Serving Stoneham, MA
ABA Therapy for Stoneham, MA Families
First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for young children in Stoneham, Massachusetts and the surrounding area. Our Woburn center is about seven minutes from Stoneham, 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 Stoneham, MA Families
Families in Stoneham looking for ABA therapy for a child with autism or Down syndrome can access services through our Woburn ABA center, just about 7 minutes away. First Steps Developmental Services provides individualized 1:1 EIBI programs for children under age six, led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).
Our team partners with Stoneham families to develop practical communication, social, and adaptive skills — with a focus on progress that carries into everyday routines at home, at play, and in community settings. We do not have a waiting list for new patients.
In addition to center-based programming, home-based ABA is available for children three and under, with a therapist traveling to your Stoneham home. Caregiver and parent coaching extends learning into the family's daily life between sessions.
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After an Evaluation: Next Steps for Stoneham Families
If your child was evaluated at the Mass General Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA — or by another provider — and an autism diagnosis was confirmed, or if your child has Down syndrome, the next step is usually an ABA assessment at First Steps Developmental Services. Our BCBAs conduct a thorough evaluation of your child's current abilities, communication skills, and developmental priorities, then use that information to build an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals.
Some Stoneham families are also working with physical, occupational, or speech therapy alongside ABA. These services address different developmental areas and can run in parallel with a behavioral program. The First Steps Developmental Services clinical team coordinates goals so each service supports the others rather than overlapping.
Before therapy sessions begin, the BCBA reviews the treatment plan with the family in full — explaining each goal, how progress will be measured, and what to expect. Plans are reviewed and adjusted regularly as your child develops. Learn more about our assessment and treatment planning process.
Schools in Stoneham
Stoneham runs the Stoneham Integrated Preschool for children aged three through five, five days a week across all three elementary schools: Colonial Park (30 Avalon Road), South (11 Summer Street), and Robin Hood (70 Oak Street). For children preparing to enter that setting, ABA therapy can lay the groundwork for a confident start — building the group participation skills, transition management, and peer communication that matter most in a classroom environment.
Play-based ABA therapy teaches these skills in natural, engaging contexts — sharing materials, requesting help, taking turns in structured and unstructured play. Children practice skills in ways that feel familiar long before the preschool day begins.
First Steps Developmental Services also offers a dedicated Preschool and Daycare Readiness program for families making exactly this transition. If your Stoneham child has received a preschool screening result and you would like to explore how focused ABA support could help, reach out to discuss next steps.
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 Stoneham
First Steps Developmental Services is located at 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500, Woburn, MA 01801. From Robin Hood Elementary School at 70 Oak Street in Stoneham, the drive is about 3.2 miles and about 7 minutes via I-95 South.
18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500
Woburn, MA 01801
≈ 7 min from Stoneham
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is center-based and home-based ABA therapy available to Stoneham families?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services offers center-based ABA at 18 Commerce Way in Woburn — about seven minutes from Stoneham — in half-day and full-day formats. Home-based ABA is also available for children three and under, with a therapist coming directly to your Stoneham home. A hybrid model blending center and home sessions is available as well. The supervising BCBA recommends whichever format best suits your child.
How far is the First Steps Developmental Services center from Stoneham?
From Robin Hood Elementary School at 70 Oak Street in Stoneham, the drive to 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500 in Woburn is about 3.2 miles and about 7 minutes via I-95 South.
What ages does First Steps Developmental Services serve?
First Steps Developmental Services specializes in ABA therapy for children under age six — the early developmental window where structured, play-based support has its greatest impact on outcomes.
Which 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 before starting ABA therapy?
ABA therapy at First Steps Developmental Services is available to children who have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down syndrome. If your child is still going through the evaluation process, our Early Insights developmental assessment may be a helpful first step — or reach out to the team to talk through your family's situation.
What happens after an autism evaluation, and how do Stoneham families get started?
After an autism diagnosis is confirmed — whether at the Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, at another provider, or through a pediatric evaluation — the next step is typically an ABA assessment. A BCBA at First Steps Developmental Services conducts a comprehensive evaluation of your child's skills and developmental priorities, then builds an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. The BCBA walks families through the plan before sessions begin. To get started, call (781) 460-9756 or send a message through the contact form on this page.
Can First Steps Developmental Services serve a child who has Down syndrome but not autism?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for 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 arrange 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 for families who want to discuss their child's needs and explore what next steps might look like — no commitment required. Call (781) 460-9756 or email info@firststepsds.com to set up a time.
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