Helping young children with autism thrive

We offer center-based ABA programs for children 2-6 years old diagnosed with autism.

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A cheerful Stride Autism Centers® therapist engaging in a playful, fun, learning activity with a young child in a clinic.
A clean, graphic icon design representing the specialized ABA therapy services offered by Stride Autism Centers®.

See what life is like at Stride

Welcome to Stride Autism Centers® – a leading center-based ABA program, providing up to full-day in Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa! Get an Inside look at our ABA centers and hear firsthand from our compassionate therapists.

Learn more about ABA therapy

Our philosophy

We believe every child with autism deserves an independent and joyous future. That’s why we built Stride. Our best-in-class clinical team uses evidence-based therapy to empower preschool learners and their families.

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Our approach rooted in ABA therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most rigorously studied and widely accepted treatment for children with autism. ABA helps young learners better communicate, develop social and play skills and build self-care skills like potty-training and handwashing.

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71%

Of clients mainstream into general education classrooms after Stride.

98%

Of parents report meaningful improvements in their child’s ability to initiate communication.

2.9X

Higher staff retention than industry benchmark.

What our caregivers say

Sarah Deacon
My son has level 3 autism is non verbal and he needs a ton of support! He has been there for over a year now and I never thought my son would be using the potty while we still have a long way to go there have been what some might think are small improvements but in our world they are huge to us and are means to more opportunity for even more progress and independence! I am so happy we got into stride and that my son loves to go and we love all the RBT’s and his BCBA Kenzie!
Jenniffer Ramirez
Stride es uno de los lugares en los desde el principio te brindan apoyo confianza de poder dejar a tus bebès… estoy muy agradecida en este caminar tan bonito que hemos tenido
Fanfan Nkee
Great place for kids on spectrum
Joneshia Nicole
I love stride so much , they are so helpful and definitely helped my daughter in so many ways , there all very trustworthy !!
Lauren Harris
This place deserves more than five stars… Stride has been an answer to my prayers. All of the therapist are so nice and warm with high spirits and excitement for their jobs.
Alicia Raglin
Stride has done so much for my daughter and our family. Watching how much progress she has made has been such a beautiful thing to see. Seeing her play with other children, sit and participate in activities, and even do things she doesn’t necessarily prefer to do, happily, means so much to us.

The team has truly become an extension of our family because of how much they genuinely care about her. They have been her cheerleaders since day one, celebrating her progress and encouraging her every step of the way.

The parent training sessions have also been incredibly helpful. They’ve given us strategies that help us stay consistent at home, communicate better with her, keep her safe, and ultimately help our whole family be happier.

The team here is made up of some of the kindest, sweetest people we’ve ever had the privilege of having in our lives. I honestly can’t imagine where we would be without them. We are so grateful for everything they have done and continue to do for our daughter. ❤️
Ivy Nevenhoven
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Stride Autism Center and the incredible staff there. My daughter attended Stride from the time she was 2 years old until she was 6, and I will forever be grateful for the love, patience, and care they showed her throughout those years.

From the very beginning, the staff made my daughter feel accepted, and genuinely loved. As a parent, there is no better feeling than knowing you are leaving your child with people who truly care about her and celebrate her for exactly who she is. They took the time to understand her, encourage her, and help her grow while always making sure she felt safe and comfortable.

Stride became such an important part of our lives, and the staff became so much more than just her therapists and teachers. They were people who cheered her on through every milestone, celebrated her accomplishments, and cared for her like she was their own.

Watching my daughter grow from a little 2-year-old into the amazing 6-year-old she is today has been incredibly emotional, and Stride played such a big part in that journey. Leaving was definitely bittersweet because we will miss everyone so much.

I will always recommend Stride Autism Center to other families. Thank you to every single person who loved, supported, taught, and cared for my daughter over the years. You made such a difference in her life and ours, and we will never forget you. ❤️
Phuong Ha Tran
We absolutely love Stride! My son has been attending for about a year, and we have seen some positive changes and progress in him. He truly loves his teachers and enjoys going to Stride.
A special thank you to Ms. Delaney for going above and beyond to support my son and help us get additional learning hours. We truly appreciate her kindness, patience, and dedication.
We are very grateful to the entire Stride team for making our son feel happy, comfortable, and supported. ❤️
Marwa Dahir
When My son was starring he use to say yes ,no and mom but after a year now he can tell me what ever he need or wants instead of pulling my hand I really appreciate the
stride stuff they work hard for the kids and help them a lot
Deonne Belgrave
We are so grateful for the amazing care our grandson has received at Stride ABA Center. The team has helped him find his voice and learn better ways to communicate his needs and feelings. They have also worked patiently with him through challenging behaviors, helping him make progress in ways we can truly see and feel. We appreciate the compassion, patience, and dedication they show him every day. Stride has made such a positive difference in his life and in our family’s life. 🧩

Founded by a family just like yours

Stride is more than a company; it’s a mission born from experience. Our founder Brad Zelinger has dedicated over 30 years to supporting his sister, who lives with an autism-related disorder. Witnessing the challenges she’s faced, and knowing how much she would have benefitted from ABA therapy, fuels our commitment to providing exceptional care.

We’ve assembled a team of the most experienced, compassionate, and empathetic clinicians, because we believe every child deserves the best.

See Brad’s Story

Our founder and his sister circa 1990
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See if You’re Covered

  • Anthem
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL (BCBSIL)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL – Loyola Physician Partners
  • Cigna
  • UnitedHealth Group/Optum
  • America’s PPO
  • Anthem
  • Wellmark (BCBS of IA)
  • UnityPoint Accountable Care
  • UnitedHealth Group/Optum
  • Cigna
  • Iowa Medicaid
  • Iowa Total Care
  • Amerigroup (IA Medicaid)
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Anthem
  • Nebraska Blue (BCBS of NE)
  • Nebraska Total Care
  • Healthy Blue
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Iowa Total Care
  • Tricare
  • United Community Plan
  • UnitedHealth Group/Optum
  • Nebraska Medicaid

Other major insurers accepted

  • America’s PPO
  • Anthem
  • Avera
  • South Dakota Medicaid
  • Sanford
  • Wellmark (BCBS of SD)

Other major insurers accepted

  • Anthem
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL (BCBSIL)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL – Loyola Physician Partners
  • Cigna
  • UnitedHealth Group/Optum
  • America’s PPO
  • Anthem
  • Wellmark (BCBS of IA)
  • UnityPoint Accountable Care
  • UnitedHealth Group/Optum
  • Cigna
  • Iowa Medicaid
  • Iowa Total Care
  • Amerigroup (IA Medicaid)
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Anthem
  • Nebraska Blue (BCBS of NE)
  • Nebraska Total Care
  • Healthy Blue
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Iowa Total Care
  • Tricare
  • United Community Plan
  • UnitedHealth Group/Optum
  • Nebraska Medicaid

Other major insurers accepted

  • America’s PPO
  • Anthem
  • Avera
  • South Dakota Medicaid
  • Sanford
  • Wellmark (BCBS of SD)

Other major insurers accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Stride Autism Centers® and our ABA therapy program for preschool-aged children. Click here to learn more.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps young learners build meaningful skills through positive reinforcement and individualized teaching. At Stride, we tailor goals to each child—focusing on communication, social and play skills, and self-care (like potty training and handwashing)—and partner closely with families to support progress at home and school.

Stride Autism Centers® is dedicated to serving children ages 2 to 6, a critical time for early intervention and skill development. If your child is within this age range, we’re ready to help.

It’s easy! Complete this inquiry form and we’ll contact you to take the next step. To learn more about the Enrollment Process, click here.

Find a clinic near you

Stride is the leading provider of center-based ABA across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. We have 23 award winning centers and are growing. Enter your zip code below and we point you to the clinic closest to you.

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Get Started with Stride Today

Stride Autism Centers® is dedicated to delivering meaningful outcomes for both the learner and their family. Our dedicated team, including Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), is here to provide the compassionate care needed to promote your child’s growth and independence.

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