Every Journey Begins with a First Step
Whether you're a parent worried about your child or you're an adult who has spent years questioning why the world feels different, you've found the right place.
A growing number of adults are learning about autism later in life. If you're exploring autism as an adult—perhaps after a child's diagnosis, or simply after a lifetime of feeling misunderstood—you’re not alone. Answers are available, and they can change everything.
Before beginning any treatment program, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, a formal evaluation from a qualified psychologist, psychiatrist, or developmental pediatrician is an essential first step.
Here's why it matters—for children and adults alike.
How a Diagnosis Helps—At Any Age
1) The Complete Picture
Autism shows up differently in everyone and often looks very different in adults compared to kids. Many adults have learned ways to manage or hide their symptoms over the years, which is why getting a professional evaluation is critical. Having the right diagnosis means you—or your child—can get the support that fits your needs from the start.
2) A Personalized Roadmap
No two individuals on the autism spectrum are identical, regardless of their age. For children, we build individualized treatment plans based on their strengths and challenges. For adults, a diagnosis provides a framework for understanding and paves the way for targeted strategies, supports, and resources tailored specifically to their lives, including counseling, job coaching, and social skills training.
3) Opens Doors to Support
An official diagnosis unlocks access to resources that can make a real difference. For children, this means therapy funding, school accommodations, and community services. For adults, it can mean workplace accommodations, access to mental health support, and a clearer path through systems that were never designed with you in mind.
4) Creates a Starting Point
Whether you're tracking a child's development or finally making sense of your own story, an evaluation establishes a clear baseline. It gives us—and you—a documented foundation to build from and a way to measure meaningful progress over time.
5) Rules Out Other Possibilities
Autism shares characteristics with several other conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders. A comprehensive evaluation is essential to accurately differentiate autism from related disorders, ensuring that you or your child receives the correct care—not just a best guess.
Moving Forward Together
A Fit for Every Family
Compassionate, personalized ABA therapy: at home, at school, or at our center.
Home-Based
We bring ABA therapy directly to your home, customizing our approach around what works best for your child and your family's routine.
Our team works hand-in-hand with your child's teachers and school staff to help them succeed in the classroom where they spend their days.
We provide a fun and welcoming space where your child can grow, make friends, and discover everything they're capable of achieving.
School-Based
Center-Based
What Is ABA Therapy?
ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy is commonly used to treat children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays.
ABA Therapy uses evidence-based techniques to encourage positive behaviors and reduce those that may interfere with learning or daily functioning. This scientific approach focuses on improving specific skills such as social interaction, communication, reading, academics, and adaptive learning abilities, including fine motor dexterity.
Autism Centers of Pittsburgh provides personalized ABA therapy to children ages 2 to 7 years of age. We provide customized ABA therapy in three distinct ways: at our center, at your home, or at your child's school.
Autism Centers of Pittsburgh is part of the Community Psychiatric Center family of practices, which provides professional mental healthcare services across southwestern Pennsylvania for children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues.
Email: hello@acpitt.com
Phone: (724) 733-5757
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