Support for your child, and tools for your whole family
Individualized behavior intervention led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with hands-on parent training so progress continues at home.
What is ABA therapy, exactly?
ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, uses what we know about how children learn to support meaningful, positive change. In practice, that means helping your child build skills like communication, social connection, and everyday independence, while reducing behaviors that make daily life harder for them or your family.
Every plan is individualized and guided by data, so goals are based on your child's needs and progress is easy to track. Here, sessions are led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who also trains you to use the same strategies at home, so your child keeps learning in the places that matter most.
What brings families to us
Tap anything that sounds familiar. Every child is unique, and these are some of the reasons parents reach out for support.
A new diagnosis
Maybe your child was recently diagnosed with autism or another developmental disability, and you're wondering where to begin.
Communication
You might notice your child gets frustrated trying to share what they want or need, and you'd love to help them feel understood.
Challenging behaviors
Frequent meltdowns, aggression, or behaviors that feel hard to manage can leave the whole family worn out. Understanding the "why" is a great first step.
Everyday routines
Transitions, bedtime, getting dressed, or potty training may feel like daily struggles. Building these life skills can boost your child's independence.
Social & play skills
Playing with others, taking turns, or joining in with peers may take extra support, and those skills can open up new connections.
Wanting tools at home
If you're looking for practical strategies you can use every day, our parent training model is built to give you just that.
This list isn't exhaustive. If something feels off, trust that instinct and reach out.
Is ABA therapy right for your child?
Check anything that sounds familiar. There's no wrong answer. This is just a starting point for the conversation.
Check a few boxes above to see where to go from here.
Still deciding? A few things worth knowing
- ✓Evaluations start with a parent interview and fun, child-led activities
- ✓Once results are reviewed, you'll set goals together
- ✓Every session is led by a BCBA, not a behavior technician
- ✓Reaching out, even just to ask questions, is never a wasted step
What to expect
Your child's first visit is a comprehensive evaluation that combines your insights as a parent with fun, child-led activities. From there, we build an individualized plan and set goals together.
- Evaluation lengthAbout 2 hours
- Parent interviewBackground & your concerns
- Building rapportFun, child-led activities
- AssessmentVB-MAPP, plus FBA if needed
- After the evaluationReview results & set goals together
- In sessionsOne-on-one skill building
- Parent trainingStrategies to use at home
- Staying on trackRegular progress reports
- Session frequencyBased on your child's evaluation
Private pay rates
- New patient evaluation$350 (about 2 hours)
- Consultation & family training$150/hour
Questions about scheduling or costs? Reach out and we'll talk it through together.
Why we train parents
At the core of our approach is including you in your child's care. Instead of relying on behavior technicians, our BCBA works directly with you to teach the same strategies used in sessions. When those strategies are used consistently at home, your child keeps learning in familiar places, skills carry over into everyday life, and progress tends to go further.
What sets Your Village apart
One team, every specialty
Speech, occupational therapy, behavior support, and more work together under one roof, so your family isn't coordinating across separate offices.
Play Village
A dedicated, non-clinical play space where kids build skills and confidence outside of a typical therapy setting.
Insurance-friendly
In-network with major carriers including UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, UMR, BlueCross BlueShield, and Cigna, with private pay also available.
Plans built around your child
Every evaluation and treatment plan is shaped around your child's specific needs and your family's goals.
You're not just a client here
Your Village STL was built on community and real relationships. Families and providers work together, with your child at the center of it all. Whatever your child or family needs, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Get Started
Three simple steps to get started
Reach out
Fill out the form below and share a bit about your child and what's on your mind.
Schedule your evaluation
We'll find a time for your child's evaluation, about 2 hours, and answer any questions about pricing or what to expect.
Begin sessions and parent training
Start one-on-one sessions and hands-on parent training, with frequency based on your child's evaluation and goals.
Meet your behavior analyst
Stephanie Merker
Stephanie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in Missouri, with a master's degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas. Over more than 20 years in the field, she has worked in homes, clinics, and schools, and she's excited to return to her true passion: early intervention with young children of all abilities.
Her approach uses Natural Environment Teaching (NET), which weaves learning into a child's everyday surroundings so new skills are meaningful and carry over into daily life. She believes families are central to the process, and that teaching parents to use ABA strategies leads to more successful outcomes. Stephanie lives in St. Louis with her husband and two kids, and in her free time she loves traveling, reading, and volunteering at her kids' schools.
Frequently asked questions
No. Whether your child was recently diagnosed with autism or another developmental disability, or simply has unique behavioral challenges, we'll create an individualized plan based on their needs.
Our focus is early intervention with young children of all abilities, along with their parents and caregivers.
No. Every session is led by our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Rather than training behavior technicians, she trains parents directly, so the strategies your child learns in sessions carry over into everyday life at home.
Parent training is built into each session. You'll learn the principles behind ABA and practical ways to use them during daily routines, so your child can keep practicing skills in familiar places between sessions.
The VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program) is a tool that looks at your child's language, learning, and social skills. It helps us understand where your child is today and which goals will be most meaningful.
An FBA helps us understand why a challenging behavior is happening. Knowing the reason behind a behavior lets us teach helpful replacement skills. We include an FBA in the evaluation when there are behaviors that need to be addressed.
The new patient evaluation is $350 and takes about 2 hours. Consultation and family training sessions are $150 per hour.
Session frequency is determined after the evaluation, based on your child's needs and the goals you set together.
Ready to get started?
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