led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and usually takes place in your home, where your child is most comfortable and where the goals will be practiced. Expect the BCBA to spend time playing with your child, watching how they communicate, and noticing what they enjoy, because those interests become the reinforcement that motivates learning.
The BCBA will also run a structured skills assessment covering areas like communication, imitation, play, self-care and following directions. If there are challenging behaviors, such as tantrums, aggression or running off, the BCBA adds a functional behavior assessment to understand what triggers the behavior and what your child gets from it. Knowing the reason lets us teach a safer, easier way to get the same need met.
You are a big part of this step. We will ask about daily routines, what has helped before, and what you most want to change. All of that goes into a written treatment plan with measurable goals, which we submit to your insurer for authorization before regular sessions start.
How does parent training help when there are other kids at home?
Parent training is what keeps progress going between sessions. Through our parent training & support program, our BCBA shows you exactly what the RBT is doing: how to prompt, how to use reinforcement, and how to respond calmly to challenging behavior so it does not grow. We practice with you, not lecture at you.
In larger families we often talk about consistency across caregivers. If grandparents, older siblings or a babysitter help out, we can show them a few simple strategies too. When everyone responds the same way, children learn faster and behaviors settle sooner.
ABA programs for Lakewood
Full-Day Center-Based ABA
Structured, full-day programming at our Cherry Hill center, with school-readiness built in.
Learn more →ABA Therapy for Children
One-on-one, play-based ABA that builds communication, social and daily-living skills.
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 →More Ocean County communities we serve
Innovative ABA – Cherry Hill, NJ
Innovative ABA
1939 NJ-70
Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08003
(732) 691-1299
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
On Route 70 on the east side of Cherry Hill, near the Marlton line. Center-based care happens here; our in-home and community team travels across South Jersey and the Philadelphia area.
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
Can ABA sessions be scheduled around school and family routines?
Yes. We build the schedule with you during intake and plan around school hours, family routines and days you need to keep free. In-home sessions are often after school. The schedule depends on RBT availability in your area, so we confirm specific times before sessions begin.
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 clinician, such as a developmental pediatrician or psychologist. If you are still waiting on an evaluation, call us anyway. We can explain what insurers typically look for and help you plan the next steps.
Does insurance cover in-home ABA in Lakewood?
Many plans do. New Jersey's autism mandate requires many state-regulated plans to cover medically necessary ABA, while self-funded employer plans follow federal rules. We accept most major plans, including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Tricare and UnitedHealthcare, and we check your benefits for free before you commit.
Does Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare cover ABA?
Public programs like NJ FamilyCare can cover ABA for eligible children in general. Whether we can bill your specific plan is something we confirm case by case, so call us with your card and we will tell you honestly. If we are not the right fit for your coverage, we will say so.
Can you work with my child's younger siblings in the same sessions?
ABA sessions focus on the child in treatment, but siblings are often part of the goals. Sharing, waiting a turn, and playing side by side are skills best practiced with real brothers and sisters. The BCBA will decide when and how siblings join so the session stays productive.
Which other Ocean County towns do you serve?
We serve families across Ocean County, including Toms River, Brick Township and Jackson Township. The model is the same throughout the county: in-home ABA first, with community sessions and optional center days in Cherry Hill. Visit our Ocean County ABA therapy page for the full picture.
Start ABA in Lakewood
Call (732) 691-1299 or reach out online. We will check your benefits for free and build a schedule that works for your household.