Early Autism Intervention in Albuquerque

Early Interventions

At Camino, we understand parents’ and caregivers’ challenges when choosing suitable options for their young child’s development and the need for early autism intervention in Albuquerque. That’s why we created a locally-based ABA services program for young children.

What Is Early Intervention ABA?

Early intervention ABA therapies focus on children 18 months to 5 years old. We ensure these younger children remain within their age groups to better facilitate progress. Our primary goal through our early intervention program is to prepare and transition children into the first grade.

What Are the Benefits of Early Intervention ABA?

From our experience, children receiving early intervention ABA therapies develop the necessary skills to transition into grade school smoothly. This means they need less specialized treatments when they’re older, such as needing to transition into social skills groups.

By offering tailored therapies at younger ages when children’s minds are primed for learning, they gain and absorb developmental skills early enough to better function in the world around them.

Speech Therapy

Children learn to talk and communicate at these younger ages, and we focus on these skills to help them prepare for their successful futures.

Camino partners with We Need to Talk More! LLC to address your child’s specific challenges with communication. Their certified autism speech-language pathologists (SLP) assess your child’s needs and develop tailored therapy plans to help your child develop necessary communication skills.

Since every child’s needs and challenges are different, speech therapy plans can help your child develop communication skills in a variety of ways:

By focusing on communication skills through our early intervention ABA programs, we help your child become better equipped to communicate with future friends, teachers, and schoolmates.

Occupational Therapy

Another facet of our early intervention programs includes focusing on occupational therapy. Occupational therapy helps your child in the following developmental areas:

To ensure we deliver the best occupational therapy services, we partner with locally-owned Function Playground Therapies. Their nationally certified and licensed autism occupational therapists (OT) provide therapies emphasizing play skills, learning strategies, and self-care.

Your child learns how to groom and eat by themselves while developing fine motor skills such as writing, coloring, and using scissors. Learning these skills prepares your child for a successful transition into grade school.

Why Should I Choose Camino’s ABA Program?

Many services and clinicians offer ABA therapy programs, but few are in New Mexico. By providing these services locally, we are readily available and more hands-on with your child’s care and development.

We employ more ABA therapists, board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA), and other autism-certified and licensed professionals than other facilities. This ensures your child receives the thorough care, immediate attention, and personalized treatment they need.

We also provide trauma-informed, compassionate care. This means our entire staff focuses on implementing care and treatment that avoids creating unnecessary trauma and stress during your child’s therapies.

Common Questions Parents Ask

What Age Can My Child Start Early Intervention ABA Therapy?

Camino’s early intervention ABA program serves children from 18 months to 5 years old. If you have concerns about your child’s development — even without a formal diagnosis — we encourage you to reach out as early as possible. The earlier therapy begins, the greater the opportunity for your child to build foundational skills before starting school. You do not need to wait until your child is older to take the first step.

Does My Child Need an Autism Diagnosis to Start Early Intervention?

A formal autism diagnosis is not always required to begin the process at Camino. We also accept children who have received an at-risk determination from a licensed pediatrician. If you have noticed developmental differences in your child and are waiting on a diagnosis, reach out to us now. We can talk through your child’s situation and help you understand what your next step looks like.

Why Is Early Intervention So Important for Children With Autism?

Young children’s brains are at their most receptive during the first five years of life, which makes this the most effective window for building communication, social, and learning skills. Children who receive early intervention ABA therapy tend to enter grade school with stronger foundations and often need less intensive support as they get older. Starting early gives your child the best possible chance to grow, adapt, and thrive in school and everyday life.

What Skills Does Early Intervention ABA Therapy Focus On?

Our early intervention program focuses on the skills children need to function well at home, in school, and in social settings. This includes communication skills like verbal speech and nonverbal communication, social skills, daily living skills such as eating and grooming independently, fine motor skills like writing and using scissors, and cognitive and play skills. Speech therapy and occupational therapy are both part of the program, working alongside ABA to support your child’s development as a whole.

Will My Very Young Child Be Okay in a Therapy Setting?

We understand this is a real concern. At Camino, our entire team is trained in trauma-informed, compassionate care, which means every session is designed to avoid unnecessary stress for your child. We work at your child’s pace, use engaging play-based activities, and make sure the environment feels safe and familiar. Children in our early intervention program stay within their own age group, which also helps them feel comfortable and supported from the start.

How Are Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy Included in the Program?

Both speech therapy and occupational therapy are built into Camino’s early intervention program, not offered as extras you need to find elsewhere. We partner with We Need to Talk More! LLC for certified autism speech-language pathology and Function Playground Therapies for licensed occupational therapy. This means your child can access all three therapies through one coordinated program, with professionals working together toward the same goals for your child.

How Can I Get Started With Early Intervention at Camino?

The first step is to fill out our intake form or give us a call at (505) 302-5383. From there, a member of our local team will reach out to learn about your child’s needs and schedule a consultation. We will then conduct an assessment with your child and an in-depth interview with you as the caregiver. Based on that, our BCBAs will build a personalized early intervention plan tailored specifically to your child. We are here to walk you through every part of the process.