Serving Winchester, MA
ABA Therapy for Winchester, MA Families
First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for young children in Winchester, Massachusetts and the surrounding Middlesex County towns. Our Woburn center is about 17 minutes from Winchester, 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 Winchester, MA Families
Families in Winchester seeking ABA therapy for a child with autism or Down syndrome can access services through our Woburn ABA center. First Steps Developmental Services provides individualized 1:1 EIBI programs for children under age six, delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).
Our team works with Winchester families to build practical communication, social, and adaptive skills — focusing on progress your child can carry into daily life at home, at play, and in the community. We do not have a waiting list for new patients.
Alongside center-based programming, home-based ABA is available for children three and under, bringing a therapist directly to your Winchester home. Caregiver and parent coaching is also available to help families extend their child's progress beyond the therapy session.
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After an Evaluation: Next Steps for Winchester Families
If your child was evaluated at the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington — or by another provider — and an autism diagnosis was confirmed, or if your child has Down syndrome, the next step is typically an ABA assessment. First Steps Developmental Services begins with a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, reviewing your child's current strengths, communication abilities, and developmental priorities to build an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals.
Some Winchester families also continue with physical, occupational, or speech therapy alongside ABA. These therapies address different developmental needs and can work in parallel with a behavioral program. When families are already receiving those services, our BCBAs coordinate goals so the programs complement rather than duplicate each other.
Before therapy begins, the BCBA walks families through the treatment plan and explains what each goal means and how progress will be measured. The plan is reviewed regularly and adjusted as your child grows. Learn more about our assessment and treatment planning process.
Schools in Winchester
Winchester Public Schools runs Winchester Preschool for children aged three to five, offering preschool screening for Winchester residents in that age range. Integrated preschool classes are held at Lynch and Vinson-Owen elementary schools. For children who will be entering that setting, ABA therapy can build the skills they need from their first day: following group instructions, managing transitions between activities, and communicating with peers.
Play-based ABA therapy allows children to practice communication and social skills in natural, low-pressure contexts — sharing toys, taking turns, requesting items. These are the same skills that matter most when a child moves from a home or therapy setting into preschool for the first time.
First Steps Developmental Services offers a dedicated Preschool and Daycare Readiness program to support exactly this transition. If your Winchester child has preschool screening results and you would like to know whether focused ABA support would help, contact us 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 Winchester
First Steps Developmental Services is located at 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500, Woburn, MA 01801. From Lincoln Elementary School in Winchester the drive is about eight miles and about 17 minutes depending on traffic via Mystic Valley Parkway and I-93 North.
18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500
Woburn, MA 01801
≈ 17 min from Winchester
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Are center-based and home-based ABA therapy available to Winchester families?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services offers center-based ABA at 18 Commerce Way in Woburn — about 17 minutes from Winchester — in half-day and full-day formats. Home-based ABA is also available for children three and under, with a therapist traveling directly to your Winchester home. A hybrid model combining center and home delivery is available as well. The BCBA recommends the format that best fits your child.
How far is the First Steps Developmental Services center from Winchester, and what is the route?
From Lincoln Elementary School in Winchester, the drive to 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500, Woburn is about eight miles and about 17 minutes via Mystic Valley Parkway and I-93 North.
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 are accepted?
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 start ABA therapy at First Steps Developmental Services?
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 in the evaluation process, our Early Insights developmental assessment may be a relevant first step — or contact the team to discuss your family's situation.
What happens after an autism evaluation, and how do Winchester families begin?
After an autism diagnosis is confirmed — whether at the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington, at another provider, or through a pediatric evaluation — the next step is typically an ABA assessment at First Steps Developmental Services. A BCBA conducts a comprehensive evaluation of your child's current skills and developmental priorities and builds an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. Families are walked through the plan before therapy begins. To start, call (781) 460-9756 or send a message through the contact form on this page.
Does First Steps Developmental Services serve children who have Down syndrome?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services provides ABA therapy for children with Down syndrome, in addition to 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 book the free support call?
First Steps Developmental Services is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The team offers a free 30-minute parent support call for families who want to talk through their child's situation and explore next steps — no pressure to start services. Call (781) 460-9756 or email info@firststepsds.com to arrange a time.
What Families Say
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