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, at home or in our Aberdeen center.
✓ In-network with Avera & Sanford — more plans coming soon
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 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 — with a center right here in Aberdeen and in-home services across northeast South Dakota — and in-network with Avera and Sanford.
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.