You found us.
Real care for children with autism — and the families who love them.
Help your child communicate, learn, and grow — with the support your whole family deserves, right here in Aberdeen.
✓ Covered by Medicaid & most major insurance
Schedule a callback or read more ↓More families are facing this than ever before — and most don't know where to turn first. Whether your child is diagnosed, undiagnosed, or you're just wondering — we'll help you find the right next step.
Signs to watch for — at any age
By 12 months
- Doesn't respond to their name
- Limited eye contact or social smiling
- No babbling, pointing, or waving
- Doesn't follow your gaze or gesture
- Strong reactions to sound, touch, or light
- Unusually quiet — or unusually fussy
18 months to 2 years
- Few or no words; loss of words once used
- Doesn't share interest in things (showing, pointing)
- Limited pretend play
- Repetitive movements — hand flapping, spinning, lining things up
- Strong reactions to sounds, textures, or changes in routine
- Prefers to play alone, even with other kids around
2 to 4 years
- Limited two-word phrases or unusual speech (echoing, scripting)
- Difficulty with pretend play or playing with other kids
- Intense focus on specific objects, topics, or routines
- Big meltdowns triggered by transitions or sensory input
- Walking on toes, hand-flapping, spinning
- Limited eye contact or response to facial expressions
- Difficulty handling "no" or unexpected change
5 to 10 years — school age
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
- Takes things very literally; misses social cues or sarcasm
- Big reactions to changes in routine or plan
- Intense narrow interests that take over much of their attention
- Trouble with group activities, recess, or unstructured time
- Sensory sensitivities — clothing tags, food textures, noise, light
- Meltdowns or shutdowns that feel disproportionate
- Anxiety around school, new places, or social situations
11 and older — preteens, teens, late realizations
- Few or shallow friendships despite wanting connection
- Exhausted by school socially — what's often called "masking"
- Trouble with planning, organizing, follow-through
- Strong, narrow interests that feel different from peers'
- Anxiety, depression, or burnout — often around social or sensory overload
- Difficulty with tone, sarcasm, or unspoken social rules
- Diagnosed late — especially common in girls and high-masking kids
These are common patterns parents and teachers notice — not a diagnosis. Every child is different. If you recognize your child here in any way, the best next step is a conversation. We'll help you figure out what you're seeing.
What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis is the most-researched, most-recommended, and most-insurance-covered therapy for children with autism. It's one-on-one work with your child, designed around their world.
- Communicatefirst words, full sentences, real conversations
- Learnfocus, follow directions, school-readiness
- Connectcalmer mornings, easier transitions, deeper bonds
- Thrivesleep, eat, play, belong in the family rhythm
Not a classroom. Not a clinic full of strangers. Warm, focused, individualized care — and real support for the parents and siblings beside them.
"Every child has something remarkable in them. We help it come out."
Aberdeen has a new home for autism therapy.
No more long drives to Sioux Falls. Opus ABA is local, in-network with most major insurance plans including Avera and Sanford, and built for families across northeast South Dakota.
Your first conversation costs nothing. We'll walk you through what to expect, what insurance covers, and what comes next — at your pace.
Let's talk.
Three quick fields. We'll reach you as fast as we can.