Caravel Autism Health - Cedar Rapids

ABA Therapy in Cedar Rapids

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 - Cedar Rapids

1125 Dina Court
Suite A
Hiawatha, IA 52233
US
Day of the WeekHours
Day of the WeekHours

Contact:

New Parents Start Here: 319-343-5320
Clients & General Inquiries: 319-552-6407
Professional Intake Fax: 800-513-7773

Serving Areas:

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 Cedar Rapids

Emily H., MA, LBA, BCBA | Clinic Director
Emily has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2018. She graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology from Arizona State University in December 2017 and earned her master’s degree in ABA, with a certificate in ABA, from Ball State University in May 2021. Emily has held several different roles in her career—behavior technician, assistant clinical supervisor, clinic supervisor, and BCBA—and has served children and their families in various settings—home, center, and community. She is passionate about problem-solving and digging into research to be able to best serve children with challenging behavior and unique learning patterns—whatever it takes to help her clients live fulfilling, independent lives.
Jena F., MEd, LBA | BCBA
Jena has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2017. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Iowa in 1994, earned her master of education from University of Minnesota in 1998, completed two ABA certificate sequences at Florida Institute of Technology in 2018, and became board certified in 2019. Across her career Jena has served children and their families in various capacities: providing 1-on-1 educational and behavioral programming in an early childhood autism program, serving as a substitute teacher in preschools, providing tutoring in reading to 1st and 2nd grade students who were not at grade level, as well as directly providing ABA services, developing individual ABA programming, and overseeing ABA clinics. Jena has extensive experience in assessment, program development, transition planning, staff training, and parent and community collaboration. She is committed to delivering ethical and impactful care and continuously putting the needs of the children being served and their families above all else.
Carissa P., MS, LBA | BCBA
Carissa has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2015. She earned her bachelor of science in psychology from Iowa State University in 2015 and earned her master of science in ABA from Drake University in 2020. Carissa has experience working in clinic, school and community-based settings with clients ranging from 2 to 13 years old. She has served as a behavior technician, assistant clinic supervisor, and clinic supervisor, primarily working in early intervention settings with a focus on the acquisition of communication, social, cognitive, and adaptive behavior skills. She also has experience teaching replacement behaviors to reduce dangerous or more challenging behaviors. Carissa is excited about providing evidence-based, compassionate care that improves the quality of life for children and their families as well as develops their independence in order to reach their full potential.

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 therapy 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 319-343-5320 or complete this form.

What testing do you require initially?

Prior to beginning therapy, 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 therapy. 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 take place?

Therapy 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 therapy plan without crossing ethical or professional boundaries, we will bring these suggestions into therapy.