Newly diagnosed

If your child was just diagnosed, here’s where to start.

A diagnosis brings a lot of questions. Start with whichever question is loudest, and we’ll talk through the answers.

Start a conversation Or talk it through with us · 703-634-3532

Sensory gym with a rainbow mural, colorful play tent and small trampoline

Front-facing bookshelf full of children’s picture books

Circle Time room with a chalkboard and colorful floor mats

You’re not behind

Your child is the same kid they were last week. The diagnosis gives you a name for what you’ve been noticing, and a way to find help.

Joanna, our founder, started where you are. Her daughter Zoe was diagnosed with autism in 2020.
That experience led her to build the kind of clinic she had been looking for.

What ABA is, in plain language

ABA teaches skills in small steps, using things your child already enjoys. If your child loves trains, a session might use trains to practice asking for more, taking turns, or waiting.

It looks like play. Games and hands-on activities, not worksheets.
A behavior analyst (BCBA) designs your child’s plan and adjusts it as needed to make sure it’s working for your child.
A therapist (RBT) works with your child one-on-one and gets to know them well.
We focus on communication and independence, and we never target harmless behaviors just because they look different.

Pop-it fidget toys, a box of crayons and a coloring book — Therapy here looks like play, because it is.

If you’re a TRICARE family

We accept TRICARE, and we’ll walk you through the process. ABA coverage runs through the Autism Care Demonstration (ACD), which works differently from your regular medical benefit.

Your child must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan.
Your child requires an autism diagnosis for services to be covered by insurance.
Active-duty families also enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO).
In Virginia, Humana Military handles referrals and authorizations. We’ll help you work out exactly what you need.

More about this

The ACD is currently authorized through December 31, 2028. EFMP is your service branch’s Exceptional Family Member Program; ECHO is TRICARE’s Extended Care Health Option.

What happens next

Five steps to get started, and we’ll explain each one before we take it.

1.Call or message us. We ask about your child first, and you ask us anything.
2.We check your insurance and tell you what it covers before anything else happens.
3.Your child visits the clinic for an assessment, and we get to know you both.
4.You get a plan you can read: each goal, why it matters for your child, and how we’ll show you it’s working.
5.Therapy begins. Your child meets their team and the other kids, and settles into a routine.

Three members of our clinical team in matching Imagine That T-shirts — Some of the people your child will get to know.

Questions worth asking on your first call

Not sure what to ask? Start here, and add your own. These work for any ABA clinic you’re considering, including us.

What does a typical session look like for a child my age?
What will my child do on their first day?
Who will work with my child day to day, and what training do they have?
How will you involve me and keep me updated on my child’s progress?
What happens when my child gets upset?
What does my insurance cover, and what will I owe?
If we have TRICARE, what referrals and authorizations do we need?
What do you need from me before an assessment?
How soon could my child start?

From a family who was once where you are

“Before my son's diagnosis, he was receiving in home speech therapy services through ITC, yet he showed no signs of progress. At the age of 2.5, we received a formal diagnosis, which brought about significant uncertainty and anxiety regarding his future. Shortly thereafter, we discovered Imagine That Therapy. For those unfamiliar, the executive director of this center has a child on the autism spectrum, and the center was founded to assist families facing similar challenges. Imagine That Therapy has significantly surpassed our expectations. Over the course of eight months in ABA therapy, my child progressed from verbalizing only the word "no" to being able to articulate all of the letters, numbers, and colors, as well as making simple requests like "more" and "help," utilizing both speech and sign language. He has also acquired basic greetings such as "hi" and "bye bye," accompanied by a wave. His ABA therapists, including Scott, Alex, Jazmine, Eleanor, and others, have been exceptional. Additionally, he receives speech therapy from Daryn, who is truly remarkable. The impact these professionals have had on my son's life in such a brief period is profound. My husband and I were literally in tears once he started to talk. We cannot wait to see what the future holds. Sincerest gratitude to Joanna and the team.”

Crystal M. · March 2025Review on Google

See all parent reviews →

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FAQ

Questions parents ask

My child was just diagnosed. Where do I start?

You don’t need to have it figured out before you call; that’s what the first conversation is for. After that: a benefits and fit check, an assessment, a treatment plan, and then therapy begins.

What if I’m not sure what to do next?

You do not need to have everything figured out before you call. A diagnosis gives you a starting point, and we can help you understand what comes next. Joanna, our founder, was in the same position when her daughter Zoe was diagnosed in 2020.

Not quite your situation?

Switching providers

You know ABA. You’re looking for the right fit.