Wicker Park ABA Therapy for Children with Autism

Personalized ABA Therapy That Helps Your Child Thrive

Our main goal at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center (CPTWC) is for children to flourish in their environment. We offer one-on-one ABA therapy for individual mastery and group sessions to encourage social skills. Our skilled therapists create a personalized treatment plan, working through multiple therapies that meet your child’s unique needs. It’s our mission to help your child thrive at home, school, and within your community.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

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Helping Families in Wicker Park and Surrounds With ABA Therapy

Our clinic is conveniently located near Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Lakeview, offering our local communities the best opportunity for care for their children. Give us a call to learn about our treatment plans.

Discover CPTWC: Center-Based ABA Therapy That Works

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Why Families Trust CPTWC for Their Child’s Progress

At CPTWC, we believe therapy should feel encouraging, not clinical. Families in and around Wicker Park choose our team for ABA therapy because we bring together:

Proven ABA methods that build real, measurable skills for children with autism
Play-based activities that make learning fun and meaningful
Family-centered support to strengthen progress at home and in daily life
Collaborative care across disciplines so your child’s growth is fully supported

1739 N Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642

Easily accessible from Wicker Park, just off North Avenue.

Parking: Free parking available

Public Transit: Accessible via CTA Blue Line and multiple bus routes

What to Expect When You Begin ABA Therapy

Starting ABA therapy is a big decision, and you have support as you navigate this journey. Our programs are designed to support you every step of the way:

Reach Out to Us

Reach Out to Us

Call or fill out our short form, and our friendly intake team will answer your questions to better understand your child’s needs.

Meet for a Consultation

Meet for a Consultation

We’ll explore your child’s strengths, challenges, and what progress could look like together.

Navigate Insurance with Confidence

Navigate Insurance with Confidence

Our team helps you understand your child’s coverage and handles the paperwork to complete authorizations.

Get a Personalized Assessment for ABA and other therapies

Get a Personalized Assessment for ABA and other therapies

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) spends time observing and connecting with your child to create an individualized therapy plan.

Begin Meaningful Sessions

Begin Meaningful Sessions

Your child is matched with a therapist who makes learning fun and rewarding while targeting the skills that matter most.

Watch the Growth

Watch the Growth

We regularly review progress, share updates, and celebrate every milestone together—big or small.

What Sets Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center Apart

Expert Team

Expert Team

Our compassionate BCBAs and RBTs bring years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum. They know how to connect, motivate, and make every session fun, engaging, and productive.

Real, Measurable Progress

Real, Measurable Progress

Families consistently report meaningful growth in communication, learning, and everyday life skills. We monitor progress in every session to keep your child moving forward with confidence.

Stress-Free Insurance Help

Stress-Free Insurance Help

We partner with most major insurance providers and take care of authorizations and paperwork, so you can focus on your child, not the process.

ABA Therapy Programs Tailored to Your Child's Needs

The earlier support begins, the more opportunities your child has to grow and connect. Our team helps little ones build:

Early communication — sounds, words, and gestures

Social and play skills through joyful interaction

The ability to listen and follow simple routines

Positive behaviors that replace frustration or tantrums

Set your child up for a smooth transition to school with support in:

Building positive classroom habits

Engaging and sharing with peers

Understanding and following daily routines

Strengthening early learning and foundational skills

Encourage confidence and independence as your child develops:

Study and organization habits that make homework easier

Social skills for forming lasting friendships

Tools for managing emotions and staying focused

Meet Our Team

Real Stories from Families Like Yours

aitaralunga
11:22 10 Dec 22
Natalie Berra is a godsend! My son needed physical therapy from a very early age and we saw Natalie for several months. She was always very professional, welcoming and clearly knows her stuff & takes pride in doing a good job. We are very happy with my son’s progress, and the sessions did not feel like a chore every week because Natalie is so easy to talk to. The whole practice seems well run and it makes such a difference when front desk people are actually pleasant too (Ms Cory was wonderful).
Kathleen Pesa
21:51 09 Sep 22
We have been working with Natalie K. now for about 7 months. She is the absolute best PT I could have asked for!!! I was so worried when my son wasn’t crawling yet at 10 months old and she had him moving in no time! Same thing with his walking. He also absolutely adores her. She is so good with babies and toddlers! I look forward to going to our weekly session because I know how productive it will be every time and I walk out of our sessions in such a good mood. I can’t recommend a center or therapist more!!
Jessica Cortright
03:19 09 Sep 22
My son has been seeing Natalie Kahn for about a year, we just absolutely love her. She is patient, kind, smart and dedicated to her skill and these kids. I can not recommend her enough to whomever will listen! My son adores her and has made amazing progress with his issues…so much so that we have recently gotten the clear to no longer need PT. Although we will miss seeing her every week, it’s because of her hard work and care that my son is thriving, and that I am so grateful for. It takes a village and I am so glad we have/had the pleasure of having Natalie in ours.
Jim
18:28 10 Jun 22
Our daughter loves going to Speech and OT here. Love the staff, specifically Alyse for OT and Sarah for speech therapy. They're so patient with our kiddo all the while keeping her on task and we love the growth we've seen already after just a few months. Veronica also has helped us navigate insurance and has been really helpful.
Lexy Neill
03:02 02 Jun 22
CPTWC has been an absolute haven for both my boys. The front office is always so welcoming & helpful with my 100 questions, especially Ms. Cory!

Our 4mo old baby required Physical Therapy due to Torticollis, and Ms. Amanda has been such a joy to work with. My son fell in love from day one, and she was able to help him achieve his goals, throughout his Doc Band journey.

Our 2.5yr old toddler was referred here by his pediatrician for Occupational Therapy, and Ms. Kirsten has been the most positive influence! He absolutely adores her, and has made such incredible progress. He has since started seeing Ms. Erin for Speech Therapy, which has also been such a positive and fun experience for him! Now we begin his ABA journey with Ms. Natalia and we already know he is in SUCH good hands with his whole caring team.

We are SO grateful to have found this wellness center, and would be lost without everyone there. Highly recommend for all the children in your life!

Your Insurance, Handled By Our Team

We take the hassle out of insurance paperwork and coordination, so you can focus on what matters most: your family.

Trust us to figure out the details: your coverage, authorizations, and claims.

Get to Know Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center

The unofficial motto in the office is “help kids every day”, and for the caring staff at CPTWC, this motto has become the foundation on which their therapies are built. The Wicker Park location relies on a team of dedicated professionals, each with their own disciplines, such as ABA therapy, but all sharing the same goal of putting the child’s well-being and future first.

500+

Families Served

10+

Years in Chicago

98%

Parent Satisfaction

15+

Experienced Therapists

Get to Know Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center
What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science-based approach that helps children on the autism spectrum learn new skills and build greater independence. Through decades of proven results, ABA programs in Wicker Park help children:

Strengthen communication and language abilities

Build social connections and play skills

Develop independence in everyday activities like dressing, toileting, and eating

Replace challenging behaviors with positive, functional ones

Gain confidence and readiness for school and community life

At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, ABA therapy is individualized, data-informed, and rooted in compassion. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) design customized treatment plans that highlight your child’s strengths while supporting their growth in meaningful ways.

Ready to Learn More?

Take the first step toward helping your child thrive

Don't wait months for an appointment. We have openings now for Wicker Park families.

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Getting Started With ABA Therapy at CPTWC

First Contact

Reach out by phone or complete the online form. Our friendly intake staff will walk you through the process.

Lincoln Park Park aba therapy
Lincoln Park Park aba therapy

Free Consultation

Meet with our caring team to talk about your child’s strengths, challenges, and hopes for therapy. We’ll help you understand what to expect and answer all your questions.

Lincoln Park Park aba therapy

Insurance Coordination

Our staff manages the insurance process so it’s simple from the start. We will:

  • Review your ABA therapy coverage and eligibility
  • Obtain pre-authorization directly from your provider
  • Clarify your benefits in plain language
  • Handle all paperwork and submissions on your behalf

Lincoln Park Park aba therapy

Comprehensive Evaluation

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) spends time getting to know your child and your family to create a personalized plan for success. This includes:

  • A detailed family interview and review of background information
  • Observations in home, school, or clinic settings
  • Skill-based assessments and developmental evaluations
  • Discussion of family priorities and meaningful goals

Lincoln Park Park aba therapy

Start ABA Therapy

Once your child’s plan is ready, we’ll pair your child with a therapist who’s the perfect fit for their needs and personality. Sessions may take place:

  • In our welcoming, child-centered Chicago clinic
  • At home, where your child feels comfortable
  • In school or daycare settings for seamless support
  • Out in the community to build everyday skills
  • In our therapeutic preschool classrooms (Chicago Therapeutic Children’s Academy)
  • Within small peer groups, to practice social learning

Lincoln Park Park aba therapy

Ongoing Collaboration and Growth

We keep you involved at every step: sharing progress, refining goals, and celebrating achievements together. You’re not just part of the process; you’re part of the team.

FAQs About Wicker Park ABA Therapy

ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is a therapy that helps children learn and build skills through encouragement and positive reinforcement, not punishment or pressure. It focuses on meaningful goals like communication, social connection, and independence in daily routines.

At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, ABA sessions are designed to feel like play. Therapists get to know your child, their personality, comfort level, and interests, and use this as the foundation for learning. Each program is personalized, paced with care, and reviewed with parents to ensure it remains supportive and respectful.

The purpose of ABA is not to change who your child is. It is to help them communicate, connect, and thrive in their own way, supported by a team that truly listens and cares.

CPTWC supports children from birth through elementary school. Our programs grow with your child, starting with early intervention for infants and toddlers, building school readiness for preschoolers, and strengthening independence and social skills for school-aged children.

It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about whether ABA therapy is the right next step. Many families start exploring ABA when they notice their child struggling with communication, social interaction, or behavior that feels hard to manage.

ABA therapy can help if your child:

  • Has difficulty expressing needs or understanding language
  • Avoids eye contact or playing with others
  • Shows strong reactions to changes in routine
  • Has frequent tantrums or self-soothing behaviors that seem overwhelming
  • Needs extra support learning daily routines like dressing, eating, or toileting

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to ask questions or reach out. At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, we’ll listen, learn about your child, and help you decide whether ABA is a good fit. Our goal is to support, not rush, you and your family in finding the right path forward.

In most cases, yes. Illinois requires many insurance providers to include ABA services for children diagnosed with autism. Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center partners with major insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and others.

Our team coordinates directly with your insurance company, confirming coverage and completing any authorizations on your behalf. We aim to remove the paperwork and confusion, making it easier for your child to start receiving care as soon as possible.

Each child learns and progresses differently. Following a thorough evaluation, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will design a therapy schedule that reflects your child’s unique strengths and goals.

Some children make steady progress with a few sessions each week, while others benefit from a more intensive program of 25 to 40 hours. Together, we’ll find a plan that fits comfortably within your family’s routine and supports lasting growth.

Every child grows at their own pace, but decades of research show that ABA therapy can lead to meaningful gains in language, learning, and everyday life skills.

Yes! We know how challenging it can be to wait for support, which is why we’re welcoming new Wicker Park families now.

Yes, parents are a vital part of the process. We believe progress happens fastest when families and therapists work as a team. Our clinicians take time to share what’s working in sessions and show you simple ways to build on those skills at home.

You’ll never be left wondering what to do next. We’ll walk with you, answer your questions, and provide coaching that fits your child’s needs and your family’s routines.

Our ABA team combines evidence-based practices with genuine care for your child’s progress. Each session is thoughtfully guided and reviewed by a BCBA to help your child grow in communication, social connection, independence, and behavior.

We stay in close touch with families, meeting regularly to share progress, celebrate every step forward, and adjust goals together. You’ll always feel informed, included, and supported as your child continues to grow.

Many centers provide ABA therapy, but Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center takes a more connected approach. Here, your child’s ABA therapist works side by side with speech, occupational, and physical therapists, as well as social workers, all in one place. We’ll determine whether the best approach for ABA is home-based support or center-based therapy. 

This teamwork means every specialist understands your child’s goals and progress. It creates a seamless, well-rounded plan that helps your child grow in every area: communication, movement, learning, and confidence.

At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, our goal is to help your child begin services as soon as possible.

After completing the consultation, insurance coordination, and evaluation process, most families can start therapy within a few weeks. Our team works efficiently, so your child can begin making progress without unnecessary delays.

Our Wicker Park location is easily accessible to families from nearby neighborhoods, including Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and West Town. In addition to in-clinic sessions, we offer therapy in homes and schools to give families the flexibility and convenience they need.

Session length depends on your child’s age, goals, and therapy plan. At Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, most ABA sessions range from two to four hours, several times per week. Some children attend shorter sessions focused on specific skills, while others participate in full-day programs that provide more intensive support.

Your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will recommend a schedule that fits your child’s needs and your family’s routine, ensuring every session feels productive, positive, and manageable.

At CPTWC, support goes beyond ABA. We also offer:

We bring all therapies together into one plan, so your child’s care feels connected, purposeful, and tailored to their goals.