Caravel Autism Health - Crystal Lake

ABA Therapy in Crystal Lake

Our Crystal Lake facility is located off of Congress Parkway on Federal Drive.

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 - Crystal Lake

402 Federal Drive
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
US

Clinic Hours

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

Contact:

New Parents Start Here: 779-237-8300
Clients, Billing & General Inquiries: 779-287-0008
Professional Intake Fax: 800-513-7773

Serving Areas:

Crystal Lake, Village of Lakewood, Ridgefield, Prarie Grove, Island Lake, Cary, Fox River Grove, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills

Our Expert Team in Crystal Lake

Jamie E. | Clinic Director
Jamie has been providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy since 2007, working with children as young as 18 months up to teenagers to help them reach their full potential. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at St. Norbert College in 1999 and has completed graduate-level coursework in behavioral sciences through the Florida Institute of Technology. Using ABA principles, Jamie works closely with clients’ families and therapy teams to achieve measurable progress in all areas of development. In addition to designing individualized programming and leading therapy teams, she has extensive experience training and mentoring entry-level to BCBA-level clinicians, creating and presenting trainings to large groups, providing interventions in school-based settings, and training parents on ABA interventions. Jamie particularly enjoys teaching children to interact with the world around them and witnessing the positive impact it has—not only on the children, but their families as well.
Nicole V., MEd | BCBA
Nicole has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in 2014 and her master of education from the University of Cincinnati in 2018. Nicole has loved working with kids throughout her life: she has taught in day cares, at a school in a special education role, and as a kindergarten teacher. In her transition to ABA, Nicole started as a behavior technician, providing ABA in homes, and worked her way up to BCBA, providing services to kids at various ages, but mostly focusing on younger children. She loves watching her clients learn and grow and to see the progress that happens with ABA.
Julia H., MS | BCBA
Julia has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2019. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a dual concentration in mental health and child and family studies, from Roosevelt University in 2020 and earned her master of science in psychology with a concentration in ABA from Purdue University Global in 2023. Julia’s experience has focused on children ages 2–9 with autism and other related conditions. In addition to her work in ABA, she has worked as a teacher’s aide in a daycare center, interned as a childcare volunteer, and volunteered as a private tutor and childcare coordinator. Julia is passionate about helping the children she works with progress and increase independence in their daily living skills.

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 779-237-8300 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.