Serving Melrose, MA
ABA Therapy for Melrose, MA Families
First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for young children in Melrose, Massachusetts and the surrounding communities. Our Woburn center is about 14 minutes from Melrose, delivering individualized, play-based programs for children with Autism and Down Syndrome under age six.
WORKING HOURS 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
BCBA-owned and operated
ABA Services for Melrose, MA Families
Melrose families seeking ABA therapy for a child with autism or Down syndrome can access services at our Woburn ABA center, about 14 minutes away via I-93 North. First Steps Developmental Services delivers individualized 1:1 EIBI programs for children under age six, led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) with specialist experience in autism and Down syndrome.
Our clinical team builds each program around the individual priorities and strengths of your child — targeting communication, social engagement, and adaptive living skills that carry into daily life at home and in the community. First Steps Developmental Services does not have a waitlist for new patients.
Home-based ABA is available for children three and under, with a therapist traveling directly to your Melrose home. We also provide caregiver and parent coaching to support families in reinforcing their child's progress between sessions throughout the week.
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After an Evaluation: Next Steps for Melrose Families
If your child was evaluated at the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston — which provides diagnostic evaluation of autism spectrum disorder and primarily sees patients from 26 months to 17 years — or through another provider, and an autism diagnosis was confirmed, an ABA assessment at First Steps Developmental Services is typically the next step. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst conducts a thorough review of your child's current skills, communication, and developmental priorities, then constructs an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals.
Some Melrose families also use physical, occupational, or speech therapy alongside ABA. These services address distinct areas of development and are fully compatible with a behavioral program. Where families are receiving other therapies, the First Steps Developmental Services clinical team works to align goals so progress builds across disciplines.
The BCBA goes through the treatment plan with the family in full before sessions begin — explaining each goal, how progress will be tracked, and what adjustments the team will make as your child develops. Learn more about our assessment and treatment planning process.
Schools in Melrose
Melrose Public Schools runs its preschool at the Franklin Early Childhood Center, 16 Franklin Street, which covers pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. Children who turn three on or before September 1st can join that September. For children preparing to begin at the Franklin Early Childhood Center, ABA therapy can build the communication, social, and self-regulation skills that help them settle in and thrive from their first day.
Play-based ABA therapy develops these skills through engaging, structured activities — requesting help, sharing, taking turns, participating in group routines — practiced in contexts that feel natural to young children and transfer readily to a school setting.
First Steps Developmental Services also offers a dedicated Preschool and Daycare Readiness program for families approaching this transition. If your Melrose child is nearing preschool age and you want to know how targeted ABA support could help, contact the team to talk through your options.
First Steps Developmental Services also provides a School Partnership Program available to public and charter schools in Massachusetts — including Behavior Technician support and BCBA consultation for students with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental challenges, subject to staffing availability and scheduling.
Getting to Our Woburn Center from Melrose
First Steps Developmental Services is located at 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500, Woburn, MA 01801. From Franklin School at 16 Franklin Street in Melrose, the drive is about 7.1 miles and about 14 minutes via I-93 North.
18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500
Woburn, MA 01801
≈ 14 min from Melrose
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Are center-based and home-based ABA therapy available to Melrose families?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services provides center-based ABA at 18 Commerce Way in Woburn — about 14 minutes from Melrose — in half-day and full-day formats. Home-based ABA is available for children three and under, with a therapist coming directly to your Melrose home. Families may also choose a hybrid model that combines both. The BCBA recommends the arrangement that works best for your child.
How far is the First Steps Developmental Services center from Melrose?
From Franklin School at 16 Franklin Street in Melrose, the drive to 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500 in Woburn is about 7.1 miles and about 14 minutes via I-93 North.
What ages does First Steps Developmental Services serve?
First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for children under age six. These early years represent the developmental window in which play-based, individualized support can have the most lasting impact.
What insurance plans does First Steps Developmental Services accept?
First Steps Developmental Services accepts most major insurance plans for ABA therapy, including Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan, Carelon Behavioral Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, Aetna, Fallon Health, and Health New England. We verify coverage and handle insurance authorizations. As of January 1, 2026, Massachusetts requires insurers to cover ABA therapy for children with Down syndrome. Call (781) 460-9756 or email info@firststepsds.com to check your specific plan.
Does my child need a diagnosis to begin ABA therapy at First Steps Developmental Services?
ABA therapy at First Steps Developmental Services requires a confirmed diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome. If your child has not yet been diagnosed and you have developmental concerns, our Early Insights developmental assessment can help you understand what is happening and what steps to take next — contact us to discuss.
What happens after an autism evaluation, and how do Melrose families get started?
After an autism diagnosis is confirmed — whether at the Autism Spectrum Center at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, through another provider, or via a pediatric evaluation — First Steps Developmental Services begins with a BCBA-led assessment of your child's current developmental profile. The BCBA builds an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals and reviews it in full with the family before any sessions begin. To get started, call (781) 460-9756 or send a message through the contact form on this page.
Does First Steps Developmental Services provide ABA therapy for children with Down syndrome?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services serves children with Down syndrome as well as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Massachusetts requires state-regulated health plans to cover ABA therapy for children with Down syndrome as of January 1, 2026. Call us and we will verify your plan.
What are First Steps Developmental Services' hours and how do I set up the free support call?
First Steps Developmental Services is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. A free 30-minute parent support call is available so you can talk through your child's situation with the team before making any decisions. Call (781) 460-9756 or email info@firststepsds.com to set up a time.
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