For families in the greater Boston area navigating a new autism diagnosis, the immediate challenge often involves lengthy waitlists for essential therapy services. First Steps Developmental Services, a center-based ABA therapy center located at 18 Commerce Way in Woburn, has announced it is now accepting enrollments with no waiting list in place. This development allows families with children from birth to age six to initiate the intake process immediately, a significant shift in a landscape where waitlists for quality Applied Behavior Analysis therapy can extend for months.
"Every week a child spends waiting is a week of potential growth that doesn't happen," said Jarrod Scalzo, MSEd, BCBA, LABA, Founder and CEO of First Steps Developmental Services. The center was established specifically to eliminate this barrier to early intervention. Scalzo, who brings over 20 years of experience in autism education and is a parent himself, founded the center with a mission rooted in personal conviction and professional expertise.
The center provides both full-day and half-day programs, each structured around a dedicated one-on-one therapist for every child. Programming is tailored and play-based, incorporating core daily activities like circle time, individualized therapy sessions targeting unique goals, and tactile group activities designed to enhance communication and peer interaction. The clinical spaces, named the Discovery Room and the Explorers Room, are designed to be inviting and child-centered.
A fundamental aspect of the program is family involvement, with parent and caregiver coaching integrated into the model to ensure skills developed at the center are reinforced at home. Regarding accessibility, First Steps Developmental Services is currently in-network with several major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts Health Plan, and Aetna. Massachusetts law mandates insurance coverage for ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. The team assists families with verifying benefits and the enrollment process. Families can learn more about the services by visiting https://firststepsds.com.
The availability of immediate enrollment addresses a critical gap in early intervention services, allowing therapeutic support to begin during the crucial developmental window identified by researchers. This model, designed by caregivers for caregivers, aims to equip families with the knowledge and tools needed from the first day of contact.
