Does Imagination ABA Therapy have a waitlist?

No. We provide in-home ABA therapy with no waitlist, so your child can start care quickly.

What insurance do you accept?

We accept most major insurance plans and all NJ Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare).

What areas do you serve?

We serve families throughout New Jersey, from Atlantic City to Newark and everywhere in between.

Do you offer services in Spanish?

Yes. Our team provides ABA therapy and family support in both English and Spanish.

Functional Behavior Assessments: What They Are and Why They Matter

Hans Nakdimen
Jul 29
3 min read

Updated: Aug 5

If you have ever wondered how an ABA therapist decides what to work on with your child, the answer starts with something called a Functional Behavior Assessment. Before any treatment plan is written, before any goals are set, before therapy even begins, a qualified Board Certified Behavior Analyst conducts a thorough evaluation to understand your child as an individual. At Imagination ABA Therapy, we believe this step is not optional. It is the foundation of everything we do.

What Is a Functional Behavior Assessment?

A Functional Behavior Assessment, commonly called an FBA, is a systematic process of gathering information about a child to understand the function or purpose behind their behaviors. Every behavior happens for a reason. A child who throws toys at the table may be trying to escape a task they find overwhelming. A child who screams in the grocery store may be seeking sensory input or trying to communicate that they are overstimulated. An FBA helps us understand the why so we can address it effectively rather than just trying to stop the behavior without understanding it.

What Does an FBA Include?

A comprehensive Functional Behavior Assessment includes several components. Our BCBAs conduct structured interviews with parents and caregivers to understand when challenging behaviors occur, what typically happens before and after, and how the family currently responds. We review any existing evaluations, school records, or medical history that is relevant. We observe your child directly in their natural environments, which might include the home, the community, or school. We look at patterns in the data to identify what is triggering behaviors and what is maintaining them. And then we put it all together into a behavior support plan that is specific to your child.

How an FBA Shapes Your Child's Treatment Plan

Once the FBA is complete, your child's BCBA uses the findings to build an individualized treatment plan. This plan identifies the specific skills your child needs to build, the behaviors that need to be reduced, and the strategies that will be most effective for your particular child. Because every FBA is unique to the child, every treatment plan is also unique. We do not use a one-size-fits-all curriculum. We use what the data tells us about your child.

For example, if the FBA reveals that a child's tantrum behavior is functioning to escape academic demands, the treatment plan will include strategies to make academic tasks more accessible and reinforcing, teach the child an appropriate way to request a break, and build tolerance for completing tasks. That is very different from a child whose tantrums function to gain attention, where the strategies would look entirely different.

Who Conducts the FBA at Imagination ABA Therapy?

At Imagination ABA Therapy, Functional Behavior Assessments are conducted by Board Certified Behavior Analysts who have the clinical training and experience to interpret behavior in context. Our BCBAs are also trained to work with families from diverse backgrounds, and our Spanish-speaking staff ensures that the assessment process is fully accessible to families who communicate primarily in Spanish. No family should miss out on a thorough evaluation because of a language barrier.

Does Insurance Cover the FBA?

Yes. In New Jersey, most insurance plans that cover ABA therapy also cover the Functional Behavior Assessment as part of the initial evaluation. Imagination ABA accepts Medicaid and works with most major commercial insurance plans. Our billing team will verify your benefits before the assessment begins so there are no surprises. We believe cost should never be the reason a child does not receive a thorough evaluation.

Meet Hans, Founder of Imagination ABA Therapy

Hans is a BCBA and former special education teacher who founded Imagination ABA Therapy to serve the families who need quality care the most. He built this organization with the belief that every child deserves a thorough, individualized assessment before any therapy begins. Learn more about Hans and the team at imaginaba.com/meet-our-team

Ready to Get Started?

If your child needs an ABA evaluation in New Jersey, Imagination ABA Therapy is here to help. We accept Medicaid, have Spanish-speaking staff, and offer free consultations to answer your questions before you commit to anything. Visit imaginaba.com or reach out at imaginaba.com/contact.