Finding ABA therapy for your school-age child shouldn't feel impossible, but for many families, that's exactly what it feels like. At BPI, we get calls every week from caregivers searching for after-school services. While our goal is to serve every family that reaches out, our afternoon availability is extremely limited. This is an unfortunate reality that we share with most ABA providers. 

Since ABA therapy is intensive and operates during traditional school hours, our services run throughout the morning and afternoon. While many of our learners participate in therapy during the day, we also support learners through the afternoon. This creates challenges in supporting learners who need strictly afternoon schedules. 

At BPI, we proudly support learners for as long as they need it, regardless of their age. Many of our younger learners begin therapy with us before ever stepping into a classroom, receiving services during daytime hours. As these learners grow and transition into school, our services grow with them—shifting into after-school time slots. In fact, most of our current after-school clients started with us during the day. This natural progression of long-term care significantly impacts the number of new learners we can support in the afternoon hours.  

Why Can't We Just Add More After-School Hours?

Because we're human.

ABA therapy is intense, hands-on, and in-person. Our team members work one-on-one with clients for hours at a time. It's not a job that can be done behind a desk or with the flexibility of remote work. Our team members spend hours each day working one-on-one with learners—teaching, prompting, encouraging, and celebrating progress. It’s meaningful work, but it also takes energy and focus.

Just like anyone else, our team members need balance to do their best work. They’re looking for full-time, sustainable schedules that allow them to thrive—both personally and professionally.

That’s why we carefully design schedules that consider both our learners’ needs and our staff’s well-being. To support consistency and quality care, we aim to offer services throughout the day rather than only in a short window after school.

So What's the Solution?

We believe the answer lies in partnership. Not just between caregivers and ABA providers, but between families and schools as well.

If your child needs ABA therapy, there are ways to make it work during the school day. In fact, we've seen success with two main models:

• Partial-Day Therapy with Partial-Day School: Some learners split their day, attending school in the morning and ABA therapy in the afternoon, or vice versa.
• Hybrid Week Schedule: Other families choose to alternate days, with two to three full days of ABA and two to three days of school.

These are not fringe solutions. In Illinois, families have the legal right to request accommodations for medically necessary care, which ABA falls under. And schools can collaborate to support hybrid models, especially when caregivers are well-informed and supported in advocating for their child's needs.

Understanding Common Concerns

We know that considering a hybrid schedule can bring up a lot of questions and worries. Many caregivers wonder: Will my child miss out on socialization? What about their academics? Won't they fall behind?

These concerns are completely valid, and we want to address them honestly.

Socialization doesn't only happen in school 

In fact, many autistic children benefit from the structured peer interactions that happen during in-clinic ABA therapy. At BPI, our learners practice turn-taking, sharing, group participation, and navigating social dynamics in a supportive environment. These skills often translate well to school settings once children have had the chance to build confidence and learn strategies in a controlled space.

ABA therapy builds school readiness

The skills we work on, like following directions, sitting and attending, communicating needs, and managing frustration, are the very skills that help children succeed in a classroom. For many learners, a period of intensive ABA actually accelerates their ability to participate meaningfully in school later on.

Hybrid schedules are temporary for most families

The goal of ABA isn't to replace school forever. It's to build foundational skills that help children succeed in school, in the community, and at home. Many families find that after a period of intensive therapy, their child is better equipped to transition into full-time school with the skills they need to thrive.

We understand that every family's situation is different, and these decisions aren't easy. That's why we're here to walk alongside you, answer your questions, and help you make the choice that's best for your child and your family.

This Isn't About Choosing Between School and Therapy

It's about making sure autistic children get what they need now so they can thrive later.

School has its place and serves a very critical function. But without access to therapy during the day, too many families are sitting on waitlists for after-school slots that might never open.

We think there's a better way.

If you're a caregiver of a school-age child who needs ABA, we encourage you to explore hybrid or partial-day options with us. Let's work together to educate schools, advocate for your child's needs, and build a schedule that supports both academic and therapeutic growth.

Because your child shouldn't have to wait years to get the help they need, and you shouldn't have to choose between education and intervention.

For questions about your options, call us at (888) 308-3728 to talk with our team about how we can support your child's unique needs and work with you to create a schedule that makes sense for your family.