Our NDBI Approach to ABA Therapy
Elevated Kids provides individualized, child-led, play-based ABA therapy for young children diagnosed with Autism (ages 0–8). Our Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) approach brings behavioral and developmental science together through play, relationships, and everyday routines. We partner with families to shape meaningful goals and embed learning in the experiences that matter to each child.
Not all ABA looks the same
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science of learning. How that science is put into practice shapes a child’s experience of care, from the goals we shape together to the activities, relationships, and routines through which learning happens. Families deserve to understand what that will look and feel like for their child.
At Elevated Kids, we bring behavioral and developmental science together in an approach designed for young children. We follow each child’s interests, build trusting relationships, and embed intentional teaching in play and everyday routines. Connection, joy, and family partnership are central to how we support meaningful learning.
Why NDBI for young children?
Young children learn while playing, exploring, moving, and connecting with the people around them. Their interests and everyday experiences offer meaningful opportunities to communicate, discover something new, and build skills.
When we apply the science of learning with young children, understanding child development is essential: what to teach, when to teach it, and how to make learning meaningful for that child.
Our NDBI approach combines intentional, measurable teaching with play, relationships, and familiar routines. We build on each child’s strengths and interests while thoughtfully supporting their individualized goals.
What does learning feel like?
It might feel like singing a favorite song, sending cars down a ramp, splashing at the water table, or getting ready to go outside together.
The clinician joins your child’s play, builds connection, and creates opportunities for learning within the experience. Your child leads the play, and the clinician brings developmental understanding and intentional teaching.
Our approach weaves teaching into shared activities, giving children opportunities to initiate, choose, explore, and communicate throughout the interaction.
There is science behind the play…and plenty of laughter, movement, and fun!
What Guides Our Care
Connection comes first
We begin by getting to know the child: what makes them light up, how they communicate, and what helps them feel comfortable and connected. We meet children where they are, honor them as they are, and support their growth from there.
Learning happens in everyday life
We create opportunities for learning during play and familiar routines: at home, at preschool or daycare, and in the community. Skills are most meaningful when children can use them in the places and relationships that are part of their lives.
Families are partners
Parents and caregivers know their children in ways no clinician can. We listen to their priorities, develop goals together, and offer coaching that fits their family’s routines. Families bring essential knowledge, strengths, and perspectives to the care team, and we work together to support each child’s growth.
Children’s strengths and choices matter
We follow each child’s lead, build on their interests, and offer meaningful choices. Our child-led, neurodiversity-affirming care supports communication, connection, and confidence through play and everyday experiences, while honoring each child’s choices and ways of engaging with the world.
Supporting children through challenging moments
When a child is having a hard time, we look at what they may be communicating and what support they need. We consider the environment, help the child feel safe and regulated, and work with families on communication and coping skills that are appropriate for that child’s development.
Play Is the Way
For young children, play is a natural way to explore, connect, and learn. We follow each child’s interests to offer care that is clinically intentional and measurable while still feeling like childhood, full of joy, connection, wonder, and a little magic.
Learning That Belongs in Your Child’s Day
What guides our care
- Child-led, intentional teaching
- Playful learning opportunities
- Natural environments
- Everyday routines
- Natural reinforcement
- Developmentally responsive support
- Choice, comfort, and autonomy
- Family partnership
- Ongoing clinical guidance
What it can feel like for your child and family
- Your child chooses the toy animals, and the clinician joins in, finding opportunities for communication and shared play within the activity your child enjoys.
- During a favorite song, the clinician pauses and welcomes your child’s signal to keep singing. A gesture, sound, word, or other form of communication becomes part of the fun.
- Care happens where your child plays and participates: at home, in preschool or daycare, in the community, or within the play spaces at Elevated Play.
- Your child practices making choices while getting dressed, asking for help with a snack container, or participating in cleanup alongside you.
- Your child signals they want another push, and the swinging continues; they communicate that they need help, and you open the toy together. Their communication leads to a meaningful response within the activity they enjoy.
- The clinician adjusts the pace, language, materials, and level of help to meet your child where they are and build on what they can already do.
- Your child can express preferences, invite someone into their play, take a break, or communicate that they need something different. Those signals help guide care.
- We work alongside you during familiar routines, listen to what matters to your family, and explore strategies together in the moments you want support with.
- We use observations, learning data, and your feedback to adjust support within a familiar game or routine as your child’s communication and participation grow.
What guides our care | What it can feel like for your child and family |
|---|---|
| Child-led, intentional teaching | Your child chooses the toy animals, and the clinician joins in, finding opportunities for communication and shared play within the activity your child enjoys. |
| Playful learning opportunities | During a favorite song, the clinician pauses and welcomes your child’s signal to keep singing. A gesture, sound, word, or other form of communication becomes part of the fun. |
| Natural environments | Care happens where your child plays and participates: at home, in preschool or daycare, in the community, or within the play spaces at Elevated Play. |
| Everyday routines | Your child practices making choices while getting dressed, asking for help with a snack container, or participating in cleanup alongside you. |
| Natural reinforcement | Your child signals they want another push, and the swinging continues; they communicate that they need help, and you open the toy together. Their communication leads to a meaningful response within the activity they enjoy. |
| Developmentally responsive support | The clinician adjusts the pace, language, materials, and level of help to meet your child where they are and build on what they can already do. |
| Choice, comfort, and autonomy | Your child can express preferences, invite someone into their play, take a break, or communicate that they need something different. Those signals help guide care. |
| Family partnership | We work alongside you during familiar routines, listen to what matters to your family, and explore strategies together in the moments you want support with. |
| Ongoing clinical guidance | We use observations, learning data, and your feedback to adjust support within a familiar game or routine as your child’s communication and participation grow. |
“Services were amazing. The connection that was made was incredible. Completely in tune to my son and his specific needs. I can't say enough good.”
Explore Care for Your Child
Whether you’re seeking an evaluation or exploring care for your child, we’re here to listen, answer your questions, and support you every step of the way.