# developmentaljourneys.com > AI-friendly documentation for developmentaljourneys.com *Complete documentation content below* # Quality Autism Care Close to Home > In-home ABA therapy for families across rural Tennessee. Assessments, parent coaching and school collaboration, from Watertown to Cookeville. Serving Rural Tennessee You shouldn't have to travel hours to get the support your child deserves. We bring compassionate, evidence-based ABA therapy directly to your family - because that's where it's most effective. [Schedule a Consultation ](/get-started)[Learn more](/services) Home Based Therapy • Family Led Support • Developmental Journeys • Home Based Therapy • Family Led Support • Developmental Journeys • Home Based Therapy • Family Led Support • Developmental Journeys • Home Based Therapy • Family Led Support • Developmental Journeys • We come to you ## Are we in your neighborhood? All of our therapy happens in your home and community, so the first question is whether we reach your town. Type it in and find out. Enter your town - e.g. Cookeville **11 **counties **50 **towns & cities **100% **in your home Serving **Middle Tennessee** Counties we serve Cannon Davidson DeKalb Macon Putnam Rutherford Smith Sumner Trousdale Wilson Autism / ASD Therapy ## ABA Therapy's Powerful Impact The Developmental Journeys model of ABA Therapy has a powerful impact on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the families that care for them. Here's how we help them thrive. [See how it works](/for-families) ### Behavior Improvement Evidence-based strategies that help children develop positive behaviors to replace challenging ones. ### Life Skill Acquisition Empower children to build independence though essential daily living skills - from communication and self-care to social interaction. ### Academic Achievement Targeted support that helps children develop learning readiness & the focus to thrive in educational settings. Our Services ## Therapy that fits into your life In your home. Built around your child. Whether you need therapy, an assessment, coaching, or someone in the room at the next IEP meeting, we come to you. ### Getting to know your child Get to know your child in their natural environment with an in-home evaluation. ### Home-Based ABA Therapy Sessions happen at your kitchen table, in your backyard, wherever your child actually lives their life. ### School Collaboration School, IEP meetings, community settings - when it's clinically right, we extend our support beyond your home. ### Parent Training Hands-on coaching that helps caregivers use proven ABA strategies with confidence at home. [Explore All Services](/services) The Process ## Your Path Forward, Step by Step We guide your family through every part of the process - from your very first call to your child's first session and beyond. [Family Guide ](/for-families)[Get Started Today](/for-families) 01 ### Free Consultation Call Tell us about your child and your family. We'll answer every question and help you figure out if ABA is the right fit. 02 ### Insurance Verification We handle the paperwork. Our team verifies your benefits and walks you through authorization from start to finish. It can take a few weeks - we'll keep you posted the whole way. 03 ### Initial Assessment A BCBA comes to your home for about two hours. They'll talk with you, observe your child, and start mapping out what your family's plan could look like. 04 ### Therapy Begins Therapy starts where your child lives - your home, your community, the places that matter most. Goals built around your family. A team that shows up consistently. Insurance Plans We've got you covered Insurance for ABA can feel like a maze. So we handle verifying benefits, navigating authorizations, and help translate the paperwork into your care options. Don't see your plan?  [Let's talk about your options](/get-started) Meet the Founders ## Two Moms. One Mission. [Our team & story](/about) Developmental Journeys ABA was built on a simple belief: every child in rural Tennessee deserves access to quality care - no matter their zip code. Our founders bring both clinical expertise and the perspective of parents who have walked this road themselves. - Rural Tennessee focus Care built for families outside the big-city clinic radius. - Clinicians & parents Expertise from the field and the kitchen table. - We show up In-home and in-community - where your child lives. Lori Waltman & Carmen Brown In-home · Lebanon to Cookeville Expert ABA therapy, right at your door. By parents of children on the spectrum, for families who've waited long enough. [Get started](/get-started) --- # About Developmental Journeys > ABA professionals and parents of children with autism. They built Developmental Journeys so rural Tennessee families could get the care they deserve. This is the practice we always wished for with our own families. _So we built it for yours._ Developmental Journeys ABA - founded in 2025 in Watertown, Tennessee, serving families between Lebanon and Cookeville. Rural Tennessee ✦ BCBA-Supervised ✦ Family-First Care ✦ In-Home & In-Community ✦ Founded 2025 ✦ Caregiver Coaching ✦ Rural Tennessee ✦ BCBA-Supervised ✦ Family-First Care ✦ In-Home & In-Community ✦ Founded 2025 ✦ Caregiver Coaching ✦ Rural Tennessee ✦ BCBA-Supervised ✦ Family-First Care ✦ In-Home & In-Community ✦ Founded 2025 ✦ Caregiver Coaching ✦ Rural Tennessee ✦ BCBA-Supervised ✦ Family-First Care ✦ In-Home & In-Community ✦ Founded 2025 ✦ Caregiver Coaching ✦ ## There's a gap in rural Tennessee. We built this practice to address the needs of the families in our community. In rural Tennessee, the average wait for an autism evaluation runs between 18 months and 3 years. The wait for ABA therapy that follows can be just as long. The closest in-network providers are usually in Nashville - an hour or more away, multiple times a week, while you're managing work, school, siblings, and the daily reality of raising a child with autism. Our practice exists so that your child's needs can be met while they're still developing. Families in Wilson, DeKalb, Smith, and Putnam Counties deserve better than a multi-year wait and a 90-minute drive. 18mo–3yr average wait for autism evaluations, rural TN 1hr+ to nearest Nashville provider 2025 year we decided enough was enough ## Why Developmental Journeys ### Where you live shouldn't determine the care you get. We don't serve rural Tennessee as a coverage-map afterthought or as a side offering from a Nashville-based practice. It's the entire reason this practice exists. Our service area was the starting point - not the limit. ### You're not in the waiting room. You're in the room. Caregiver coaching isn't a service we sell separately - it's how every program works. Parents and caregivers are part of the treatment team from session one. Because therapy is an hour, but your family is the rest of the day. ### We don't do session-as-billing-unit. We built this the way we'd want it for our own children. Smaller caseloads, so your therapist isn't scheduled to the minute. More time per family. The person deciding what your child needs is the person in the room with them. ### Honesty is part of the clinical work. If ABA isn't the right fit for your child, we'll tell you. If a goal isn't progressing, you'll see it in the data. We won't recommend hours your child doesn't need. The relationship works because we treat you like an adult who can handle the truth. Our credentials & coverage - Clinical BACB Certified ADOS-2 Trained BCBA-Supervised - Insurance BCBS Cigna TennCare TEIS Katie Beckett Waiver - Compliance FERPA & HIPAA Compliant Founded 2025 Watertown, TN ## Meet the Founders Two moms who built the practice they always wished existed - because they know what families like yours are going through. Clinical Director ## Lori Waltman BCBA, MEd, PhD (c) BCBA, PhD candidate, and autism mom. Lori brings 10+ years of clinical experience - and lived experience - to every family she serves. [Read full profile](/about/lori-waltman) Director of Operations ## Carmen Brown RBT Autism mom, 20-year insurance veteran, and parent advocate. Carmen turns the overwhelming parts of the system into a path families can actually walk. [Read full profile](/about/carmen-brown) How to get started The first step is just\ a conversation. --------------- We'll listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out whether we're the right fit for your family. [Request a Consultation ](/get-started)[See How We Work](/for-families) --- # Carmen Brown > Autism mom, 20-year insurance veteran, and parent advocate. Carmen turns the overwhelming parts of the system into a path families can actually walk. RBT Director of Operations Specializations - Insurance Navigation & Benefits - Family Advocacy - Service Access & Authorization - Caregiver Empowerment - Early Childhood Development - IEP Navigation - Co-occurring Conditions - Parent Special Needs Advocacy Autism mom, 20-year insurance veteran, and parent advocate. Carmen turns the overwhelming parts of the system into a path families can actually walk. Carmen Brown knows what it feels like to sit on the other side of the table. As the mother of four children, three of whom have autism along with additional diagnoses, she has spent 17 years in IEP meetings, therapy waiting rooms, insurance phone queues, and community programs. That experience didn't just make her a better advocate for her own family. It became the lens through which she serves every family at Developmental Journeys ABA. Before co-founding the practice, Carmen spent 20 years in the insurance industry. She reads authorizations, benefit structures and funding pathways the way most people read a menu. She spent nearly a decade in the ABA field as a Registered Behavior Technician and also taught in a developmental preschool, grounding her in both direct care and early childhood learning differences. Carmen is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking and a published contributor to Exceptional Needs Today magazine. She advocates for families at both the state and national levels, with a consistent focus on expanding equitable access to services and amplifying parent voice in treatment planning. As Director of Operations, Carmen is the reason the paperwork, the scheduling and the insurance side hold together - so families can focus on their child. She believes providers should walk beside parents and leave them with something they can still use a year later. When she's not supporting families, Carmen is homeschooling her children, cheering on her husband as a football coach, and finding ways to bring learning and connection into everyday life. ### Exposing Florida's Mental and Behavioral Health Crisis Florida Partners in Policymaking ### Howard Phillips Center [← Meet the Team](/about#team) --- # Lori Waltman > BCBA, PhD candidate, and autism mom. Lori brings 10+ years of clinical experience - and lived experience - to every family she serves. BCBA, MEd, PhD (c) Clinical Director - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-waltman-29b64254) Specializations - Autism Spectrum Disorder - ADHD - ODD - Anxiety Disorders - OCD - PTSD - Co-occurring Conditions - Early Intervention (18 months+) - In-Home ABA - Crisis & Behavior Safety Planning - School Collaboration & IEP Support - ADOS Assessment BCBA, PhD candidate, and autism mom. Lori brings 10+ years of clinical experience - and lived experience - to every family she serves. Lori Waltman didn't find ABA therapy in a textbook. She found it as a mother. In her early twenties, Lori was raising a daughter with self-injurious behaviors, frequent outbursts, and mild developmental delays - and supporting a nephew who was non-verbal with significant behavioral needs. Wanting to understand how to help them, she went back to school. Before long, both her daughter and her nephew received autism diagnoses. Those experiences didn't just shape her professionally. They became the foundation of everything she does. Lori holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Communication Disorders (with a minor in Child Psychology) and a Master of Education in Special Education. After earning her graduate degree, she pursued post-master's training in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in May 2016. She is currently approximately 50% through a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis. Over more than a decade, Lori has practiced ABA across nearly every setting imaginable: public school classrooms in Illinois, in-home agencies, ABA clinics, group homes through Tennessee's Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), and hospital-based IDD programs. She has worked with individuals from 18 months old to their eighties. Her clinical range spans Autism Spectrum Disorder and the conditions that often come with it: ADHD, ODD, anxiety, OCD, PTSD. She is also one of the few rural Tennessee providers trained to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2). She co-founded Developmental Journeys ABA because she wanted to build the practice she always wished had existed - one that treats families as partners, meets them where they are (literally), and never loses sight of the real human beings at the center of every treatment plan. "My goal is to partner with families, provide guidance without criticism, and offer practical, respectful strategies that fit into real life." [← Meet the Team](/about#team) --- # Guides for Tennessee families navigating ABA therapy > Helpful articles for parents navigating ABA therapy, autism diagnoses, and raising children in rural communities. Articles Helpful articles for parents navigating ABA therapy, autism diagnoses, and raising children in rural communities. [Early Intervention August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) ## [Stuck on Tennessee's Autism Diagnosis Waitlist? Here's What You Can Do Right Now](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Waiting on Tennessee's autism diagnosis waitlist? Here's exactly what you can start doing this week, diagnosis or not.](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Read this](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Funding August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/teis) ## [TEIS in Tennessee: Free Early Intervention for Autism - No Diagnosis Required](/blog/teis) [TEIS is free early intervention for Tennessee children under 3, and you can start before you have an autism diagnosis. Here's how eligibility and referral work.](/blog/teis) [Read this](/blog/teis) [Early Intervention August 30, 2026 7 min read](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) ## [The Invisible Waiting Room: The Second Wait No One Tells Rural Tennessee Parents About](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [There isn't one wait for autism support in rural Tennessee. There are two - and the second one is invisible.](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [Read this](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) ## You don't need to have everything figured out. Our first conversation is just that - a conversation. We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) --- # Early Intervention | Blog | Developmental Journeys > What Tennessee families can do before a diagnosis is in hand: TEIS, the diagnostic waitlist, and where the real bottlenecks are. - ## [Stuck on Tennessee's Autism Diagnosis Waitlist? Here's What You Can Do Right Now](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Waiting on Tennessee's autism diagnosis waitlist? Here's exactly what you can start doing this week, diagnosis or not.](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) - ## [The Invisible Waiting Room: The Second Wait No One Tells Rural Tennessee Parents About](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [There isn't one wait for autism support in rural Tennessee. There are two - and the second one is invisible.](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [August 30, 2026 7 min read](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) --- # Funding | Blog | Developmental Journeys > Insurance, Medicaid waivers, and other funding paths that help Tennessee families pay for ABA therapy and related services. - ## [TEIS in Tennessee: Free Early Intervention for Autism - No Diagnosis Required](/blog/teis) [TEIS is free early intervention for Tennessee children under 3, and you can start before you have an autism diagnosis. Here's how eligibility and referral work.](/blog/teis) [August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/teis) --- # Test Category | Blog | Developmental Journeys > Description Here No posts in this category yet. --- # Stuck on Tennessee's Autism Diagnosis Waitlist? Here's What You Can Do Right Now > Three things a family in the Lebanon-to-Cookeville corridor can do this week while waiting for an autism evaluation, none of which need a diagnosis first. On this page 1. [Half of Tennessee's Autistic Eight-Year-Olds Missed the Window](#half-of-tennessee-s-autistic-eight-year-olds-missed-the-window) 1. ["Can We Start?" Is Not "Do We Have a Diagnosis?"](#can-we-start-is-not-do-we-have-a-diagnosis) 1. [The ADOS-2 Pathway](#the-ados-2-pathway) 1. [Three Things You Can Do This Week](#three-things-you-can-do-this-week) 1. [How Long This Actually Takes](#how-long-this-actually-takes) 1. [Talk to Us, Diagnosis or Not](#talk-to-us-diagnosis-or-not) You called about an autism evaluation for your child. The soonest opening was months away, maybe longer. That's common in rural Tennessee, and it doesn't mean nothing can happen before that appointment finally arrives. There are things you can start this week. Not someday. This week. Some of them don't require a diagnosis at all. ## Half of Tennessee's Autistic Eight-Year-Olds Missed the Window Families in Wilson, DeKalb, Smith, and Putnam counties, and everywhere along the Lebanon to Cookeville corridor, already know the wait is longer here than it is an hour down the highway. The data backs that up. Tennessee's most recent statewide tracking found autism identified in about 1 in 36 children, slightly higher than the national rate. And less than half of the 8 year olds later identified with autism, and only two thirds of the 4 year olds, had actually received a full developmental evaluation by age 3. That's the window when intervention does the most good, and it's the window a lot of Tennessee kids are missing while they sit on a waitlist. That data explains why the wait feels endless. It also confirms something you probably already know: the system is slow, and your instincts about your child got there long before any specialist did. If you're still sorting out what early intervention actually looks like for a family in a rural area, we've laid out the bigger picture in [why early intervention matters, and what it looks like here](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support). This article is about the narrower question: what can you do right now, before a diagnosis is in hand. ## "Can We Start?" Is Not "Do We Have a Diagnosis?" Parents ask us some version of the same question all the time. Can my child start getting help before we have a diagnosis? The answer depends on which kind of help you're asking about. ### Can my child start early intervention without a diagnosis? Yes. If your child is under 3, Tennessee's Early Intervention System, known as TEIS, does not require a diagnosis or a referral from a physician. You can refer your own child today. The evaluation is free, and if your child qualifies, the services are free too. Age is the real gate here, not paperwork. We've written a full breakdown of [how TEIS works and what it covers](/blog/teis) if you want the details. ### Can my child start insurance funded ABA therapy without a diagnosis? This one needs to be precise. Tennessee law requires health insurance plans regulated by the state, including BCBS and Cigna, to cover autism treatment, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, on the same terms as other medically necessary care. But that coverage is triggered by a formal autism diagnosis. TennCare works the same way for children who qualify. It's Medicaid, and it still requires a diagnosis and a physician's order confirming that ABA is medically necessary. So if the plan is to move forward with insurance funded ABA, a diagnosis isn't optional. It's the door that has to open first. ## The ADOS-2 Pathway A year or more for a diagnostic appointment. Insurance that won't move without one. This is where most families get stuck. Lori Waltman, our clinical director, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) trained to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a structured diagnostic tool used in autism evaluations. She can't issue a medical diagnosis herself. No BCBA can. What she can do is come to your home, run the evaluation, and hand your child's physician a formal, standardized report they can act on. For a lot of families in this corridor, that report is the piece that finally gets things moving, without a drive to Nashville and without waiting behind everyone else on a clinic's list. [See what the ADOS-2 evaluation involves](/services/assessments). ## Three Things You Can Do This Week The American Academy of Pediatrics is direct about this. When a screening or a doctor's concern points toward autism, a child should be referred for intervention services right away, not once a diagnosis is confirmed. Waiting for one step before starting the other is exactly the kind of delay that costs kids the years that matter most. So here's where to start, wherever you're standing right now. - If your child is under 3, refer to TEIS yourself. You don't need to wait on anyone else to make that call. - At your child's next pediatrician visit, ask directly for an autism specific screening, even if one hasn't been offered yet. - If your child has aged out of the TEIS window, or you want documentation to help move insurance forward, ask us about an ADOS-2 evaluation. None of these require a diagnosis to begin. All three move you closer to one. ## How Long This Actually Takes We're not going to hand you a made up number here. Insurance authorization timing varies by carrier, and every family's situation looks a little different. What we can tell you is that once you're actively working with someone, referral, evaluation, report, physician review, that part of the process usually moves in weeks, not years. The years are what happen when a family is stuck on a waitlist with nobody to call. That's the part we can help you skip. ## Talk to Us, Diagnosis or Not You don't need paperwork in hand to reach out. If an ADOS-2 evaluation sounds like the right next step for your family, [here's what to expect](/services/assessments). If you're ready to talk about your situation more broadly, diagnosis or no diagnosis, [get started here](/get-started). Developmental Journeys Building Skills & Inspiring Futures Want to talk this through? We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) ## More guides for Tennessee families [Early Intervention August 30, 2026 7 min read](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) ## [The Invisible Waiting Room: The Second Wait No One Tells Rural Tennessee Parents About](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [There isn't one wait for autism support in rural Tennessee. There are two - and the second one is invisible.](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [Read this](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [Funding August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/teis) ## [TEIS in Tennessee: Free Early Intervention for Autism - No Diagnosis Required](/blog/teis) [TEIS is free early intervention for Tennessee children under 3, and you can start before you have an autism diagnosis. Here's how eligibility and referral work.](/blog/teis) [Read this](/blog/teis) ## You don't need to have everything figured out. Our first conversation is just that - a conversation. We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) --- # TEIS in Tennessee: Free Early Intervention for Autism - No Diagnosis Required > TEIS offers free early intervention for Tennessee children under 3, no autism diagnosis required. Here's exactly how eligibility and referral work. On this page 1. [What TEIS Actually Is](#what-teis-actually-is) 1. [Who Qualifies (There's More Than One Way In)](#who-qualifies-there-s-more-than-one-way-in) 1. [How to Make a Referral](#how-to-make-a-referral) 1. [What Happens After You Call](#what-happens-after-you-call) 1. [Where TEIS Reaches Its Limit](#where-teis-reaches-its-limit) 1. [Where Developmental Journeys ABA Fits](#where-developmental-journeys-aba-fits) If you're waiting on an autism diagnosis before you do anything else, you may be waiting longer than your child needs to. Tennessee has a program called the Tennessee Early Intervention System, TEIS for short, that can start supporting your child right now. A diagnosis isn't required to get in the door. We've written before about [why the earliest years matter so much for a child's development](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support), especially here in rural Tennessee, where families often wait the longest for answers. TEIS is one of the most useful tools available while you wait, and it's a program almost no one explains clearly. Here's exactly how it works. ## What TEIS Actually Is TEIS is a free, voluntary program for Tennessee infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. It's Tennessee's version of a federal program, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, that every state is required to offer in some form. In Tennessee, TEIS is run through the Department of Disability and Aging. "Early intervention" can sound clinical, but in practice it's usually a service coordinator and a therapist or educator working with your family, mostly in your own home, on skills like communication, movement, and daily routines. Finding out whether your child qualifies costs nothing. If your child does qualify, the services themselves are provided at no cost to your family too. ## Who Qualifies (There's More Than One Way In) This is the part most families get wrong, understandably, because it isn't intuitive. There are three separate ways to qualify, and your child only needs one of them. The first is a diagnosis. If your child already has a qualifying diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder among them, that alone can open the door. The second is a documented delay. If an evaluation shows your child is 25 percent behind in two developmental areas (things like communication, movement, thinking skills, self help, or social emotional development), or 40 percent behind in just one, that qualifies too. The third is prematurity, based on TEIS's own published guidelines for babies born early. Here's the sentence worth reading twice: your child does not need a formal autism diagnosis to qualify for TEIS. If you suspect something isn't quite right, your pediatrician has mentioned a concern, or you're sitting on a diagnosis waitlist that stretches into next year, you can still request a TEIS evaluation today. ## How to Make a Referral Anyone can refer a child to TEIS. Parents, grandparents, pediatricians, teachers, even a worried neighbor. You don't need a doctor's referral, a diagnosis, or anything in hand except a phone or a few free minutes. You can reach TEIS by: - Calling the statewide referral line at [(800) 852-7157](tel:+18008527157) - Completing the [online referral form](https://www.tn.gov/disability-and-aging/disability-aging-programs/teis.html) - Using the referral form inside the MyTN app Whichever way you reach out, have this ready: your child's name and date of birth, the county you live in, contact information for the parent (if someone else is making the call), and a short description of what's prompting the referral. That's the whole referral. ## What Happens After You Call Once TEIS receives your referral, an Eligibility Evaluation Agency reaches out to schedule your child's evaluation, typically using a standardized tool called the Battelle Developmental Inventory. If TEIS doesn't already have your child's medical records, they'll request them from your pediatrician. If your child is found eligible, you'll be assigned a Service Coordinator, and together you'll build an Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP. It's a plan built around your child's specific needs and your family's actual routines, not a generic template. Services can include developmental therapy, speech, occupational or physical therapy, and family coaching, almost always delivered in the places your child already spends their time. ## Where TEIS Reaches Its Limit TEIS is a real and valuable resource, and it isn't the whole answer. Referrals are only accepted before a child's 3rd birthday, and for most families, TEIS support winds down around that age as the local school district takes over. (Families already enrolled whose child is also found eligible for school based special education sometimes have the option to continue TEIS coordinated support a bit longer, through something called the Extended Option. That's a narrower path worth asking your Service Coordinator about directly rather than planning around from the outset.) TEIS is early intervention support, not insurance-funded ABA therapy, which still needs a formal diagnosis before it can be authorized. TEIS is a real bridge while your family works toward one. It isn't a substitute for it. We've laid out exactly [what it takes to move a diagnosis forward faster in rural Tennessee, and what your options look like in the meantime, here](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start). ## Where Developmental Journeys ABA Fits We're not TEIS, and we don't run it or replace it. If your child qualifies, take it, and if you want help working out what comes after, that's what we do. If your child is under 3 and you're calling TEIS today, we're glad to talk through your family's situation in the meantime, including parent coaching while you wait on an evaluation. If a diagnosis becomes part of your path, Lori, our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) trained in ADOS-2 assessment, can help move that process forward faster than the typical rural Tennessee waitlist. And once your child has a diagnosis and insurance authorization, in-home ABA therapy across the Lebanon to Cookeville corridor is exactly what we do. Call TEIS today if your child is under 3. It costs nothing, and there's no reason to wait for anyone's permission to make that call. If you'd like help thinking through what comes next for your family, or your child has aged out of TEIS, [reach out to us](/get-started) and we'll talk it through. Developmental Journeys Building Skills & Inspiring Futures Want to talk this through? We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) ## More guides for Tennessee families [Early Intervention August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) ## [Stuck on Tennessee's Autism Diagnosis Waitlist? Here's What You Can Do Right Now](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Waiting on Tennessee's autism diagnosis waitlist? Here's exactly what you can start doing this week, diagnosis or not.](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Read this](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Early Intervention August 30, 2026 7 min read](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) ## [The Invisible Waiting Room: The Second Wait No One Tells Rural Tennessee Parents About](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [There isn't one wait for autism support in rural Tennessee. There are two - and the second one is invisible.](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) [Read this](/blog/the-invisible-waiting-room-rural-autism-support) ## You don't need to have everything figured out. Our first conversation is just that - a conversation. We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) --- # The Invisible Waiting Room: The Second Wait No One Tells Rural Tennessee Parents About > Parents raise their first autism concern around 13 months. The median diagnosis comes at 47. What rural Tennessee families can do in the gap between them. On this page 1. [One Wait You Can See. One You Can't.](#one-wait-you-can-see-one-you-can-t) 1. [Thirteen Months to Forty-Seven Months](#thirteen-months-to-forty-seven-months) 1. [The Rural Version of This Problem](#the-rural-version-of-this-problem) 1. [You Don't Have to Wait for the Second Wait to End](#you-don-t-have-to-wait-for-the-second-wait-to-end) 1. [Two Places to Start](#two-places-to-start) 1. [Where to Go From Here](#where-to-go-from-here) _There isn't one wait for autism support in rural Tennessee. There are two - and the second one is invisible._ It starts at a well-child visit. The pediatrician watches your two-year-old for a few minutes, glances at a checklist, and says the phrase so many parents in Tennessee have heard: _let's keep an eye on it._ You drive home telling yourself it's probably nothing. Then it's midnight, and you're not sleeping. You're on your phone, searching things you never expected to type - what autism looks like in a two-year-old, whether there's anyone near you, how long the wait really is. The results are a wall of clinics in Nashville, most of them full. Nobody warned you this part existed. Nobody named it. You're not on a waitlist yet. You're just awake, alone with it, wondering if you're overreacting or if you already know. ## One Wait You Can See. One You Can't. Most families brace for one wait: the line for a diagnostic evaluation. That's the one everyone talks about - the one with a number attached, the one parents compare in Facebook groups. It's real, and in rural Tennessee it's long. But there's a second wait, and almost nobody names it. It's the stretch between the moment you first sense something is different and the moment anyone official gets involved. It happens quietly, at home, before a referral, before a form, before you've said anything out loud to anyone outside your own house. It's invisible because there's no line to stand in and no number to check. There's just you, noticing. Research on parent-reported timelines gives this some shape. Caregivers of children later diagnosed with autism typically raise their first concerns around 13 months old. The [median age of autism diagnosis in the U.S. is 47 months](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm). That's a gap of close to three years. Nearly three years of noticing, wondering, and often staying quiet about it, before any formal process has even started. Then comes the wait most people do expect: the one from referral to actual diagnosis. Parents report an [average wait of 1.2 years](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07081724) for that stage alone - a delay researchers in the field have described, without exaggeration, as having reached crisis levels. Two waits, stacked on top of each other. The second one gets talked about. The first one, the invisible one, is often the longer of the two, and it's the one nobody prepares you for. ## Thirteen Months to Forty-Seven Months None of this is really about impatience. It's about a well-documented window. The [American Academy of Pediatrics recommends](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/1/e20193447/36917/Identification-Evaluation-and-Management-of) that every child be screened specifically for autism at the 18-month and 24-month well-child visits. Its guidance goes further: recommending that children start receiving developmental support as soon as a concern is identified, without waiting for a formal autism diagnosis to be confirmed first. That guidance exists because early childhood is the period when a child's brain is forming new connections faster than it ever will again. A [2025 review of early intensive behavioral interventions](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12514992/) found associated gains of 9 to 15 IQ points in young children who started early, compared with children who started later. Results vary from child to child, and no study can predict what any one family will see. That's the real reason the window matters more than the wait: what happens during it is still within a family's control, even when the paperwork isn't. ## The Rural Version of This Problem In Lebanon, Watertown, Carthage, Cookeville, and the small towns between them, that gap runs longer still. One of the most-cited studies on the subject found that [children in rural areas are diagnosed, on average, about five months later](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2861294) than children in urban areas. A smaller number than you might expect, but a real one, and it compounds on top of everything else already working against a rural family: fewer nearby specialists, longer drives, and pediatricians juggling more than screening alone. Rural families also tend to lean more heavily on schools as their main point of entry into support, simply because a school is often the closest thing to a specialist a family can reach without a multi-hour drive. That's not a knock on schools. It's a reflection of how thin specialist access is once you're outside Nashville's radius. Families in our own service area often tell us they waited a year and a half to three years for an autism evaluation - a range that tracks closely with the research above, even though it comes from what we hear directly from families, not from a published study. It's the pattern we see, over and over, from the families we sit across from. None of this is a reason to feel behind. It's a reason to understand what's actually happening - so the waiting stops feeling like something being done wrong, and starts looking like what it is: a system that hasn't caught up to rural Tennessee yet. ## You Don't Have to Wait for the Second Wait to End Here's the part that gets lost in all of this: you don't need a diagnosis in hand to start doing something. The AAP guidance above isn't hypothetical - it's a standing recommendation that developmental support begin as soon as a delay is identified, diagnosis or not. That might mean a referral to Tennessee's early intervention program. It might mean asking your child's pediatrician what can start now, in parallel with the evaluation process, instead of after it. It might simply mean understanding that "wait and see" isn't the only option in front of you tonight. Neither of those things ends the wait. But neither one requires you to sit inside it and do nothing until it's over. Picture that same parent again, eight weeks later. She still doesn't have a diagnosis. The referral paperwork is sitting in a stack at an office two counties over, and no one has called yet. But she isn't just waiting anymore. She made one phone call to ask what she could do "in the meantime." And it turned out in the meantime wasn't nothing. Someone asked her son's age. Someone wrote down what she'd been noticing since he was fourteen months old. She hung up still not knowing when the evaluation would happen. But for the first time since that well-child visit, she'd done something instead of just watching the calendar. That's the whole point of this section. Not a shortcut around the wait - just proof that the wait and doing nothing were never actually the same thing. She just hadn't been told that until she asked. ## Two Places to Start If you're ready to look at what "starting now" can mean for your family, both of these are worth an answer. ### What does Tennessee's early intervention program actually cover? Tennessee's Early Intervention System (TEIS) exists specifically for children under three who show signs of a developmental delay - autism-related or otherwise - and a diagnosis isn't required to make a referral. [See how TEIS works and how to make a referral.](/blog/teis) ### Do you actually need a diagnosis before any of this can start? It's the question underneath almost everything else, and it doesn't have a yes-or-no answer. [Here's what it looks like for rural Tennessee families.](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) Either one is a smaller, more answerable question than "when will this all be over." That's usually the better place to start. ## Where to Go From Here There isn't a version of this where the wait disappears entirely. Insurance authorizations still take weeks. Evaluations still get scheduled out. That part is real, and it isn't fair, and no article changes it. But the invisible wait, the one where you're alone with a feeling and no next step, is optional. It doesn't have to be the whole story of these months. If you want the fuller picture, first phone call to first therapy session, our [For Families guide](/for-families) walks through it step by step. Developmental Journeys Building Skills & Inspiring Futures Want to talk this through? We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) ## More guides for Tennessee families [Early Intervention August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) ## [Stuck on Tennessee's Autism Diagnosis Waitlist? Here's What You Can Do Right Now](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Waiting on Tennessee's autism diagnosis waitlist? Here's exactly what you can start doing this week, diagnosis or not.](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Read this](/blog/do-you-need-a-diagnosis-to-start) [Funding August 30, 2026 5 min read](/blog/teis) ## [TEIS in Tennessee: Free Early Intervention for Autism - No Diagnosis Required](/blog/teis) [TEIS is free early intervention for Tennessee children under 3, and you can start before you have an autism diagnosis. Here's how eligibility and referral work.](/blog/teis) [Read this](/blog/teis) ## You don't need to have everything figured out. Our first conversation is just that - a conversation. We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Get Started ](/get-started)[Call or text +1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) --- # Careers > Open positions at Developmental Journeys. Join our team of pediatric therapists and support staff. We're hiring Join a team supporting kids and families across rural Tennessee. Don't see a fit? [Submit a general application ](/careers/apply). [Applied Behavior Analysis Middle Tennessee](/careers/registered-behavior-technician) ## [Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)](/careers/registered-behavior-technician) [Help children and families every day as an RBT. Full-time and part-time roles in Wilson, Smith, and Rutherford Counties. $20 to $28/hour.](/careers/registered-behavior-technician) [Full-timePart-timeIn-homeSchool-based$20 to $28/hr](/careers/registered-behavior-technician) [View position](/careers/registered-behavior-technician) --- # General Application > Don't see an open position that fits? Submit a general application to Developmental Journeys. CareersOpen application Don't see an open position that fits? Tell us where you'd like to contribute and we'll reach out when something opens up. #### What happens next We read every application A person, not a portal We keep you in mind When a matching role opens One form is enough No need to reapply each time [See open roles](/careers) Website First Name \* Last Name \* Email \* Phone \* What are you interested in? \[ ] Applied Behavior Analysis \[ ] Occupational Therapy \[ ] Speech-Language Pathology \[ ] Physical Therapy \[ ] Assessment & Diagnostics \[ ] Family Support \[ ] Administration Are you 18 or older? \* Select one... ▾ Eligible to work in the United States? \* Select one... ▾ Highest Level of Education Obtained \* Select one... ▾ Resume PDF or DOCX, up to 3 MB. Optional. Relevant Certifications List any licenses or certifications relevant to this role. Optional. Brief Cover Letter / Interest Statement Anything else you'd like us to know? \[ ] I attest that the above information is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. By checking this box, you attest that the above information is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Furthermore, you understand that the falsification of information will result in your ineligibility for any future employment with Developmental Journeys ABA and may result in termination upon discovery for hired applicants. \[ ] I consent to Developmental Journeys contacting me about this application. **Equal Opportunity Employer: **Developmental Journeys ABA considers applications for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or any other protected class. Developmental Journeys ABA is a DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. Submit Application --- # Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) > Full-time and part-time RBT roles in Wilson, Smith, and Rutherford Counties. $20 to $28/hour with flexible schedules, paid training, and PTO. Applied Behavior AnalysisWe're hiring Help children and families every day as an RBT. Full-time and part-time roles in Wilson, Smith, and Rutherford Counties. $20 to $28/hour. #### The role at a glance Location Middle Tennessee Pay $20 to $28/hr Schedule Full-time, Part-time Setting In-home, School-based Posted September 7, 2026 [Apply Today](/careers/registered-behavior-technician/apply) ## Key Responsibilities Registered Behavior Technicians at Developmental Journeys provide in-home, school, and community ABA across Middle Tennessee. We’re looking for people who want to help children and families every day. - Deliver one-to-one ABA in homes across Wilson, Smith, and Rutherford Counties - Support learners in school settings - Provide community-based sessions as assigned - Follow treatment plans under BCBA supervision, with paid training available - Partner with families using a family-centered, individualized approach ## Qualifications Current hiring need is in Wilson, Smith, and Rutherford Counties, with Trousdale and Macon Counties coming soon. - Active RBT credential, or willingness to complete paid training and supervision - Reliable transportation for in-home and community sessions - Availability for flexible full-time or part-time hours - Comfort working with children and families in home, school, and community settings ## Credentials & Certifications Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification Required Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation Required ## Benefits & Perks - Flexible scheduling - Paid training and supervision - PTO - Mileage reimbursement ## Walk this journey with us If this sounds like your kind of work, we'd like to hear from you. [Apply Today](/careers/registered-behavior-technician/apply) --- # Apply for Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) > Submit your application for Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Developmental Journeys. Applied Behavior AnalysisApplication Middle Tennessee. A few details and we'll take it from there. #### The role at a glance Location Middle Tennessee Pay $20 to $28/hr Schedule Full-time, Part-time Setting In-home, School-based [Back to the posting](/careers/registered-behavior-technician) Website First Name \* Last Name \* Email \* Phone \* Are you 18 or older? \* Select one... ▾ Eligible to work in the United States? \* Select one... ▾ Highest Level of Education Obtained \* Select one... ▾ Resume PDF or DOCX, up to 3 MB. Optional. Relevant Certifications List any licenses or certifications relevant to this role. Optional. Brief Cover Letter / Interest Statement Anything else you'd like us to know? \[ ] I attest that the above information is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. By checking this box, you attest that the above information is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Furthermore, you understand that the falsification of information will result in your ineligibility for any future employment with Developmental Journeys ABA and may result in termination upon discovery for hired applicants. \[ ] I consent to Developmental Journeys contacting me about this application. **Equal Opportunity Employer: **Developmental Journeys ABA considers applications for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or any other protected class. Developmental Journeys ABA is a DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. Submit Application --- # UI components > Internal matrix of theme × mode for buttons, headings, eyebrows, cards, decorations, and section textures. ## Eyebrow Pill label; optional link. Rows = mode, columns = theme. 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Initial call Day 1 Insurance verified Days 3–7 First visit Scheduled - brand1 · dark #### Typical timeline This is a sample body content for the list card. Initial call Day 1 Insurance verified Days 3–7 First visit Scheduled - brand1 · color #### Typical timeline This is a sample body content for the list card. Initial call Day 1 Insurance verified Days 3–7 First visit Scheduled ### StatCard - brand1 · light Ages 2–6 Primary focus on early intervention for maximum developmental impact. - brand1 · dark Ages 2–6 Primary focus on early intervention for maximum developmental impact. - brand1 · color Ages 2–6 Primary focus on early intervention for maximum developmental impact. ### ContentCard - brand1 · light Service 📋 ### Care coordination We help you navigate insurance and scheduling. - brand1 · dark Service 📋 ### Care coordination We help you navigate insurance and scheduling. - brand1 · color Service 📋 ### Care coordination We help you navigate insurance and scheduling. ### FeatureCard Styling is defined for brand1–3 only; quick samples use those themes. - brand1 · light In-home · preview Expert support, right when you need it. Sample description for the component lab. [Get started](#feature-card-heading) - brand1 · dark In-home · preview Expert support, right when you need it. Sample description for the component lab. [Get started](#feature-card-heading) - brand1 · color In-home · preview Expert support, right when you need it. Sample description for the component lab. [Get started](#feature-card-heading) --- # UI components > Internal matrix of theme × mode for buttons, headings, eyebrows, cards, and decorations. ## Eyebrow Pill label; optional link. Rows = mode, columns = theme. 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Two variants below; brand1 + light only to save space - switch theme in code or duplicate the table if needed. ### variant="standard" · brand1 · light ## Section headline Subtitle line ### variant="subheading" · brand2 · dark (on dark surface) ### Subheading style Supporting text ## Cards **ContentCard**: default vs highlight, emoji + badge. **ListCard**: checklist + status dots. **FeatureCard**: neo shadow + decorative ring (brand1–3 styles in component). ### ContentCard · vertical · default Badge ✳ ### Card title Plain text description for a content card in default variant. ### ContentCard · vertical · highlight Highlight ★ ### Highlight card Highlight variant bumps the surface tint. ### ContentCard · horizontal · link [→](#cards) ### [Horizontal + link](#cards) [Hover for neo shift and arrow.](#cards) ### ListCard · mixed statuses #### Timeline Done step Day 1 Pending step Soon No dot ### FeatureCard · brand2 · dark Headline accepts HTML for inline spans (e.g. accent color). Eyebrow · line Expert care right at your door. Short body copy under the headline. [CTA](#cards) ## Decorations `HorizontalPathLine` uses `stroke-current` - color follows the parent text color. on white · text-brand1-600 on dark · text-brand2-300 on color · text-brand3-100 --- # What Happens Before Day One. > From your first call to your child's first session takes about four to six weeks. Here's what happens in each of them, and what insurance covers. Family Guide Starting ABA therapy can feel overwhelming. Here's every part of the process, from your first phone call to your child's first session. ### What's in this guide - 1\. Our Process A few simple steps to behavior therapy - 2\. Insurance details What's covered, by who, and how we help. - 3\. Your first session What parents ask us most about ABA therapy - 4\. Additional Resources Still want to know more? We've got you covered Step By Step ## Getting Started with Developmental Journeys You don't have to have everything figured out before you call. **That's what we're here for.** Every family starts somewhere - the first step is just a conversation. We've designed our intake process to be as simple and supportive as possible. Here's exactly what happens from your first contact to your child's first session. #### Typical Timeline to First Session Initial consultation call Day 1 Insurance verified Days 3–7 Authorization received 2–4 weeks Assessment completed 1–2 sessions Therapy begins 4–6 weeks total 1 ### Reach Out for a Free Consultation Free & No Commitment Your first step is simply a conversation. Call, text, or email us to introduce yourself and tell us about your child. You don't need a referral, and there's nothing to fill out first. We'll listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out whether ABA therapy and our practice are a good fit for your family. **What we'll cover on the call: **your child's diagnosis and current challenges, your family's goals, our services and what to expect, insurance basics, and next steps if you want to move forward. 2 ### Insurance Verification & Authorization We Handle the Paperwork Once you decide you'd like to move forward, we take care of verifying your insurance benefits and pursuing prior authorization for ABA services. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your carrier - and we'll keep you updated throughout. **What you'll need to provide: **your insurance card (front and back), your child's diagnosis documentation, and basic contact information. We'll handle everything else. - We verify your specific ABA benefits and out-of-pocket costs - We submit all prior authorization paperwork on your behalf - We'll notify you the moment authorization is received - We explain your coverage so you know exactly what your cost will be. 3 ### Initial Assessment: We Come to You In your home Once authorized, our BCBA comes to your home for the assessment. It happens in the rooms where your child is most comfortable, and where therapy will actually happen. The assessment usually takes two or three sessions. We watch your child play, ask you about daily routines and what matters most, use a few standardized tools, and agree on the goals your family wants to work on. 4 ### Your Child's Treatment Plan Is Reviewed Together Family Review Before therapy starts, we sit down with you and go through the treatment plan. We explain each goal without jargon, and you can ask questions, request changes, and tell us if we've missed something that matters to your family. **You're the parent, not a passenger. **If a goal doesn't feel right, or if there's something important to your family that isn't included, we want to know. The best treatment plans are built with families, not for them. 5 ### Sessions Start and the journey begins Therapy Begins Therapy sessions take place in your home, your child's school, or in the community - depending on where your child's goals are best addressed. Each session is documented with data, which your BCBA reviews regularly to ensure the program is working and goals are being adjusted as your child grows. - Regular progress reviews with your family - typically monthly or quarterly - Access to your child's progress data and session notes - Parent training built into every program from the start - Transparent communication about what's working and what needs adjustment - Coordination with school teams and other therapists as needed Coverage Guide ## Understanding Your Insurance Benefits Navigating insurance for ABA therapy can feel like a second job - but it shouldn’t. We work with most major carriers and government programs serving Tennessee families, and we handle the verification and authorization process. Most insurance plans are legally required to cover ABA therapy when it is medically necessary for a child with an autism diagnosis. Coverage varies by plan, but we'll tell you exactly what your plan includes before we begin. PortableText \[components.type] is missing "block" [Check your coverage](/get-started) ### Insurance, Step by Step #### Contact Us Share your insurance information and we start the verification process right away #### We Verify Benefits We contact your insurer to confirm ABA coverage, deductibles, co-pays, and visit limits #### Prior Authorization We submit all required documentation to get services approved by your carrier #### Services Begin Once approved, we schedule your assessment and get started as quickly as possible Medicaid ### BlueCare Tennessee Tennessee Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid managed care Medicaid ### Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) Standard TennCare plans for qualifying children Private Insurance ### Cigna / EverNorth Cigna commercial and EverNorth Behavioral Health plans State Program ### Katie Beckett Waiver Disability-based Medicaid for children who don't qualify through family income State Program ### TEIS Tennessee Early Intervention System for children under age 3 [Let us help](/get-started) ### [Don't See Your Plan?](/get-started) [Contact us - we can check your specific coverage and discuss options](/get-started) ### Special Programs & Waivers Tennessee offers several specialized programs that can help families access ABA therapy services. [1](/blog/teis) ### [Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)](/blog/teis) [TEIS provides services for children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. If your child is under three, TEIS may be an important pathway to early support. We can help you understand how TEIS and ABA services work together, and coordinate care as your child approaches the transition to preschool-age services.](/blog/teis) [2](/get-started) ### [Additional Care](/get-started) [PortableText \[components.type\] is missing "block"](/get-started) Before You Call ## What to Have Ready You don't need much to get started. Here's what's helpful to have on hand for your first conversation 1 ### For Your First Call - Your child's age and current diagnosis (if any) - A brief description of the main challenges you're experiencing - Insurance carrier name and member ID (if available) - Any questions you have - there are no wrong ones - Your preferred contact method and availability 2 ### For Insurance Verification - Insurance card (front and back) - Primary insured's name, date of birth, and member ID - Group number (found on your insurance card) - Autism diagnosis documentation from your child's physician - Prior authorization number (if you already have one) 3 ### For the In-Home Assessment - Previous evaluations or therapy records (if available) - School IEP or 504 plan documentation - A list of your child's current medications - Notes on your child's daily routines, interests, and challenges - Any behavioral concerns you'd most like addressed - Other providers involved in your child's care Setting Expectations ## What Does ABA Therapy Actually Look Like? ABA looks very different from the clinical image many people have in mind. Here's what families typically experience with Developmental Journeys ABA. ### It's Play-Based Your child's interests drive the activities. Toys, games, and routines they already enjoy become the vehicle for learning new skills. ### It Happens in Your Home No driving to a clinic. Our therapist comes to you, works in the rooms and routines where your child actually lives. ### Your Family Is Involved Parents and caregivers are encouraged to observe, participate, learning strategies alongside your child to reinforce throughout the week. ### Progress Is Tracked Every session generates data on your child's goals, so you always know your childs progress. ### Plans Evolve Your child's program isn't set in stone. As they master goals, we add new ones, so the work stays at the right level of challenge as they grow. ### Progress Takes Time ABA is a long-term process. Some changes show up in weeks, others after months. We’ll make sure you know where your child is at in their journey. Parent Resources ## Tools & Information for Your Family New to ABA, or already in the middle of it? These resources cover the questions parents ask us most. ### [Our Family Blog](/blog) [Plain-language articles on ABA, autism, rural access to services, and tips for everyday family life. Written with Tennessee families in mind.](/blog) ### [Diagnostic Assessment Services](/services#assessment) [Learn about our ADOS assessment service, which can help families get a diagnosis faster without the 2–3 year rural wait time.](/services#assessment) ### [Ask Us a Question](/contact) [Have a question that isn't answered here? Call, text or email us. We reply within 24 hours.](/contact) ### [Full Services Overview](/services) [A complete guide to every service we offer, who they're designed for, and how they're delivered in your home and community.](/services) ### [Meet Our Founders](/about) [Get to know Lori and Carmen, the two autism moms who built this practice, and what drives our approach to care.](/about) ### [Request a Consultation](/contact) [Ready to take the first step? Book a free consultation call. It's just a conversation about your child.](/contact) Know the Terms ## A Quick Glossary The ABA world comes with a lot of acronyms. Here are the most common ones you'll encounter - decoded. ### ABA **Applied Behavior Analysis** The evidence-based therapy approach that forms the foundation of everything we do. ### BCBA **Board Certified Behavior Analyst** The clinical credential held by supervisors who design and oversee ABA programs. Lori holds this certification. ### RBT **Registered Behavior Technician** The therapist who works directly with your child during sessions, supervised by the BCBA. ### FBA **Functional Behavior Assessment** An evaluation to understand the purpose a challenging behavior serves before creating a plan to address it. ### ADOS **Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule** A standardized assessment tool used to observe and evaluate behavior that may indicate autism. Our clinician is ADOS-certified. ### IEP **Individualized Education Program** A legally binding document developed by a school team that outlines the special education services a child will receive. ### PA / Prior Auth **Prior Authorization** Insurance approval required before ABA services can begin. We handle all prior authorization paperwork on your behalf. ### TEIS **TN Early Intervention System** Tennessee's early intervention program serving children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. How to get started ## The first step is just a conversation. We'll listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out whether we're the right fit for your family. [Request a Consultation](/get-started) FAQ ## Questions Answered We've gathered the questions families ask us most often - organized by topic so you can find what you're looking for quickly. About ABA Therapy Insurance & Coverage The Process Your Family's Role What exactly is ABA therapy? ▼ Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy approach based on the science of learning and behavior. It teaches the skills your child needs day to day and reduces the behaviors that get in the way, by working out what a behavior is _for_ and teaching a better way to get there. It's the most researched intervention for autism, with decades of peer-reviewed evidence behind it. Is ABA therapy right for my child? ▼ ABA therapy is most commonly used for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially during the early childhood years (ages 2–6). It can also be appropriate for some children with ADHD, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other developmental conditions. The best way to find out if it's right for your child is to call us. If ABA isn't the right fit, we'll say so. How many hours per week does my child need? ▼ Recommended intensity varies by child, age, and the goals being targeted. Many programs run between 4-8 hours per week, though this is determined individually during the assessment process. No matter what, your child’s plan will be tailored to your families life. How long will my child be in ABA therapy? ▼ There's no universal answer. Some children meet their goals and finish within a year or two. Others need longer. We review the plan regularly, and we'll tell you when your child's goals are met and what, if anything, should come next. What does a session actually look like in our home? ▼ Sessions for young children are naturalistic and play-based - they feel more like engaged play than formal "therapy." The therapist works one-on-one with your child in the environments and routines of your home, while coaching you on strategies as they work. Sessions are typically 2–4 hours, depending on your child's program and insurance authorization. Does my insurance cover ABA therapy? ▼ Most private insurance plans and Medicaid programs are required by law to cover ABA therapy when it is medically necessary for a child with an autism diagnosis. Coverage specifics vary by plan. Call us and we'll verify your benefits for free. It's one of the first things we do. What if my child doesn't have a formal diagnosis yet? ▼ Insurance typically requires an autism diagnosis before authorizing ABA services. If your child doesn't have one yet, we can help. Our ADOS-certified clinician can run a diagnostic observation to help your child's physician make a diagnosis sooner, instead of waiting the two to three years that is typical in rural Tennessee. What will my out-of-pocket costs be? ▼ This depends entirely on your specific plan: your deductible, co-pay or co-insurance, and any annual out-of-pocket maximum. We will verify all of this before services begin and explain it clearly so there are no surprises. Families on Medicaid (TennCare) typically have little to no out-of-pocket costs for covered services. What is a prior authorization, and do I have to deal with it? ▼ A prior authorization is approval from your insurance company before ABA services can begin. It requires documentation of your child's diagnosis and the clinical justification for therapy. We handle the entire prior authorization process on your behalf. You don't need to deal with it directly. We'll keep you updated and let you know when approval is received. Do I need a referral to contact you? ▼ You don't need a referral. Call, text, or email us directly. We'll guide you through the rest, including any documentation your insurance company asks for. How long does it take to get started? ▼ From your first call to your child's first therapy session, the process typically takes 4–6 weeks. Most of that time is insurance verification and prior authorization, which are largely out of our hands, but we move through every step we control as quickly as possible. We'll keep you informed throughout. What happens during the assessment? ▼ The assessment happens in your home over two or three sessions. Our BCBA watches your child play, talks with you and anyone else who cares for them, uses a few standardized tools, and works with you on the goals that matter most. That becomes the foundation of your child's individualized treatment plan. What if we need to pause or stop services? ▼ Life happens. If you need to pause, reduce hours, or stop services for any reason, just let us know as early as possible and we'll work with you. We'll also make sure you have what you need to support your child's progress during any gap in services. How involved do I need to be in therapy? ▼ Family involvement is not just encouraged. It's built into our model. Parent training is a formal component of every program we offer. You'll learn the techniques your child's therapist uses so you can reinforce them throughout the week. The more consistently skills are practiced outside of sessions, the faster your child will progress. What about siblings and other family members? ▼ We take a whole-family approach. Siblings and other household members can be included in relevant parts of training as appropriate. We're also mindful of the impact of autism on the entire family system and happy to discuss how we can support everyone, not just the child receiving services. How will I know if therapy is working? ▼ Progress in ABA is tracked with data at every session. Your BCBA will share this data with you regularly through progress reviews, typically monthly or quarterly. You'll always know which goals are being targeted, what the data shows, and what adjustments we're making to the program based on your child's response. Can I coordinate with my child's other providers? ▼ Yes. We work with speech therapists, occupational therapists, school teams and pediatricians all the time. With your consent, we'll share what's relevant and line up goals so everyone supporting your child is pulling in the same direction. --- # Get Started | Developmental Journeys ABA | Developmental Journeys > Contact Developmental Journeys ABA for compassionate, evidence-based therapy in rural Middle Tennessee. Request a consultation, ask questions, or check your insurance coverage. Get in Touch ## Let's Start a Conversation. You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out. Our first conversation is just that - a conversation. We'll listen, tell you what we'd do next, and let you think about it. [Call or Text](tel:+16152819514) [+1 615-281-9514](tel:+16152819514) [Email](mailto:info@developmentaljourneys.com) Office Address 1300 Grant Rd, Watertown, TN 37184 Website 🌱 ## We'll be in touch soon! Thank you for reaching out. We've received your consultation request and will respond within 24 hours - usually sooner. If you'd rather talk before then, call or text us at +1 615-281-9514. 📞 Response within 24 hours 🔒 Your info is confidential 💙 A conversation, nothing more - 1 About You - 2 Your Child - 3 Services & Insurance - 4 Anything Else ## Tell us about _yourself_ First, who are we speaking with? What to expect - We respond to every inquiry within 24 hours. - Initial consultations are free. - We handle insurance verification - you don't have to. - You can call us directly - no doctor's referral needed. - Everything you tell us stays confidential. First Name \* Your first name Last Name \* Your last name Phone Number \* (615) 000-0000 Call or text - whichever you prefer Email Address \* Your Relationship to the Child \* \[x] Parent \[ ] Guardian \[ ] Caregiver \[ ] Provider / Referral \[ ] Other Next: Your Child ## Tell us about _your child_ This helps us come prepared with the right information and understand your family's situation before we speak. Child's First Name \* First name (or nickname is fine) Child's Age \* Select one... ▾ Current diagnosis (if any) \[ ] Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) \[ ] ADHD \[ ] Down Syndrome \[ ] Prader-Willi Syndrome \[ ] Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) \[ ] No formal diagnosis yet - we're still figuring it out \[ ] Other / Not listed Primary areas of concern \* \[ ] Communication / language development \[ ] Challenging behaviors (aggression, self-injury, meltdowns) \[ ] Social skills / peer interactions \[ ] Daily living / adaptive skills (potty training, self-care) \[ ] School performance / IEP support \[ ] Getting a diagnosis - we're on a waitlist ← Back Next: Insurance ## Services & _Insurance_ We'll verify your coverage for free - this just helps us get started. 💡 Don't worry if you're not sure about your insurance details - sharing what you have is enough. We'll look up the rest and explain your coverage in plain language before anything begins. Insurance Provider \* Select one... ▾ Member ID (if available) Found on your insurance card Optional - we can look this up with your provider name Group Number (if available) Also on your insurance card Optional Services you're most interested in \[ ] In-Home ABA Therapy \[ ] Communication / Language Skills \[ ] Behavior Support \[ ] School Collaboration / IEP Support \[ ] Parent Training \[ ] Diagnostic Assessment (ADOS) \[ ] Not sure yet - want to discuss on the call Where are you located? \* City, County, or Zip Code We serve communities between Lebanon and Cookeville, north of I-40 in Tennessee ← Back Almost Done ## Anything else you'd like us to _know?_ This is optional - but the more you share, the more prepared we'll be for our conversation. Tell us more about your situation How did you hear about us? Select one... ▾ Best way to reach you \* \[x] Phone Call \[ ] Text Message \[ ] Email \[ ] Any works! Best time to reach you \[ ] Morning (8–11am) \[ ] Midday (11am–2pm) \[ ] Afternoon (2–5pm) \[ ] Evening (5–7pm) \[x] Anytime is fine \[ ] I understand that submitting this form does not create a clinical relationship or guarantee services. All information shared will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with HIPAA. ← Back ✉️ Send My Request 💬 ## Question received! We'll get back to you with a real answer - not a canned response - within 24 hours. Thanks for reaching out. Quick Question ## Ask Us _Anything_ Have a question before you're ready to talk? Send it here - we'll answer within 24 hours, in words that make sense. What to expect - We respond to every inquiry within 24 hours. - Initial consultations are free. - We handle insurance verification - you don't have to. - You can call us directly - no doctor's referral needed. - Everything you tell us stays confidential. Your Name \* First name is fine Contact (phone or email) \* How should we reply? What's your question? \* Topic (optional) \[ ] About ABA \[ ] Insurance \[ ] Getting Started \[ ] Diagnosis \[ ] Service Area \[ ] Other Send My Question 🏥 ## Insurance check submitted! We'll look into your coverage and get back to you within 24 hours with a clear breakdown of your ABA benefits and what, if anything, you'd pay out of pocket. Insurance Check ## Let Us Check Your _Coverage_ Not sure if your plan covers ABA therapy? Share your insurance information and we'll check for you - free, fast, and in plain language. What to expect - We respond to every inquiry within 24 hours. - Initial consultations are free. - We handle insurance verification - you don't have to. - You can call us directly - no doctor's referral needed. - Everything you tell us stays confidential. 🔒 Your information is kept strictly confidential and used only to verify your ABA therapy benefits. This does not enroll you in services. Your Name \* Your name Phone or Email \* Best way to reach you ### Insurance Information Insurance Carrier \* Select one... ▾ Member ID On your insurance card Policy Holder's Name As it appears on the card Child's Date of Birth \* Existing ASD Diagnosis? Select one... ▾ Check My Coverage [📞](tel:+16152819514) #### [Call or Text Directly](tel:+16152819514) [Prefer to talk right now? Call or text us at **+1 615-281-9514**. We pick up or reply fast.](tel:+16152819514) [📋](/families) #### [Not Ready Yet?](/families) [Browse our For Families guide to learn more about the process, insurance, and what to expect before you reach out.](/families) [📝](/blog) #### [Read Our Blog](/blog) [Plain-language articles for Tennessee families working out autism, ABA and how to get care out here.](/blog) ### Service Area We serve families in rural Middle Tennessee communities between Lebanon and Cookeville, north of Interstate 40. If you're not sure whether that includes your town, call us - if we can't reach you, we'll say so. Lebanon, TN Watertown, TN Carthage, TN Cookeville, TN Smith County Wilson County Putnam County Macon County Jackson County Trousdale County 1300 Grant Rd, Watertown, TN 37184 ### Availability & Response We respond quickly - and we mean it. Here's when you can expect to hear from us. Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Limited Sunday Closed After-hours messages Replied next business day For urgent situations outside office hours, please leave a voicemail or send a text and we'll respond as soon as possible. --- # Developmental Journeys > In-home ABA therapy for families across rural Tennessee. Assessments, parent coaching and school collaboration, from Watertown to Cookeville. ## Privacy Policy ### Introduction This Privacy Policy describes how Developmental Journeys ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use our services. Effective Date: 2026-01-01. If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at info\@developmentaljourneys.com. ### Children's Privacy Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately. ### Information We Collect We collect the following categories of information: - **Contact and inquiry information** - Name - Email address - Phone number - Messages you send us (forms, email, or chat) - **Scheduling, intake, and service-related information** - Information you choose to share about care needs, goals, or eligibility - Insurance or payer details when you ask us to verify benefits - Appointment preferences and availability - **Website, analytics, and advertising data** - Pages viewed, approximate location derived from IP address, device and browser type - Referring URL, session timestamps, and on-site interactions - Advertising and conversion data from pixels and tags (for example Meta and Google) - **Communications** - Records of calls, texts, or emails with our team when you contact us ### Data Retention We retain your data for the following periods: - **Marketing site inquiries**: Typically up to 24 months after our last interaction unless a longer period is required for treatment, billing, compliance, or legal claims - **Analytics and advertising logs**: As configured in the relevant vendor accounts (often 2–26 months depending on the service) - **Records subject to healthcare or insurance rules**: As required by applicable law, payer contracts, and our retention policies ### Cookies and Tracking We use the following types of cookies and tracking technologies: - Essential cookies — required for the service to function - Analytics cookies — help us understand how the service is used - Marketing cookies — used to deliver relevant advertisements ### Third-Party Services We share data with the following third-party services: - **Google (Analytics, Tag Manager, and related advertising products)** — Website analytics, tag deployment, measurement, and advertising performance - **Meta (Facebook Pixel and related technologies)** — Advertising, conversion measurement, and audience insights when you interact with our ads or site - **Netlify** — Hosting, security, and delivery of this website - **Sanity** — Content management for website content (not clinical records) ### Your Rights You have the following rights regarding your personal data: - Right to access your personal data - Right to correct inaccurate data - Right to request deletion of your data - Right to receive your data in a portable format - Right to restrict how we process your data - Right to object to processing ### Contact Us Contact us: - **Legal Name:** Developmental Journeys ABA - **Address:** Watertown, TN 37184, United States - **Email:** info\@developmentaljourneys.com ## Cookie Policy ### Cookie Policy This Cookie Policy explains how Developmental Journeys ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our services. Effective Date: 2026-01-01. ### What Are Cookies? Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to site owners. Cookies can be "session cookies" (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent cookies" (remain on your device until they expire or you delete them). ### Types of Cookies We Use - **Essential Cookies** — Required for the basic functioning of our services. These cannot be disabled. - **Analytics Cookies** — Help us understand how visitors interact with our services so we can improve them. - **Functional Cookies** — Enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences. - **Marketing Cookies** — Used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. ### Other Tracking Technologies In addition to cookies, we may use the following tracking technologies: - Cookies and similar browser storage - Pixels (image tags) that communicate with advertising and analytics servers - JavaScript tags loaded through Google Tag Manager or similar tools ### Third-Party Cookies The following third parties may set cookies through our services: - **Google** — Analytics, Tag Manager, and advertising tags ([Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)) - **Meta** — Facebook Pixel and advertising cookies ([Privacy Policy](https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/)) ### Your Consent - We display a cookie consent banner when you first visit our services. - You can manage your cookie preferences at any time via our preference panel. - You may withdraw your consent at any time; however, this will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. ### Managing Cookies Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can: - Delete cookies already stored on your device - Block cookies from being set on your device - Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is being set Please note that restricting cookies may impact the functionality of our services. Consult your browser's help documentation for instructions on managing cookies. ### Contact Us If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact us: - **Legal Name: **Developmental Journeys ABA - **Address: **Watertown, TN 37184, United States - **Email: **info\@developmentaljourneys.com ## Terms of Service ### Terms of Service These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of services provided by Developmental Journeys ("we", "us", or "our"). By using our services, you agree to these Terms. Effective Date: 2026-01-01. ### Acceptance of Terms You accept these Terms by: - Accessing or browsing this website - Submitting a form, requesting information, or contacting us - Scheduling or engaging with intake or service coordination we offer through the site ### Eligibility You must be at least 18 years old to use our services. By using the services, you represent that you meet this age requirement. ### Prohibited Uses You may not use our services for the following purposes: - Using the site for any unlawful purpose or in violation of applicable healthcare privacy laws when you interact with us as a patient, guardian, or authorized representative - Submitting false, misleading, or fraudulent insurance, clinical, or identity information - Attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems, accounts, or data - Scraping, harvesting, or automated collection of content without our written permission - Harassing, threatening, or impersonating our personnel or other users ### User Content - You retain ownership of content you submit to our services. - You grant us a non-exclusive license to use information you submit solely to respond to you, coordinate care or intake, operate our services, and comply with law. - We reserve the right to remove content that violates these Terms or that we find objectionable. ### Intellectual Property - All content, features, and functionality of our services are owned by Developmental Journeys and are protected by intellectual property laws. - You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of our services without our express written permission. ### Payments - Fees for clinical services, if any, are governed by separate agreements, insurance authorizations, and applicable law-not by these website Terms alone. ### Service Availability - We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to our services. - We may perform maintenance that temporarily affects the site; we will try to minimize disruption. ### Termination - We may terminate or suspend your access to our services at any time, with or without cause or notice. - You may terminate your use of our services at any time. - Provisions that by their nature should survive (such as disclaimers, limitations of liability, and governing law) will remain in effect. ### Disclaimers - Our services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. - We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the reliability, accuracy, or fitness for a particular purpose of our services. ### Limitation of Liability - To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages. - To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for claims arising from your use of this website is limited to the greater of one hundred U.S. dollars (US $100) or the amount you paid us solely for website-related fees in the twelve (12) months before the claim (if any). Clinical services are subject to separate agreements and law. ### Indemnification You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Developmental Journeys ABA and its personnel from claims arising out of your misuse of the website, violation of these Terms, or submission of unlawful or infringing content. ### Third-Party Services Our services may integrate with or link to third-party services: - **Google** — Analytics, tags, and advertising integrations linked from our site - **Meta** — Advertising and measurement tools linked from our site - **Netlify and Sanity** — Hosting and content delivery for the marketing site ### Dispute Resolution - Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our services shall be resolved through litigation. - Venue: State or federal courts located in Tennessee, USA. ### Governing Law These Terms are governed by the laws of Tennessee, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles. ### Changes to These Terms We may update these Terms from time to time. We will provide at least 30 days' notice via a notice on this website and, where appropriate, email to the address you provided before changes take effect. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. ### Contact Us If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us: - **Legal Name:** Developmental Journeys ABA - **Address:** Watertown, TN 37184, United States - **Email:** info\@developmentaljourneys.com --- # ABA Therapy That Meets Your Family Where Life Happens. > Developmental Journeys ABA offers in-home ABA therapy, ADOS assessments, parent training, and school collaboration for families in rural Tennessee. At Home ABA Autism Therapy > We come to you. We bring ABA therapy to your home, your child's school, and wherever else their day happens, so what they learn in a session shows up in the rest of the week. [Get Started](/get-started) Assessments • ABA Therapy • School Collaboration • Parent Training • Assessments • ABA Therapy • School Collaboration • Parent Training • Assessments • ABA Therapy • School Collaboration • Parent Training • Assessments • ABA Therapy • School Collaboration • Parent Training • Our Approach ## Learning Happens Best in Real Environments **We believe skills taught in a child's natural environment _generalize more effectively. _**That's why every service we provide is designed to reach your child in the places where real life unfolds: at the dinner table, in the living room - around your home. Changes here flow out into the school hallways, their favorite park, and follow them through their life. > **With tailored care**\ > Each program is individualized, family-centered, supervised by BACB-certified clinicians every step of the way, and built on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. [Talk to our team ](/get-started)[Family Guide](/for-families) ### Ages 2–6 Early intervention for maximum developmental impact ### Ages 7–17 Specialized care to build behavioral foundations in a changing world ### Certified All programs supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BACB) ### @ Home We build skills & behaviors where they start, their environment. Autism Behavioral Therapy ## ABA Therapy Delivered Right at Your Front Door In-home therapy is the foundation of what we do. We work on the moments that are actually hard (getting through dinner, sharing with a sibling, going to bed) in the place they happen. > Your home is where the learning sticks, because it's where your child has to use it. - **Nobody has to drive anywhere.** Sessions fit around the day you already have. - **Real-world skill building.** Goals practiced where they matter most - **Family involvement built in.** Parents and caregivers are active participants - **Flexible scheduling.** We work around your family's needs - **Consistent therapist relationships.** Familiar faces your child trusts [Our Therapy Process](/services/aba-therapy) ADOS-2 Assessment Services ## Shorter path to answers your family needs Rural Tennessee families wait one to three years for an autism diagnosis. We make that process faster through ADOS-2 evaluations, so your child's physician has what they need to move forward without the wait. > Waiting three years for answers isn't a medical necessity. It's a geography problem. We're here to fix it. - **ADOS-2 administration.** Gold-standard diagnostic observation by a trained BCBA - **Comprehensive written report.** Delivered to your child's physician for diagnosis - **In-home evaluations.** Up to two hours, conducted where your child is most comfortable - **Caregiver interview included.** Your knowledge of your child shapes the assessment - **Clear next steps.** We walk you through what the report means and what comes next [Learn More](/services/assessments) Why Ages 2 to 6\ Matter Most ----------- Research consistently shows that ABA therapy between ages 2 and 6 produces the strongest, longest-lasting results. That's the window for the skills a child needs to start school (asking for what they want, playing alongside other children, managing more of their own day) while the brain is still forming connections fastest. Ages 2-6 Primary early intervention focus [Get started](/get-started) School Support & IEP Development ## Teaming up for your child's development Therapy doesn't stop at the classroom door. We partner with your child's school in two ways: coaching you through IEP meetings so you walk in prepared, and working with schools to help them tailor their approach to your child’s developmental needs. - **IEP meeting support** Advocacy and guidance through the IEP process - **Educator consultation** Training school staff on effective strategies - **Behavior goal alignment** Coordinating ABA goals with school-based objectives > **Worth knowing:** insurance pays for behavior goals, not academic ones. So we work on the things that get in the way of learning (staying in the classroom, following a routine, handling transitions) and leave the teaching to your child's teachers. [Learn More](/services/school-collaboration) Parent Coaching & Support ## Skills that stay with you after the therapy session The strategies that work during a therapy session should work at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday, after a long day of work. Every program we build includes structured caregiver coaching - so you're not watching from the sidelines. You're building the skills alongside your child. > We're parents of children on the spectrum. We built our program the way we always wished someone had built it for us. - **In-the-moment guidance.** Real situations require real strategies you can rely on. - **Understand the "why" behind behavior.** Antecedents, behaviors, consequences in plain language - **Consistency across environments.** Home, community, and caregivers aligned - **Long-term independence.** The goal is your confidence, not your dependence on us [Learn More](/services/parent-training) Who We Support ## Conditions We Support **Our primary focus is Autism Spectrum Disorder**, though we also work with families whose children have other diagnoses alongside it. Whether we're the right fit is something we work out with you, case by case; call and ask. > **A note on insurance.** Most private plans and TennCare will only cover ABA if autism is the primary diagnosis. Other diagnoses can often be worked on within the same program. We'll go through your plan with you on the first call. ⭐ Principle Condition ### Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) What we do most. ABA therapy for children across the autism spectrum, from the first assessment through as long as it's useful, always in your home, school or community rather than a clinic. 🧠 ### ADHD Attention and impulse difficulties, worked on with the same ABA strategies. Whether insurance will authorize it depends on your child's diagnosis; ask us and we'll check. 🤝 ### Oppositional Defiant Disorder Behavior-focused support centered on functional communication and emotional regulation strategies. FAQs ## Answers for Families Just Starting Out Navigating ABA therapy for the first time comes with a lot of questions. Here are the ones we hear most often, but if you still have questions - please reach out! [Ask our team](/get-started) How long before we see results? Every child progresses differently. Some families notice changes within weeks. For others it takes longer. Either way, parent training is part of the program from the start, so you have the strategies in hand between sessions. We set realistic, individualized expectations during the assessment process and track progress with data at every session so you can always see where your child stands. What does a typical ABA session look like? _Sessions typically run 1-4 hours depending on the child's program & needs._ Sessions are play-based, naturalistic, and built around your child's interests and daily routines. A therapist works one-on-one with your child at home or in the community, while also coaching you on strategies to reinforce throughout the day. What if my child doesn't have a diagnosis yet? You can still reach out. Our ADOS-certified clinician can run a diagnostic observation to help your child's physician make a diagnosis sooner, instead of waiting the two to three years that is typical here. **Call us to discuss where you are in the process.** How many hours per week will my child need? Recommended hours vary by child based on age, diagnosis, and treatment goals. Insurance authorization also plays a role. We determine the appropriate intensity during the initial assessment and always explain the rationale for our recommendations to families. Will our family be involved in sessions? Yes. Parent training is built into every program we run. Parent training is a formal component of all our programs. You'll learn the strategies your child's therapist uses so you can reinforce skills throughout the week, making therapy more effective and progress faster. What if we're on the edge of your service area? Reach out and we'll be honest with you about what's feasible. Our service area focuses on rural Tennessee communities between Lebanon and Cookeville, north of I-40 - but we're always willing to have a conversation about your specific situation. _The whole reason we started was to deliver care to rural environments._ --- # In-home ABA that feels like play > Individualized, in-home ABA therapy for children with autism in rural Tennessee. Serving Lebanon to Cookeville. BCBA-led. Insurance accepted. The heart of what we do Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one-on-one therapy that helps your child build communication, daily-living, and social skills - at their own pace, in your own home. We come to you across Lebanon, Cookeville, and rural Tennessee, so you're not driving hours to a clinic that doesn't exist out here. [Schedule a Consultation ](/get-started)[See how it works](#how-it-works) We come to you Skills learned where they're used Evidence-based care ## What in-home ABA looks like If you've been told the wait for services is years, or that the closest provider is an hour away - Developmental Journeys ABA exists to knock down those barriers. We bring ABA therapy to your home across Lebanon, Cookeville, and the surrounding rural communities, so distance and waitlists don't decide your child's timeline. In practice, we turn play into progress: asking for a snack, taking turns, getting dressed, handling big feelings. A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) writes and oversees the plan. A trained therapist (RBT) carries it out. We track what's working for your child, adjust as they grow. Who it's for ## Children of every age and ability ### Newly diagnosed Early, gentle support that meets your young child right where they are. ### Growing skills School-age kids building communication, friendships, and independence. ### No clinic nearby We come to the home across rural Middle Tennessee - no drive to a clinic that isn't there. How it works A steady path,\ walked together --------------- 1 #### Assessment An in-home visit where we get to know your child and agree the first two or three goals. 2 #### A personal plan Your BCBA designs a play-based plan around your child and your family's life. 3 #### In-home sessions Your therapist works one-on-one with your child where they're most comfortable. 4 #### Review & grow We track progress and adjust the plan as your child changes - and we show you the data, not just the summary. We come to you ## Are we in your neighborhood? All of our therapy happens in your home and community, so the first question is whether we reach your town. Type it in and find out. Enter your town - e.g. Cookeville **11 **counties **50 **towns & cities **100% **in your home Serving **Middle Tennessee** Counties we serve Cannon Davidson DeKalb Macon Putnam Rutherford Smith Sumner Trousdale Wilson What's included Care that wraps\ around your family ------------------ - One-on-one sessions in your home and community - A plan designed and supervised by a BCBA - Individualized, play-based goals that matter to you - Parent coaching built right into the work - Regular, plain-language progress reviews - Coordination with school and other providers ## Good questions, honest answers How many hours of therapy will my child need? It depends entirely on your child and your goals. After the assessment, your BCBA will recommend a number of hours and explain why - and we'll always shape it around your family's life, not the other way around. Is it really play-based? Yes. We follow your child's interests and turn everyday moments and favorite activities into learning. It should feel like time well spent, not like work. Where do sessions happen? In your home and the places your child already goes - the kitchen, the backyard, the park. Skills learned in real settings are the skills that stick. Who actually works with my child? A registered behavior technician (RBT) provides the day-to-day sessions, supervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who designs and oversees the plan. You'll know your team. Is ABA covered by insurance? For most families, yes. We accept TennCare and major plans and handle the benefit checks and paperwork so you can focus on your child. Ready to talk? Let's take the first step together. We'll tell you what happens next, and what it would cost. That's the whole first call. [Schedule a consultation](/get-started) Keep exploring ## Explore our other services Therapy begins with an assessment, grows stronger with parent coaching, and reaches further when we partner with your child's school. #### [Assessments](/services/assessments) [Getting to know your child](/services/assessments) [Learn more](/services/assessments) #### [School Collaboration](/services/school-collaboration) [Home and school, in step](/services/school-collaboration) [Learn more](/services/school-collaboration) #### [Parent Training](/services/parent-training) [Confidence for everyday moments](/services/parent-training) [Learn more](/services/parent-training) --- # Getting to know your child > Skip the 3-year wait. ADOS-2 evaluations in Lebanon, Cookeville & rural TN. Written diagnostic report provided to your child's physician. Where every journey begins Before any therapy starts, we time with your child - getting to know what they're good at and what's hard for them. An assessment is how we work out where to start. [Schedule a Consultation ](/get-started)[See how it works](#how-it-works) Charting the course A warm, play-based way to begin General & ADOS-2 assessments ## Getting started with ABA Our assessments come in two forms - but both are careful, friendly looks at how your child communicates, plays, learns, and moves through the day. Depending on what your family needs, it can cover where their skills are now, why the hardest behaviors are happening, and what your everyday routines look like from your side. We do it where your child is most at ease - at home, on the floor, with familiar toys. When we're done, we send you a written report in plain words - your child's goals, and the paperwork your insurance needs to authorize therapy. Our ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) assesments are for when you're seeking a diagnosis. It's a play-based observation we do at home. You get a written report to share with your child's physician. Who it's for ## Families at their first steps ### Seeking a diagnosis You've noticed something and want clear, caring answers about your child's development. ### Ready to begin ABA You have a diagnosis and need an assessment to build a therapy plan and start services. ### Updating goals Your child has grown, and it's time to refresh the plan to match where they are now. How it works From your first call\ to your report -------------- 1 #### Reach out A quick, friendly call. We answer your questions and explain what to expect - no commitment. 2 #### We visit We come to your home and spend time getting to know your child where they're comfortable. 3 #### We listen & observe Through play and a conversation with you, we map strengths, challenges, and goals. 4 #### You get a plan A clear, plain-language report with individualized goals and next steps you understand. We come to you ## Are we in your neighborhood? All of our therapy happens in your home and community, so the first question is whether we reach your town. Type it in and find out. Enter your town - e.g. Cookeville **11 **counties **50 **towns & cities **100% **in your home Serving **Middle Tennessee** Counties we serve Cannon Davidson DeKalb Macon Putnam Rutherford Smith Sumner Trousdale Wilson What's included Everything you need\ to move forward --------------- - Developmental & skills assessment (VB-MAPP / ABLLS as appropriate) - Functional behavior assessment (FBA) as needed - An parent interview about your routines and goals - A comprehensive written behavioral assessment - Individualized, family-centered goal guidance - ADOS-2 observation report - when diagnostic support is the goal ## Good questions, honest answers Do I need a referral to get started? You don't need a referral to call us. We'll talk through your situation, and if your insurance does require a physician's referral, we'll help you get it - and we'll fill in the paperwork with you. How long does an assessment take? It varies by child, but most assessments involve one or two in-home visits of about an hour or two each, plus time for us to write up your report. We never rush a child to finish on a clock. Will it be stressful for my child? We design assessments to feel like play, not a test. Sessions happen at home with familiar toys, and we follow your child's lead. Most kids enjoy it. We already have a diagnosis - do we still need this? Yes, and that's common. A diagnosis tells us your child is autistic. An assessment tells us which skills to work on first, and in what order. If you're still seeking a diagnosis, that's a different visit: the ADOS-2, a play-based observation with a written report for your child's physician. Does insurance cover the assessment? In most cases, yes. We accept TennCare and major plans and will verify your benefits before we begin, so you know what to expect with no surprises. Ready to talk? Let's take the first step together. We'll tell you what happens next, and what it would cost. That's the whole first call. [Schedule a consultation](/get-started) Keep exploring ## Explore our other services An assessment naturally leads into a personalized ABA plan - and often into parent coaching and school support too. #### [ABA Therapy](/services/aba-therapy) [In-home, play-based ABA](/services/aba-therapy) [Learn more](/services/aba-therapy) #### [School Collaboration](/services/school-collaboration) [Home and school, in step](/services/school-collaboration) [Learn more](/services/school-collaboration) #### [Parent Training](/services/parent-training) [Confidence for everyday moments](/services/parent-training) [Learn more](/services/parent-training) --- # Confidence for the everyday moments > Caregiver coaching built into every ABA program. Learn the strategies your child's therapist uses - so progress continues between sessions. Rural TN. You are the constant Therapists visit a few hours a week. You're there every morning, every mealtime, every meltdown, every bedtime. Parent training gives you the tools and confidence to turn those everyday moments into opportunities - without burning out. [Schedule a Consultation ](/get-started)[See how it works](#how-it-works) You're the expert We give you the tools Coaching for caregivers ## Tools for the hours we're not there Parent training is where the insights from your child's therapy plan come home with you. A BCBA walks alongside you - in your house, with your child, during your actual routines - and helps you understand why your child does what they do and what you can do about it in the moment. This isn't a lecture. We're working with you on what's actually hard, so that you leave each session with new tools and strategies to make each day a little easier. Coaching is part of every ABA program we run. Both founders are parents of children with autism, so decision comes from lived experience of exactly what it's like to be in your shoes. Who it's for ## Parents who are ready to feel equipped ### New to ABA Families just starting therapy who want to understand what their child's team is doing and why. ### Feeling stuck Parents whose child is making progress in therapy but the same challenges keep happening at home. ### Managing transitions Families facing a change - a new sibling, a school move, a big shift in routine - who need a plan for it. How it works Practical learning,\ in your own home ---------------- 1 #### Understand your goals We start by learning what's hardest for your family and what you most want to feel confident handling. 2 #### Learn the why Your BCBA explains the behavior principles behind your child's patterns - in plain, useful language. 3 #### Practice together We try strategies live, in your actual routines, with your child in the room, so you know it works. 4 #### Build from there Each session builds on the last. You grow more confident, and we gradually step back as you take the lead. We come to you ## Are we in your neighborhood? All of our therapy happens in your home and community, so the first question is whether we reach your town. Type it in and find out. Enter your town - e.g. Cookeville **11 **counties **50 **towns & cities **100% **in your home Serving **Middle Tennessee** Counties we serve Cannon Davidson DeKalb Macon Putnam Rutherford Smith Sumner Trousdale Wilson What's included Tools that travel\ with your family ---------------- - In-home, hands-on coaching with your BCBA - Plain-language explanation of your child's behavior patterns - Strategies tailored to your actual routines and household - Live practice - not just advice - Guidance for managing difficult moments calmly and consistently - Regular check-ins to adjust as your family grows ## Good questions, honest answers What does a parent training session look like? Sometimes in your living room, sometimes at the kitchen table. We talk through what's been happening, try a strategy or two with your child there, and keep the ones that fit your week. Do both parents need to participate? It's most helpful when the adults who are most involved can join, but there's no requirement. We work with whoever is there, and we'll make sure the strategies are easy to share with others in your household. I'm not a behavior expert. Will I understand it? That's the whole point. If we ever say something that doesn't make sense, tell us and we'll say it differently. How often do we meet? At least once a month, often more when you're just getting started. We adjust based on your goals and how things are going, and spread sessions out as you feel more confident. Is parent training covered by insurance? It is often covered as part of ABA services. We'll verify your benefits before we begin so you know what to expect. Ready to talk? Let's take the first step together. We'll tell you what happens next, and what it would cost. That's the whole first call. [Schedule a consultation](/get-started) Keep exploring ## Explore our other services Parent training pairs naturally with ABA therapy - and often with school collaboration when you need a consistent approach in every setting. #### [Assessments](/services/assessments) [Getting to know your child](/services/assessments) [Learn more](/services/assessments) #### [ABA Therapy](/services/aba-therapy) [In-home, play-based ABA](/services/aba-therapy) [Learn more](/services/aba-therapy) #### [School Collaboration](/services/school-collaboration) [Home and school, in step](/services/school-collaboration) [Learn more](/services/school-collaboration) --- # Care that follows your child to school > IEP meeting prep, behavioral data sharing & school-based ABA services for Tennessee families. FERPA/HIPAA compliant. BCBA-led school collaboration. Extending support Your child spends half their waking hours at school - that's where they practice the skills they're building at home. We bridge the gap between home and classroom, so behavior building doesn't stop at the front door. [Schedule a Consultation ](/get-started)[See how it works](#how-it-works) Bridging both worlds Skills that cross every threshold What school collaboration is ## Consistent support, in every setting Children with autism often learn a skill at home and struggle to use it at school - or vice versa. That gap doesn't fix itself. But bridging that gap helps build the skills they'll use for the rest of their life. School collaboration is how set your child up for success when they leave the house. We can review Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals with you, attend meetings when helpful, coach school staff on behavior strategies that work, and make sure your child's therapy plan and school plan are pulling in the same direction. We only share information with your school with your consent, and everything we do is FERPA/HIPAA compliant. This is a partnership alongside your child's educational team, so you can stop worries about starting over every september. Who it's for ## Families looking to extend the developmental journey ### IEP Development Parents who want a knowledgeable partner in the room for IEP meetings and advocacy. ### New school year Kids starting fresh - a new grade, a new school, a new team - who need consistent strategies to carry with them. ### Struggling transitions Kids who do fine at home but shut down or act out once they're at school. How it works Building a team\ around your child ----------------- 1 #### Get to know the picture We review your child's current school plan, IEP, and therapy goals to understand the full landscape. 2 #### Connect with school staff Your BCBA reaches out to teachers and aides to align on strategies and share what works at home. 3 #### Observe and coach We come to the school, watch how the day actually goes, and show staff what we're doing at home so they can do the same. 4 #### Keep it connected Regular check-ins keep home and school in sync as your child grows and goals change. We come to you ## Are we in your neighborhood? All of our therapy happens in your home and community, so the first question is whether we reach your town. Type it in and find out. Enter your town - e.g. Cookeville **11 **counties **50 **towns & cities **100% **in your home Serving **Middle Tennessee** Counties we serve Cannon Davidson DeKalb Macon Putnam Rutherford Smith Sumner Trousdale Wilson What's included Support that spans\ both worlds ----------- - BCBA-led collaboration with teachers, aides, and school teams - IEP review and preparation support - Classroom observation and tailored coaching - Shared behavior strategies for home and school - Regular progress updates across settings ## Good questions, honest answers Do you attend IEP meetings? Yes, when it's helpful. A BCBA can sit in on the meeting, go through the document with you beforehand, and help you ask for what your child needs - so the school plan and the therapy plan don't pull in different directions. Will teachers be open to this? We always start with your consent for what gets shared. Most teachers are glad to have a partner who understands your child's behavior. If a school declines a classroom observation, we can still support you through IEP-meeting coaching and strategies you carry between home and school. We don't have school-based ABA. Can you fill that gap? Partly, and it's worth being clear about how. We can't provide ABA hours inside the school day unless your insurance and the school both authorize it. What we can do is work on the same skills at home and coach your child's teacher on the strategies we're using. What if my child's school is hard to work with? It happens, and we've been in those meetings. We come alongside you rather than against the school. Usually that means bringing data instead of opinions, and putting the request in language the IEP team can act on. Is school collaboration covered by insurance? School-based collaboration is typically wrapped into an ABA services authorization. We'll help you understand your coverage before we begin. Ready to talk? Let's take the first step together. We'll tell you what happens next, and what it would cost. That's the whole first call. [Schedule a consultation](/get-started) Keep exploring ## Explore our other services School support builds on a solid therapy foundation - and parent coaching keeps everything consistent at home. #### [Assessments](/services/assessments) [Getting to know your child](/services/assessments) [Learn more](/services/assessments) #### [ABA Therapy](/services/aba-therapy) [In-home, play-based ABA](/services/aba-therapy) [Learn more](/services/aba-therapy) #### [Parent Training](/services/parent-training) [Confidence for everyday moments](/services/parent-training) [Learn more](/services/parent-training) --- # Styleguide for Developmental Journeys > Design tokens: colors and typography from global.css (Tailwind v4 @theme). ## Fonts ## Display `font-display` OpenDyslexic The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789 ## Body `font-display` Atkinson Hyperlegible Next The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789 ### Base font size Uses a dynamic fluid size that scales between 16px and 18px based on the screen size & user defined preferences. ## Colors Click a swatch or value to copy the hex (when available) or raw token string. ### brand1 - brand1 \#3c9b86 bg-brand1 - brand1-50 \#f9fdfc bg-brand1-50 - brand1-100 \#d4f5eb bg-brand1-100 - brand1-200 \#98e3cf bg-brand1-200 - brand1-300 \#79cab6 bg-brand1-300 - brand1-400 \#5cb29e bg-brand1-400 - brand1-500 \#3c9b86 bg-brand1-500 - brand1-600 \#3c7769 bg-brand1-600 - brand1-700 \#31574d bg-brand1-700 - brand1-800 \#233933 bg-brand1-800 - brand1-900 \#131e1b bg-brand1-900 - brand1-950 \#0a0f0e bg-brand1-950 ### brand2 - brand2 \#529ac8 bg-brand2 - brand2-50 \#f4fafe bg-brand2-50 - brand2-100 \#d9eefa bg-brand2-100 - brand2-200 \#9bd4f3 bg-brand2-200 - brand2-300 \#63bae9 bg-brand2-300 - brand2-400 \#529ac8 bg-brand2-400 - brand2-500 \#447fac bg-brand2-500 - brand2-600 \#34628c bg-brand2-600 - brand2-700 \#26486f bg-brand2-700 - brand2-800 \#19344e bg-brand2-800 - brand2-900 \#0c1f2e bg-brand2-900 - brand2-950 \#071721 bg-brand2-950 ### brand3 - brand3 \#e3bc3c bg-brand3 - brand3-50 \#fffcf8 bg-brand3-50 - brand3-100 \#feefd8 bg-brand3-100 - brand3-200 \#fcd26b bg-brand3-200 - brand3-300 \#e3bc3c bg-brand3-300 - brand3-400 \#c49f33 bg-brand3-400 - brand3-500 \#a48227 bg-brand3-500 - brand3-600 \#87691f bg-brand3-600 - brand3-700 \#684e15 bg-brand3-700 - brand3-800 \#4a360c bg-brand3-800 - brand3-900 \#302105 bg-brand3-900 - brand3-950 \#221503 bg-brand3-950 ### brand4 - brand4 \#e97451 bg-brand4 - brand4-50 \#fefcf9 bg-brand4-50 - brand4-100 \#faebde bg-brand4-100 - brand4-200 \#f3c6a7 bg-brand4-200 - brand4-300 \#eea17c bg-brand4-300 - brand4-400 \#e97451 bg-brand4-400 - brand4-500 \#b16b41 bg-brand4-500 - brand4-600 \#845a33 bg-brand4-600 - brand4-700 \#624926 bg-brand4-700 - brand4-800 \#423519 bg-brand4-800 - brand4-900 \#26210d bg-brand4-900 - brand4-950 \#191808 bg-brand4-950 Copied