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.

Transition Planning for Teens with Autism in New Jersey

Hans Nakdimen
Jul 20
2 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Transition planning refers to the formal process of preparing a teen with autism for life after high school, covering education, employment, independent living, and community involvement. In New Jersey, federal law requires transition planning to begin by age 16 and be included as part of a student's IEP, though starting the underlying skill-building well before then leads to much stronger outcomes.

What a Transition Plan Should Cover

A comprehensive transition plan addresses several areas: postsecondary education or vocational training options, employment goals and the specific skills needed to reach them, independent living skills like managing money and transportation, and connections to adult services, including New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for teens who may need ongoing support after age 21.

What NJ Law Requires for Transition Planning

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), New Jersey school districts are federally required to begin transition planning by the time a student turns 16, and the plan must be updated annually as part of the IEP process. The plan must address postsecondary education or training, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills, with measurable goals tied to each area rather than vague intentions.

New Jersey's Adult Service System

Families should also understand New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), which many young adults with more significant support needs apply to well before turning 21, since DDD eligibility determination and service enrollment can take considerable time. The state also offers Medicaid-funded supports for adults with developmental disabilities, and case managers, including those at Imagination ABA, can help families understand which programs their young adult may qualify for.

How ABA Therapy Supports the Process

ABA therapy can directly support transition goals by building specific, measurable skills tied to a teen's actual post-school plans, whether that's job-readiness skills like following multi-step workplace instructions, or independent living skills like using public transportation or managing a personal schedule. Because ABA relies on data and individualized planning, transition-focused goals can be adjusted as a teen's interests and plans become clearer, rather than following a fixed template that may not fit their actual path forward.