When your child is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it’s normal to feel a mix of love, worry, and a thousand questions about what comes next. One of the most helpful steps many families take is starting early intervention ABA therapy during the toddler and preschool years.
At Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers, we provide center-based, play-based ABA therapy designed for young children and their caregivers. Our goal is simple and powerful: help children build meaningful, functional skills that support everyday life now and create a strong foundation for what’s next.
There’s A Place for You at Midwest.
The power of early intervention during the toddler and preschool years
Early childhood is a critical time for learning. Toddlers and preschoolers are developing communication, social understanding, play, routines, and independence at a rapid pace. When we provide evidence-based support early, we can help children practice essential skills in a way that feels motivating, natural, and developmentally appropriate.
Early ABA therapy can be especially impactful because it focuses on:
- Building skills that make daily life smoother at home and in the community
- Reducing frustration by teaching functional ways to communicate
- Strengthening readiness for group routines, transitions, and learning environments
At Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers, we use a family-centered, neuropositive approach to early intervention ABA therapy—supporting your child’s unique strengths while teaching skills that promote confidence, connection, and independence.
Why center-based ABA therapy can help children thrive
A center-based early intervention ABA therapy gives children the chance to learn in an environment intentionally designed for early development: structured routines, supportive transitions, safe play spaces, and consistent opportunities for peer interaction.
In our professional clinic environments, children can practice skills across different activities and with different people—an important part of making skills “stick” beyond a single moment or room. It also allows our team to build a day that resembles a preschool experience, blending learning with play, movement, and connection.
Three core areas where young children can make big strides
At Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers, we often see growth accelerate when therapy targets the skills that matter most in daily life. For many toddlers and preschoolers, that means focusing on communication, social skills, and daily living skills.
Communication: building functional communication that reduces frustration
When a child can express wants and needs, the world becomes less overwhelming—and relationships become more joyful. We work on functional communication in ways that fit your child, which may include vocal language, gestures, visual supports, or AAC support (when appropriate).
Examples of early communication goals may include:
- Requesting preferred items or activities (toys, snacks, help, breaks)
- Answering simple questions and following simple directions
- Tolerating “wait” and learning flexible communication during transitions
- Expanding play-based language (labels, actions, early conversation skills)
Communication isn’t just about words—it’s about being understood. Our play-based teaching helps children practice communication in real moments that matter.
Social skills: learning to play, connect, and understand social cues
Social development in early childhood often happens through play. That’s why we focus on skills like playing alongside others, joining in, and responding to social cues—all within supportive, coached experiences.
In a center-based early intervention program, children have frequent chances to practice:
- Turn-taking and sharing materials
- Joining group activities (songs, games, simple cooperative play)
- Responding to names, greetings, and peer interaction
- Understanding basic social cues (stop/go, waiting, “my turn/your turn”)
We also support children when social moments feel big. When a child is overwhelmed, our team practices sensory and grounding skills to help them regulate and re-engage.
Daily living skills: independence at home and confidence in routines
Daily living skills are the building blocks of independence—and they often reduce stress for the entire family. We support practical, age-appropriate skills that help children participate more fully in family routines.
Depending on your child’s needs, goals may include:
- Eating skills and mealtime routines
- Following simple schedules and transitions (first/then, clean up, getting ready)
- Toileting readiness and toileting routines
- Increasing independence with dressing, handwashing, and staying with a caregiver in public spaces
When daily living skills improve, families often notice smoother mornings, calmer evenings, and more confident community outings.
Building school readiness through play-based ABA
School readiness is about much more than letters and numbers. For many children with ASD, being ready for school means being able to participate in a group setting, tolerate transitions, follow classroom routines, and communicate needs.
Our early intervention ABA program supports school readiness skills like:
- Sitting with a group for short periods (and building stamina over time)
- Following classroom-style directions (line up, clean up, hands to self)
- Learning through imitation, shared attention, and simple peer play
- Practicing early pre-academic behaviors (attending, matching, responding, early fine-motor tasks)
Because our day is designed to feel like a preschool environment, children get repeated practice with the same types of routines they’ll see in school—just with far more individualized support.
How the Vineland assessment supports your child and your family
Every child’s autism journey is unique. To guide that journey with clarity and compassion, Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers includes the Vineland assessment as part of understanding a child’s current skills and needs.
The Vineland focuses on real-life areas of development (like communication and daily living skills), helping our team and your family:
- Identify strengths to build on
- Pinpoint priority skill areas for daily life
- Track progress in meaningful, functional ways
- Shape goals that support home routines and school readiness
Most importantly, it helps keep the plan grounded in what matters: your child’s ability to participate, connect, and grow in everyday environments.
Individualized treatment with 1:1 support, led by compassionate experts
At Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers, every child receives an Individualized Treatment Plan and a 1:1 ratio for therapy time. That means your child isn’t expected to “fit” a one-size-fits-all program—our program is built around your child.
Our teams are led by experienced and compassionate BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) and supported by dedicated RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians) who are with your child throughout the day. Together, we work on:
- Individual skill development
- Group engagement and peer routines
- Communication across activities
- Sensory supports and grounding strategies when your child feels overwhelmed
We also prioritize collaboration with caregivers through regular updates, training, and shared planning—because progress is strongest when center and home work together.
What does a day look like at Midwest? My day at MIDWEST!
While ABA is indeed therapy, your child’s day will feel a lot like a preschool environment—full of fun, play, learning, and connection.
Here’s what we joyfully work on in-center:
| Part of the day | What it looks like | Skills we build |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & crafts | Painting, coloring, gluing, simple projects | Following directions, fine-motor skills, attention, task completion |
| Group motor movement | Like recess or gym time | Coordination, imitation, teamwork, transitions, safe body skills |
| Group snack & lunch | Eating together, cleaning up, practicing manners | Social skills, requesting, waiting, independence during mealtimes |
| Sensory play | Exploring textures, calming and regulating activities | Emotional regulation, coping skills, sensory tolerance, grounding strategies |
| Circle time & group activities | Songs, shared activities, short lessons | Sitting with a group, turn-taking, joint attention, early classroom routines |
| One-on-one learning | Individualized teaching time | Your child’s unique goals across communication, social, and daily living |
| Play time | Pretend play, peer play, guided interaction | Social interaction, imagination, flexible play, friendship-building skills |
There’s a place for you at Midwest
If you’re exploring early intervention ABA therapy for your toddler or preschooler, we’re here to help you take the next step with clarity and support.
Ready to begin?
Visit https://midwestautismservices.com/new-client/ to fill out our enrollment form
Don’t wait for ABA - call today at 1 (515) 513-9649 to speak with our team.