No two children are the same. Each child has a unique story, strengths to be celebrated, challenges to be supported, and goals that matter deeply to their family. At Stride Autism Centers, our foundation is simple: we meet your child where they are.
ABA therapy is often misunderstood as rigid or one-size-fits-all. Our approach is different. Stride’s full-day, center-based programs are designed to nurture the whole child, building skills through joyful experiences, peer interactions, and individualized support that carries over into everyday life.
Personalized Goals, Meaningful Progress
From day one, our team takes time to listen to you. What does success mean for your child and your family? For one family, it may mean initiating more communication. For another, it could be learning toileting routines, gaining comfort in new environments, or preparing for kindergarten.
At Stride, therapy goals are never abstract. They are practical, personal, and relevant to your daily life. We track progress carefully, celebrate every achievement, and adjust plans as your child grows. Parents often tell us that the progress they notice at home, more words spoken, greater independence in daily routines, more confidence in social settings, is what matters most. And we agree.
Stride children consistently make developmental gains at twice the rate of national ABA averages, and 94% of parents report meaningful improvements in their child’s communication. Behind those numbers are countless individual victories that bring joy to families.
The Power of Group Settings
While one-on-one instruction is a cornerstone of ABA, children also benefit immensely from learning alongside peers. Our full-day program creates structured opportunities to practice sharing, taking turns, following group directions, and making friends.
These social moments, at snack time, circle time, or during group play, help lay the foundation for school readiness and lifelong social skills. For many families, seeing their child wave goodbye to a friend or join in a group game for the first time is just as powerful as hearing new words.
Adventures in the Clinic and Community
Children learn best when therapy is engaging and fun. That’s why Stride clinics are filled with creative, immersive adventures that prepare children for real-world experiences in a safe, supportive way.
- Movie Theater Days complete with tickets, a red carpet, and popcorn.
- Airplane “flights” on “Stride Airways,” where children practice boarding, finding a seat, and hearing the captain’s announcement.
- Carnival Days with games, prizes, and the excitement of navigating crowds.
- Community Outings to local parks, libraries, and events, where children practice skills beyond the clinic walls.
These experiences are joyful, memorable, and confidence-building. They give children the chance to practice big milestones with friends and therapists by their side, so that when the real moment comes, boarding a plane, going to the movies, or attending a birthday party, they feel brave, prepared, and excited.
A Joyful, Full-Day Approach
One of the things that sets Stride apart is our commitment to full-day ABA therapy for preschool-aged children. Research shows that children who receive more immersive therapy, 30+ hours per week, tend to make greater gains in communication, self-care, and socialization.
But full-day at Stride doesn’t mean long hours of repetition. It means:
- More time for variety: games, crafts, structured lessons, free play, and community adventures.
- More opportunities for peer interaction and friendship.
- More chances to weave therapy goals into natural routines like meals, transitions, and group activities.
- More integration of speech and occupational therapy through our Stride360 program.
Stride360 is already launched in every one of our Nebraska clinics and is rolling out in Iowa, South Dakota, and Chicagoland. By bringing speech and OT under the same roof as ABA, we make therapy more convenient for families while also ensuring children’s developmental goals are reinforced across disciplines.
Meeting Children (and Families) Where They Are
We know that a full-day program can feel like a big step, especially if your child still naps, isn’t potty trained, or has a unique daily rhythm. At Stride, we embrace all of that. Children nap in our centers when they need to. They practice toileting routines at their own pace. They can arrive however they feel comfortable, even in pajamas.
This flexibility is part of what makes families feel at home at Stride. We are committed to making therapy not only effective, but also welcoming, affirming, and manageable for children and caregivers.
A Holistic, Family-Centered Model
We believe that therapy should extend beyond the clinic walls. That’s why Stride builds in weekly parent coaching and ongoing communication. You’ll learn strategies to reinforce progress at home and in the community, so your child’s gains are not temporary, they become part of your family’s everyday life.
Our holistic model means we see progress not just in data and assessments, but in how children thrive at home and at school. Parents describe the difference when their child can join the family at dinner, participate in story time, or independently get ready for the day. These are the outcomes that matter most.
Why Stride’s Approach is Different
Families choose Stride because we offer more than therapy, we offer a trusted partnership. Here’s what makes us unique:
- Full-day, center-based programs focused on preschool-aged children with autism.
- Outcomes that exceed national benchmarks, validated by parent reports and clinical data.
- Joyful learning through games, crafts, play, and real-world adventures.
- Peer group settings that build friendships and social confidence.
- Stride360 multidisciplinary care, integrating ABA with speech and occupational therapy.
- Family coaching and support, ensuring progress carries over at home.
- A culture of stability and excellence, with staff retention rates well above the industry average and repeated recognition as a Top Workplace.
Final Thoughts
Your child’s story is their own, and their journey is unique. At Stride Autism Centers, our role is to walk alongside you, celebrating strengths, supporting challenges, and helping your child grow in confidence, communication, and independence.
By meeting children where they are and creating joyful, full-day learning environments, we prepare them not just for kindergarten, but for the connections and opportunities that will shape their future.
