Your child’s developmental journey with
a neurodivergent diagnosis SHOULD be one
filled with progress and confidence.
You need a program and partner that simplifies the process
by bringing services together all in one supportive place. It’s
“normal” for life after an autism diagnosis to look the therapy on one
day, other appointments on another, and school and family
commitments filling the gaps that are left.
With your child being pulled in so many directions and your battery
running on empty, it’s hard to have consistency, let alone feel like
you’re making any strides forward.
As advocates for your tomorrow and partners in your today, we are
committed to providing the best possible services and support to
children and families that have received an autism, ADHD, or other
neurodivergent diagnosis.
An Integrated
Approach to Help
Your Child Shine.
Unlike the standard one-on-one approach, we intertwine real-world skill
building into our ABA and speech therapies to maximize your child’s
development and independence so they can navigate the world with
confidence. With a holistic approach, our OB Method addresses six
components that create an Optimal Beginning for your child.
THE OB METHOD
The Parent
The Child
The Team
The Therapies
The Setting
The Community
How it works:
Based on 15+ years of experience and proven outcomes, our Integrated Services model
provides the skills needed for individual growth, independence, and readiness for both
school and life.
You can expect:
Individualized Learning Plans
Each child receives a tailored plan that highlights their strengths and targets areas for development.
We start by getting to know your child and your family — Our team of experts conduct thorough assessments to understand your child’s strengths, interests, and areas where they may need support. From there, we design a personalized program that incorporates engaging activities and strategies tailored specifically to your child’s needs.
Group Activities with Purpose
To be able to apply the skills they learn to their world at large, all of our clients have individualized goals that are applied in a group setting.
Group interactions provide real-life practice opportunities and help children generalize these skills across different contexts.
Parent Coaching and Support Services
We recognize that families are key partners in a child’s development.
Empowered Family, our signature parent coaching program, is designed to help families strengthen interactions and carry over skills into daily life. Empowered Family gives you practices, tools, individualized guidance and the village parents deserve to feel confident in creating a more connected and supportive home environment.
A Service Model That Leads to Success
Our integrated approach brings together professionals from multiple fields to support your child’s needs from every angle, including:
- ABA Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Behavioral Support
- Psychologist Support
- Developmental Intervention
Speech teaches the HOW of communication (how they form sounds and words). ABA teaches the WHY of communication (why communication helps them build independence). By combining both approaches, we help your child develop the practical, real-world skills needed to connect with others and navigate their environment with greater independence.
We Meet Your Child at
Every Stage of Growth.
From early intervention to building independence, your child’s needs
will evolve—and we’re here every step of the way. Each development
tier below offers the age-accurate tools and support needed to
empower your child and family toward a brighter future.
“LITTLE HANDS”
(18 months – 4 years old)
Our Early Intervention Program/Preschool Alternative offers daytime schedules during school hours, providing a supportive environment tailored for children to build independence and thrive.
We work with you to help your child build a successful foundation for kindergarten and beyond. Our goal is that by the time they enter kindergarten, they will need less support because they’ve already built the foundational skills that are critical for development.
“BUILDING BLOCKS”
(Early Elementary)
Designed for children ages 5-8 years, this group focuses on fostering independence in a nurturing, small-group setting.
Building Blocks nurtures skills that match their developmental stage, through age-appropriate challenges and collaborative activities, encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and confidence as they learn to achieve early elementary milestones.
“NEON NAVIGATORS”
(4th – 8th grade)
“PRISM PARTNERS”
(13 – 17 years old)
We’ve supported families for over 15 years,
across two states, with a team of dedicated
and experienced professionals.
Support starts with
a team you can trust.
Each member of our clinical team receives ongoing, specialized training to
stay at the forefront of evidence-based practices for children with autism.
But beyond expertise, what truly sets our team apart is the care and
connection we bring to every child we support.
With empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to building trust, we create a
positive environment where children feel safe, supported, and empowered
to grow.
Meet Dr. Dana
After over 30 years in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges, triumphs,
and in-between moments that come with raising a neurodivergent child.
I know the worries that keep you up at night, the weight of wanting to do
everything “right,” and the deep desire to see your child thrive.
That’s exactly why I created Optimal Beginnings—to provide families like yours
with comprehensive, individualized support in one place, so you don’t have to
piece everything together alone.
At Optimal Beginnings, we’re
here to ensure your child’s
experiences in life and beyond
are both joyful and effective.
Ready to Get Started?
Fill out the intake and insurance forms
to start the process.
Schedule Your In-Person Intake and
Assessment Appointment at our MD
or VA office to develop your child’s plan.
Get onboarded with OB for a brighter future!
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Parents!
Discover more ways to help your child learn
and grow through resources and articles
shared to our blog.