Caravel Autism Health - Meridian

ABA Therapy in Meridian

Our Meridian office is located off of Interstate 84 on South Topaz Way.

Our clinics offer one-to-one therapy and peer interaction in a welcoming, child-friendly environment designed especially for children on the autism spectrum. We have ample space for children to engage in activities that promote exercise as well as opportunities to improve communication and social skills.

Caravel Autism Health, a leader in the field, is devoted to helping families navigate the challenges of childhood autism. Our team of clinical experts specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children on the autism spectrum. Caravel’s research-based and data-driven programs are designed to provide better outcomes that help children with autism reshape their development and embrace new ways of interacting with the world.

Call today to Speak with One of Our Expert Team Members:

Caravel Autism Health - Meridian

1905 S Topaz Way
Suite 100
Meridian, ID 83642
US

Clinic Hours

Day of the WeekHours
Monday8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
Day of the WeekHours

Contact:

New Parents Start Here: 208-285-3236
Clients, Billing & General Inquiries: 208-518-0870
Professional Intake Fax: 800-513-7773

Serving Areas:

Meridian, Boise, Maple Grove-Franklin, Boise Bench, West Boise, Eagle, Sonna, Nampa, Kuna, Mora, Star, Pleasant Valley

Caravel Early Child Development Screener

Does your child display possible signs of autism?
To assist families in determining whether a child is exhibiting behaviors that may indicate that he or she is on the autism spectrum, we have developed a simple screening tool.

If your responses in the screener suggest that your child may be on the autism spectrum, know that a Caravel autism specialist will contact you to answer questions and talk through your options.

Our Expert Team in Meridian

Anna M., MS, BCBA | Clinic Director
Anna has devoted her career to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), endlessly inspired by the significant progress ABA fosters in children. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a focus in family social science and leadership. Anna went on to earn her master’s degree in educational psychology at Ball State University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2017. She joined the Caravel team in early 2020 and assisted in developing Caravel’s presence in the Twin Cities in Minnesota before venturing west in July 2021 to help bring high-quality ABA services to Idaho. She believes in creating a naturalistic, play-based environment in which children are able to develop the skills needed to succeed in a school environment. As clinic director, she is passionate about supporting all clients, families, and staff in reaching their highest potential.
Amanda H., MS | BCBA
Amanda started working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2016. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton in 2017 and earned her master of science in ABA from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2021. Amanda has focused on early intervention with younger learners but has worked with adolescent learners as well. She has experience working with various diagnoses such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and ADHD, and has done so in various environments and roles including as a behavior interventionist, parent consultant, clinical program manager, and BCBA. Amanda has a big heart and is deeply motivated to learn and grow as much as possible to be able to best serve the clients and families she works with.
Vanity B., MA | BCBA
Vanity has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2015. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, K–8, from Western Governors University in 2016 and earned her master’s degree in ABA from Ball State University in 2018. Vanity has held many different roles across her career: behavior technician, clinical assistant, first and second grade teacher, and English teacher to elementary schoolchildren in South Korea. In her work with individuals with autism ages 2–19, she has provided therapy in clinics, homes, schools, and other community settings. Vanity’s greatest passion in her work is functional communication training, as she believes, “Everyone deserves to have a voice and be able to express themselves effectively.”
Carolyn P. MEd | BCBA
Carolyn has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2016. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from University of Arkansas in 2016 and earned her master of education from Arizona State University in 2019. Carolyn has served children with disabilities in various capacities—having worked in a private school for students with learning disabilities as teacher aide, served as a registered behavior technician and then earning her BCBA certification in 2019 and working in that role ever since. Her experience encompasses early intervention services (ages 2–5) that focus on functional communication skills, daily living skills, and social skills as well as helping teenagers in job placement settings and adults in recreation and day programs. Carolyn is passionate about working with children to gain skills and independence in their lives and helping families feel empowered by their children's abilities.
Cristi H., MS | BCBA
Cristi has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Arizona Global Campus in 2021 and her master’s degree in ABA from Capella University in 2023. Cristi has also completed additional training in the areas of trauma-informed care, assent-based ABA practices, and skills-based therapy, and has experience with school transition, the IEP process, family guidance, and staff training. As a mom to a 19-year-old with “severe autism,” Cristi is also personally invested in the impact of ABA; she knows first-hand the experience of being a parent to a child who would have benefitted from ABA services. Cristi is deeply invested in building immense knowledge about trauma-informed ABA and using ABA not only with children, but with adults to build more adaptive behavior patterns.
Kathryn K., MS | BCBA
Kathryn has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2022. She graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of California, Davis in 2018 and earned her master of science in ABA from Capella University in 2024. Kathryn has focused on early intervention in a clinical setting with children ages 2–10, functional communication training, school readiness skills, social skills, adaptive skills, and training registered behavior technicians. She also has experience in research, having worked on a study at the MIND Institute at the University of California Davis medical center that investigated the effects of medication versus CBT therapy on children with ASD and anxiety. Kathryn is passionate about functional communication training, early intervention, client assent, compassionate care, and RBT training—believing that all lead to better outcomes for children and their families.

Caravel Service Offerings

Evaluation & Diagnosis

Obtaining the proper diagnosis is the first step to helping children with autism and related developmental disabilities and their families. Our diagnostic evaluation and results become the starting point for the development of a customized treatment plan for your child if they are on the autism spectrum.

ABA Therapy

The goal of ABA therapy is to help a child develop the verbal and social skills necessary so that he or she can move from being motivated primarily by sensory and motor stimuli in the environment to being motivated primarily by verbal and social interaction with other people.

Social Skills Training

Caravel Autism Health also offers social skills training. Designed as fun, interactive experiences, we teach social skills and encourage children to interact with their peers in a class setting or small group.

Caravel Autism Health Better Outcomes. Happier Lives.

Caravel Autism Health, a leader in the field, is devoted to helping families navigate the challenges of early childhood autism. Our team of clinical experts specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of young children on the autism spectrum. Caravel's research-based and data-driven programs are designed to provide better outcomes that help children with autism reshape their development and embrace new ways of interacting with the world.

Frequently Asked Questions & Blog Posts

How do I get started?

Give us a call at 208-285-3236 or complete this form.

What testing do you require initially?

Prior to beginning treatment, a diagnostic evaluation is required. Additional testing is based on individual need and is only used if the testing will help us to design a program or treatment. In general, testing is used to help diagnose disorders and determine levels of intellectual functioning, language ability or adaptive skills. Caravel provides diagnostic evaluations or if you have one from another professional source, that can usually also be used. Testing can also be helpful to chart the effectiveness of therapy.

What are the out-of-pocket expenses that a parent/guardian must pay for to get started?

An evaluation and any diagnostic testing will be billed to insurance (and/or Medicaid where permissible). Testing may be a part of the initial assessment or follow-up assessment. Please check with your insurance company. Typically, your family would be responsible for a potential deductible and/or co-pay. In some states, if you have Medicaid there would be no charge for the assessment beyond what is reimbursed by Medicaid. Any questions regarding financial responsibility may be discussed prior to an appointment with our billing staff. If testing would pose a financial hardship for the family, this should be discussed with billing. We work with parents/guardians to meet the needs of their individual case. Expenses can be spread over time.

Where does therapy treatment take place?

Therapy treatment typically takes place in a local Caravel clinic. Under limited and clinically appropriate circumstances, we recommend that some children receive therapy in a home-based setting.

What does ABA teach?

ABA therapy programs are wide-ranging and covers all areas in which your child needs to be successful. Goals are created and broken down into small steps. The steps are then organized into a logical order and taught one small step at a time. Areas may include communication, behavioral, functional and social skills.

Is there a reason so many hours are recommended?

Research shows that the greater the amount of hours, the better the outcome for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with an autism characteristically do not learn naturally throughout their days like typically developing children do. Learning is a full-time job for children that typically occurs without being noticed. Children with an autism need to be taught to learn. This means many hours of practicing these skills. Parent/guardian training and involvement is also an essential part of a successful ABA program. Tools and techniques of ABA should be incorporated into daily life. The amount of ABA therapy needed will depend on a variety of factors to be determined in the diagnostic evaluation.

What are my responsibilities as a parent?

Parent/guardians are trained to do individual therapy with their child. We recommend that parent/guardians engage their child in a few hours of therapy a week to be familiar with what their child is learning. Parent/guardians are encouraged to join team meetings and training provided by clinic staff or outside professionals.

How is my child's progress evaluated?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is data-driven, so your clinical team will consistently record data and write session notes during each therapy session, documenting your child's responses using our proprietary computerized data system.

How do you coordinate with private therapists that the family employs who are not a part of your organization?

Our clinicians often work closely with other professionals because we realize that different experts can add valuable insight into treatment. If suggestions can be added to a treatment plan without crossing ethical or professional boundaries, we will bring these suggestions into therapy.