Neurodiversity-Affirming
ABA/ Autism Program
Check Out Our Programs
Therapeutic Preschool/Day Program in Fairfield NJ
Ages 18 months - 5 years
Afterschool Program in Fairfield NJ
Ages 5 - 9 years
Center-Based Individual Behavioral Support in Sparta NJ
Ages 18 months - 14 years
Our Neurodiversity-Affirming Autism Programs
Our Board-Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians are compassionate and truly are all about the kids! This program is overseen by two Speech-Language Pathologists. Our program is collaborative with daily speech and occupational therapies and extra-learning experiences like sensory, food play, and yoga!
We believe in a child-centered, strength-based approach!
Our Philosophy:
All brains are beautiful and unique!
Learning occurs through motivating, engaging, naturalistic activities, not discrete trials.
We embrace differences and support sensory preferences.
Every child should feel safe when they are with us.
Inclusive and accommodating environment for all.
Individualized learning plans based on interests and strengths.
We respect bodily autonomy.
Honor all forms of communication.
Open access to all support systems (sensory, communication, safety).
Always set a child up for success.
Implementing environmental modifications to help the child better navigate their world.
NOT traditional ABA
Our Child-Centered Program to Support Neurodiverse Individuals
Communication
Self-Advocacy
Sensory Needs
Learning
Therapeutic Preschool
Ages 18 months - 6 years
Full-day options available year-round
What We Offer
Focus on communication skills
Daily services consisting of Speech & OT and ABA
1:1 with therapists and tech to help support your child throughout the daily learning activities and socialization
Peer groups
Individualized goals
Personalized growth for every child
Sensory supports
Groups run by certified therapists
What Makes Us Different
Take a look below to help guide you with choosing a route that best fits your child's needs.
| Component | Early Intervention | Brave Wings Academy | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Based on your income: can be up to $160 an hour per service | Based on your insurance coverage. Many families pay just a co-pay of $0-$20 per day which includes all services | No cost |
| Services | Limited 1-2 hours per week per service | Daily services consisting of 30 mins of each of Speech & OT and up to 6 hours a day of ABA | Typically 1-2 sessions per week, 20-30 minutes |
| 1:1 Support | 1:1 with therapist | 1:1 with therapists and tech to help support your child throughout the daily learning activities and socialization | Not guaranteed; ratio can go up to 1 teacher per 12 students |
| Access to Peers | In-home service | Access to peers all day | Ranges from self-contained to integrated |
| Individualized Programming | IFSP meeting every 6 months | Continual assessment; weekly planning meetings | IEP meeting once a year |
| Special Activities | None | At least 3-5 per day: sensory play, food play, crafts, yoga | 1-2 per day: music, gym |
| Parent Training | Can request one per month | 1 individual per week; 1 group meeting per week | None/rarely |
| Focus of the Program | Based on developmental norms | Based on science of learning, development, and function-based. We focus on communication, independence, and self-advocacy | Core Content Curriculm Standard determined by the state |
| Ages | Birth-3 years | 18 months-6 years | 3-21 years |
| Funding for AAC (communication devices) | None | Can be billed through your insurance | Must be evaluated by team, approved by board, can take 3-12 months |
| Calendar of Services | All year round; no coverage if therapist is on vacation | Full-day options all year round | Sept-June ESY (half day) not guaranteed |
| Collaboration | Providers are in the home individually | ST/OT/ABA daily collaboration; all providers located at the same center | Services provided separately |
We share about Brave Wings Academy on our Instagram!
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What We Offer
Focus on communication skills
Weekly themed activities
Fun, engaging, and creative!
Peer groups
Build friendships in a positive environment
Individualized goals
Personalized growth for every child
Sensory supports
Groups run by certified therapists
Afterschool Autism Program
Ages 5 - 9 years
Available openings 4-6pm Mon-Thu
What Makes Us Different
We’re not like other afterschool programs. Our child-centered program is designed to support neurodiverse individuals.
Covered by most insurance plans
Groups are run by certified therapists
We offer continual assessments
Based on the science of learning, development, and function-based. We focus on communication, independence, and self-advocacy
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Collaboration is key to your child’s success!
We have created an integrative program which embodies child-centered, strength-based teaching methods and is infused with speech therapy, feeding/oral motor, and occupational therapy.
Our unique developmental intervention approach is overseen by our collaborative team. We use scientific principles of learning in order to effectively teach functional life skills, communication skills, and overall independence.
We provide numerous experiential activities such as yoga, art, music, sensory play, food play, and gross motor interactions in order to foster opportunities for recreation, education, and therapeutic play.
We pair each child with an therapy aide to support them throughout their day.
Each child’s program can be coupled with speech therapy, occupational therapy, and feeding therapy - all of which can be provided here by our Brave Wings Therapists.
We look forward to working with your child and sharing in your child’s academic, social, and developmental successes!
All Kids Need to Be Heard & Validated
Teaching begins with identifying your child’s strengths and areas in need of support. This may include language development, communication, independence, sensory regulation, and self-advocacy.
At Brave Wings Academy, we believe in supporting your child’s learning in a positive way while fostering their individualism and creativity.
We use naturalistic teaching methods which use a child’s interests and strength to teach skills for empowerment instead of implementing traditional ABA methods. We support neurodiversity and embrace each person’s differences.
Meanwhile in the FAQs
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We are in network with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield. We don’t accept United Empire, Cigna, or Medicaid.
We may be out-of-network depending on your plan, but don’t worry — our in-house insurance billing department can verify your benefits and submit claims directly.
If your policy allows out of network services, we will submit claims directly to your insurance company and discuss your financial responsibility with you. If your policy does not cover our services, you will be provided with a self-pay option. An itemized receipt complete with service and diagnostic codes will be provided upon request.
Families are liable for the financial responsibilities as determined by their insurance company. This includes co-pays, co-insurances, and deductible amounts. If you have any questions about working with us, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Following your initial inquiry, our office staff will collect your insurance information, your availability, as well as address your initial concerns.
Our insurance coordinator will reach out to your insurance company to verify your coverage for the services.
Then, our patient care coordinator will reach out to you to review your coverage and schedule your appointment. She will also answer any questions you may have about our practice.
All forms and policies will be emailed to you and must be completed prior to your appointment.
Our therapy sessions are 30 minutes long and are on a recurring schedule.
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The Fairfield, NJ location is open Monday through Friday, 9am - 6pm EST. Our Andover, NJ location is open Monday through Thursday, 9am - 6pm EST.
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For evaluations, only one parent or guardian is permitted in the session at a time.
During treatment sessions, we kindly request that parents wait in the designated waiting area. Our suite features an open floorplan that enables children to engage in therapy across various areas. Your child may transition between different stations based on their individual goals, as we aim to nurture independence and occasionally promote collaborative play with other children.
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Evaluations take about 45 minutes to complete, and can be split into two sessions if need be. Once we’ve evaluated your child, you’ll receive a report within 2-4 weeks.
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When you arrive for your child’s evaluation or therapy session, you’ll check in at our reception desk. You’ll be asked to pay your co-pay via cash, check, or credit card before the appointment begins. The amount due will vary depending on your insurance plan.
Our Process
Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Just like our other services, we wills start with an initial phone call to address your concerns and discuss your interest in our program. Our office staff will collect your insurance information and your availability.
Our insurance coordinator will reach out to your insurance company to verify your coverage for the services.
All forms and policies will be emailed to you and must be completed 48 hours prior to your appointment.
Our therapy sessions are 30 minutes long and are on a recurring schedule.