Starting therapy shouldn't feel overwhelming
You've probably already navigated a lot to get here: evaluations, waitlists, and a lot of unknowns. From here on, the path is simple, and we'll walk it with you.
Four steps to your first session
Reach out
Start with our intake form. You can also call 314.626.0306. We'll talk about your child, answer your questions, and explain services and availability.
Intake paperwork
We'll gather your child's history, diagnosis documentation, and insurance information, and handle authorization details with you.
Individualized assessment
A clinician assesses your child's strengths and needs through observation, family interview, and standardized tools.
Treatment plan & first session
Together we set goals that are functional and socially significant, then begin services at our Kirkwood clinic.
A partnership from day one
- You stay involved: caregivers participate in planning, parent training, and regular progress reviews.
- A clinic built for kids: consistent routines, purpose-built spaces, and your child's whole team in one place.
- Whole-team coordination: with your consent, we collaborate with schools, physicians, and other providers.
We navigate coverage with you
Insurance is one of the most stressful parts of starting therapy, so we make it part of our job, not yours alone.
- Commercial plans we accept: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna/Evernorth, ComPsych, Magellan, MHNet, and Optum (United Behavioral Health).
- Missouri Medicaid: we accept MO HealthNet. Contact us to confirm coverage for your specific plan.
- Benefits, explained: we help you understand what your plan covers before services begin.
- Authorizations, handled: our team manages the prior-authorization process with your insurer.
- No surprises: clear communication about coverage and costs at every step.
Referring provider?
Pediatricians, diagnosticians, and therapists: we welcome referrals and collaborate closely with your team throughout treatment.
Answers for new families
What ages do you serve?
Our three programs serve children ages 1 to 12:
- Early Intervention (EI): ages 1 to 3.
- Transition Program (TP): ages 3 to 6.
- Social Skills Groups: ages 6 to 12.
Groups are matched by age and goals. Start with our intake form in Passage Health, and our team will follow up to discuss the right fit for your child's needs.
Do I need a diagnosis before starting ABA services?
ABA services typically require an autism diagnosis for insurance coverage. If your child hasn't been evaluated yet, reach out anyway. We can point you toward evaluation options in the St. Louis area and help you understand what comes next while you wait.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We accept Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet), as well as Aetna, Anthem, Cigna/Evernorth, ComPsych, Magellan, MHNet, and Optum (United Behavioral Health). Contact us with your plan name and we'll confirm your coverage and guide you through the authorization process.
Where do sessions happen?
All services are delivered at our Kirkwood clinic, which serves families across the St. Louis Metro Area. A dedicated clinic space means consistent routines for your child, purpose-built rooms for learning, movement, and quiet regulation, and a full care team under one roof every single day.
What kind of therapy do you provide?
We provide naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI), led by the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM): play-based early intervention that blends developmental science with the teaching principles of ABA. ESDM is one of the most rigorously researched models in autism care: in the landmark randomized trial, children receiving ESDM gained an average of 17.6 IQ points over two years, along with meaningful gains in language and daily living skills.
What does "neuroaffirming" mean at Developing Minds?
It means we start from the belief that autistic children don't need to be fixed. We presume competence, honor every form of communication, respect sensory needs, and choose goals that make your child's daily life genuinely better. Families tell us this is what sets us apart.
How involved will I be as a parent or caregiver?
Very involved, and that's by design. Collaboration between families, our staff, and outside providers is at the heart of how we work. You'll be part of goal-setting, parent training, and every progress review.