Developmental Assessments & Early Insights for Infants & Toddlers
Every milestone matters — and we're here early.
First Steps Developmental Services offers private developmental assessments and parent guidance for infants and toddlers starting as early as two months old. The Every Milestone Project is our comprehensive developmental program providing expert evaluations and personalized caregiver support to help your child thrive — no physician referral required.
Private developmental assessments for children ages 2 months to 5 years
Early Insights Can Change a Child's Trajectory
The first years of life are the most important window for developmental growth. When families have questions about their child's milestones — speech, social connection, movement, feeding, or behavior — waiting can mean missing the period when support makes the greatest difference. Early Insights gives families a clear, professional understanding of where their child is developmentally — and what to do next. No jargon. No waiting months for answers.
Families often contact us when they notice one or more of these:
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Four Areas of Developmental Support
The Early Insights program at First Steps Developmental Services covers a full range of early developmental evaluation and guidance. Each family receives individualized attention from experienced clinicians.
Developmental Screenings
Milestone monitoring, observation, and structured parent interview to identify early risk indicators. Includes a written summary and recommendations.
Comprehensive Assessments
In-depth developmental evaluation across communication, social, sensory, behavior, and play. Includes a personalized action plan that can inform your diagnostic team later, with referral guidance when needed.
Parent Coaching & Support
Practical strategies for everyday routines, monthly check-ins, milestone tracking, and support for sleep, feeding, and daily activities — delivered collaboratively with caregivers.
High-Risk Infant Follow-Up
Ongoing developmental monitoring for NICU graduates, premature infants, infants with genetic conditions, and children with feeding or sensory challenges requiring close follow-up.
What Sets Early Insights Apart
Parent coaching is built into every Early Insights program — because you know your child best.
Private-Pay Access — No Referral Required
Early Insights is a private-pay program, which means families do not need a physician referral or insurance authorization to access a developmental assessment. Families can reach out directly and schedule a consultation.
Experienced Clinical Team
Assessments are delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) with specialized experience in early childhood development. Our clinical team works closely with families to provide thorough, individualized evaluations.
Caregiver Partnership at Every Step
First Steps Developmental Services believes families are essential partners. Parent coaching and caregiver guidance are built into every Early Insights program — not offered as an optional add-on.
English, Spanish & Portuguese
Our team supports families in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, helping ensure that language is not a barrier to understanding your child's developmental needs.
How the Early Insights Process Works
Getting started with a developmental assessment at First Steps Developmental Services is straightforward. Here is what families can expect from the Early Insights process.
Initial Consultation Call
Reach out to First Steps Developmental Services by phone or through the contact form. A team member will discuss your child's developmental concerns, answer questions about the program, and help determine if Early Insights is a good fit.
Scheduling the Assessment
Once the family is ready to move forward, an assessment appointment is scheduled at our Woburn center. Families receive information about what to expect and how to prepare for the evaluation visit.
Developmental Evaluation
The assessment may include structured observation, standardized developmental tools, and a parent interview. The clinician evaluates communication, social, sensory, behavioral, and adaptive skill areas relevant to your child's age.
Written Summary & Recommendations
Following the evaluation, families receive a written summary of findings and individualized recommendations. This may include strategies to implement at home, referrals to additional services, or a plan for follow-up monitoring.
Parent Coaching & Follow-Up
Ongoing parent coaching is available to help families implement recommendations, track milestones, and address day-to-day challenges in feeding, routines, sleep, and development.
Connection to ABA Therapy if Appropriate
If a child may benefit from ABA therapy, families can be supported through the process of exploring center-based ABA services, home-based ABA, or After School ABA at First Steps Developmental Services in Woburn.
You Know Your Child Best. We're Here to Help.
If something feels off — a milestone that hasn't come, a behavior you can't explain, a gut feeling that your child needs more support — that instinct matters. The first years of life are the most critical window for development, and early answers make the greatest difference. Early Insights gives families a clear, professional picture of where their child is developmentally — and exactly what to do next. No jargon. No referral needed. No waiting months for someone to take your concern seriously.
Early Insights is designed for children who may benefit from early identification:
- Infants and toddlers ages two months to five years
- Children with autism spectrum disorder
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children with other intellectual disabilities
- NICU graduates and premature infants
- Children with feeding, sensory, or sleep challenges
Serving Families in Middlesex County and Beyond
Early Insights developmental assessments are available at the First Steps Developmental Services center located at 18 Commerce Way, Suite 1500, in Woburn, Massachusetts. Families from across Middlesex and Essex counties are welcome.
Middlesex County — Primary Area
- Woburn
- Burlington
- Winchester
- Lexington
- Wilmington
- Arlington
- Greater Boston
- MetroWest
Essex County — Secondary Area
- Andover
- Essex County
Insurance & Payment — Early Insights is a private-pay program. Families pay directly for assessment services. ABA therapy services are covered by most major insurance plans accepted at First Steps Developmental Services.
Questions About Early Insights Developmental Assessments
These questions help families understand what Early Insights includes, who it is for, and how to get started with a developmental assessment at First Steps Developmental Services in Woburn, MA.
What is the Early Insights program?
Early Insights is a private-pay developmental assessment and parent guidance program offered by First Steps Developmental Services in Woburn, MA. It is designed for children ages two months to five years whose families have questions about developmental milestones, including communication, social skills, sensory processing, feeding, and behavior.
Does my child need a doctor's referral for a developmental assessment?
No. Early Insights is a private-pay program, and families do not need a physician referral or insurance authorization to schedule a developmental assessment. Families can contact First Steps Developmental Services directly to get started.
What ages does the Early Insights program serve?
Early Insights serves children from two months through five years of age. Early identification is a core focus of the program, as the earliest years offer the most significant window for developmental support and intervention.
Is the Early Insights program covered by insurance?
Early Insights is a private-pay program and is separate from ABA therapy services. Families pay directly for developmental assessment services. If a child is found to be a candidate for ABA therapy, those services may be covered by major insurance plans accepted at First Steps Developmental Services, including BCBS, Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim, Carelon, and Aetna.
What happens after the developmental assessment?
Following the assessment, families receive a written summary of findings and individualized recommendations. This may include strategies to use at home, referrals to additional community services, or a plan for ongoing monitoring. Parent coaching is also available to help families implement recommendations in everyday routines.
Who conducts the developmental assessments?
Developmental assessments at First Steps Developmental Services are conducted by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) with specialized training and experience in early childhood development. Our clinical team works closely with families throughout the assessment process.
Does First Steps Developmental Services support high-risk infants?
Yes. High-risk infant follow-up is one of the four areas included in Early Insights. This includes ongoing developmental monitoring for NICU graduates, premature infants, infants with genetic conditions, and children with feeding, sensory, or other challenges that may require close observation over time.
Does First Steps Developmental Services offer ABA therapy in addition to assessments?
Yes. First Steps Developmental Services operates an ABA therapy center in Woburn, MA providing center-based ABA therapy for children under age six. Services include full-day and half-day ABA, After School ABA, and Hybrid Home ABA. These services are separate from Early Insights and are covered by most accepted insurance plans.
What Families Say
Early Insights Lead to Stronger Futures
Whether you're seeking peace of mind or answers to questions you've been carrying — you know your child best, and we're here to support every step of their growth. Spots are limited. Schedule your consultation today.
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