Now Enrolling Ages 2-6!

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What We Offer at Our Center

Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) Therapy
One-on-One Support for Young Learners
Personalized Treatment Plans for Ages 2-6
Parent Training and Support

Discover Stride: ABA Therapy with Heart

Discover Our Urbandale Location

Stride’s center-based ABA Therapy program for preschoolers helps prepare children with autism for kindergarten and beyond. We are thrilled to offer our services in Urbandale, Iowa.

Conveniently Located in Urbandale

Stride Autism Centers is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality ABA therapy to families. In addition to our Urbandale location, we have multiple centers throughout Iowa. Explore our other locations to find a center that’s convenient for you and your family.

Clive, Iowa

9902 Swanson Blvd, Clive, IA, USA

(515) 481-5586 Get Directions
Interior view of the front reception area of the Stride Autism Center for children in Johnston, Iowa.

Johnston, Iowa

8835 Northpark Ct, Johnston, IA 50131, USA

(515) 481-5586 Get Directions

Des Moines—Park Fair

100 E Euclid Ave, Suite 29 in Des Moines, IA 50313

(515) 481-5586 Get Directions

Des Moines—Fleur

Stride Autism Centers - Des Moines–Fleur ABA Therapy, 2680 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA

(515) 481-5586 Get Directions

Why Families Trust Stride Autism Centers

Experienced & Compassionate Team of Award-Winning Specialists

Our team blends clinical excellence with compassionate care. We create a nurturing space where every child thrives.

Evidence-Based Therapy Tailored to Your Child's Needs

Every child is unique. We design therapy backed by science and shaped to fit your child’s goals, strengths, and pace.

Proven Progress in Our Programs

Families trust our results. With personalized, outcome-based strategies, we help children reach meaningful milestones.

Fully Accredited by Leading Autism Organizations

Fully accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ). Also, a proud member of CASP and ACE provider.

Meet Our Urbandale Team We Trust

Aly Forbes, BCBA

Clinical Supervisor

Aly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She received B.A. degrees in Psychology and Spanish from Creighton ...

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Emily Hansen

Emily Hansen

BCBA

Emily Hansen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended the University of Northern Iowa where she rec...

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Headshot of a woman with wavy hair, flashing a smile while looking straight at the camera.

Morgan Beck

BCBA

Morgan Beck (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received a B.S. in Psychology and a M.S. in Applied ...

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Allison Thorenhill

BCBA

Allison Thorenhill (any/all) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. They received a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in...

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Kasey Villa

BCBA

Kasey Villa (she/her) is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated with a B.A in Applied Psychology before go...

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Who We Are

At Stride, we are deeply committed to serving the Chicago community with gold standard ABA therapy services. Our focus lies in helping children with autism reach their full potential through specialized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.

We understand the unique challenges faced by families seeking support for their children with autism, & our dedicated team is here to provide the compassionate care and legal support they need during these critical times.

Hear From Families Like Yours in Urbandale

My daughter attended Stride for two years, and as a mother, I've noticed significant improvements in her. The teachers are patient and easy to communicate with. I highly recommend this place.
We are incredibly grateful for the STRIDE program and the amazing team of professionals who have supported our son every step of the way. From the very beginning, STRIDE has been an invaluable resource in helping our son grow and thrive. The staff members are exceptional—compassionate, patient, and highly skilled. They have created a safe and nurturing environment where our son can develop at his own pace, boosting both his confidence and skills.

Thanks to STRIDE’s tailored approach, we have seen tremendous progress in our son’s communication, social interactions, and overall behavior. The program’s structure and individualized attention have made a world of difference, helping him achieve milestones we once thought were out of reach. What stands out most is how the staff takes the time to understand each child’s unique needs and works collaboratively with our family to ensure the best outcomes.

STRIDE has not only helped our son grow academically and socially, but it has also given us a deeper understanding of how to support him at home. We are truly thankful for the dedication and care that the STRIDE team has shown.
One of the best centers for Autistic Kids very Friendly Staff they are great at Helping kids , my son has been going to stride For over a year now and he changed so much . He started at stride with zero words and now he’s thriving and so much words !!!! They helped him so much .!
Stride has help my son out with speech, day to day needs, sharing, being open to kids and so much more! Within just a year of being there my son went from little to no words and talking so much! I definitely recommend enrolling your little one here for ABA therapy. Morgan, my sons BCBA in Urbandale is absolutely wonderful. She listens and helps in anyway she can!
Our son has been going to Stride Autism Center Urbandale for a year now and his progress is just amazing! He has been more communicative compared to what he was, more affectionate and more playful. His BCBA and RBTs were really helpful in his progress, they did really well on helping my son to learn and have fun at the same time, which makes it enjoyable for him to come into his classes every day.

We are currently working on toilet training him, so far he has been doing great progress with it. We are not there yet, but for sure that’s another surprise that we are looking forward to… We actually get a lot of surprises from our boy on a daily basis… Most of them is on how he communicate with us in words and phrases…

Stride Autism Center played a very big part of our son’s progress, they have worked so hard on what he is right now and we believe that there will be more things to come that are yet to happen… More surprises!!!
The instructors at Stride are Spectacular at what they do. They have taken my once uncontrollable child and taught transitions between different activities, being around other children without the need to physically attack them and interacting with others in an appropriate manner. They have taught my child to recognize the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors. My child is not very verbal but they have working the communication device like a wizard. I am so proud of what they have accomplished with my child in a years time.
As our son started kindergarten today I can’t believe how far he’s come. He couldn’t have done it without the support and staff at Stride. It literally changed everything with having such a supportive group of people wanting your child to do the best of their ability. Taking the time to really get to know him to come up with the best plan. He is completely verbal and can express his needs. Potty trained and so much more. All because special individual plan was made just for him and his needs. I can’t thank them enough for going above and beyond for our family. Everyone deserves a chance to be their best!!
Thank you Stride
Our son was 4.5 yro when he started Stride. He was not potty trained, didn’t speak functionally, could not communicate what he wanted and would lash out and have meltdowns daily. He is now 5.5 yro and he is fully potty trained, he can ask for what he wants, he can tell you what he doesn’t want. He is getting help with his hand washing fear. They have helped with self care and his ability to stand having his hair cut. He doesn’t have many meltdowns as of late and has stopped lashing out. Stride is amazing, they communicate with us and work with us to help keep things consistent for our son. Highly recommend!
Stride has helped my son grow into such an empowered and happily independent child. The level of care the staff provides for all of the children is so heart felt it has brought tears to the eye, they care so much about each and every child in attendance as well their familiars. My son was near nonverbal before starting at Stride , really only involved in side by side play, had a ton of food adversities. He now talks so well, loves playing and interacting with others, and is way more interested in trying new foods. There is so much more “good” that stride has done, the staff, the amenities for the children, all of Stride is wonderful. Our entire family is so thankful to have found Stride Autism Centers.

Insurances We Accept

Ready to Learn More?

Contact us today to schedule a tour or ask any questions you may have. Our team is here to help.

What to Expect

We understand that receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can be overwhelming. At Stride, our team of clinicians is here to support you every step of the way, from understanding the diagnosis to starting an effective therapy program. We are committed to helping you navigate this journey with compassion and expertise.

Here’s a Step-by-step Guide to Our Process at Stride:

Give Us a Call or Submit our Online Form

Give us a call at Stride or submit our online form, and our staff will be ready to
assist you. Whether you have questions or are ready to schedule a free
consultation, we’re here to help. Call us at (312) 554-5578

Free consultation

During the free consultation, one of our experienced intake specialists will take the
time to understand your child’s unique needs, answer any questions you have, and guide you through our enrollment process.

Insurance Support

From verifying your benefits to securing authorization, we’ll ensure a smooth
experience, so you can focus on your child’s well-being.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Our board-certified staff will conduct a comprehensive assessment. Through observation, play, and conversation,
we’ll get to know your child better and design an individualized ABA therapy program tailored to their needs.

ABA Programs Begins

Your child’s ABA therapy journey starts with our dedicated team, closely monitoring their progress.

At Stride Autism Centers, we are dedicated to providing top-quality ABA services,
empowering your child to reach their fullest potential. Take the first step towards a brighter future by contacting us today.

News & Insights

ABA Therapy

Common Questions About Our Center

ABA is the gold standard for treating autism and is the most widely studied and effective treatment available. ABA is recommended by major American medical associations and the US Surgeon General. CBT is generally not the best fit for preschool-aged children with autism, especially those with minimal communication skills.

Some children with autism have symptoms that can be supported by occupational therapy (OT), such as sensory sensitivities or gross motor challenges. Stride partners with local OT providers, as applicable, to ensure proper coordination of care. That said, ABA is typically the therapy that makes the biggest difference for children with autism.

Decades of clinical studies have shown that young children with autism who received intensive ABA therapy demonstrated:

  1. Larger increases in IQ and adaptive functioning
  2. Fewer challenging behaviors and social problems
  3. Increased likelihood of fully joining regular education without assistance

ABA uses positive reinforcement to promote increases in desirable behaviors. As a result, we see its application across a wide range of uses. From school settings where teachers reinforce participation and task completion to marketing executives who develop loyalty programs, ABA is everywhere.

Your involvement is key to your child’s success. We provide regular updates, training sessions, and opportunities to collaborate so you feel empowered to support your child at home.

We’re here to make the process as simple as possible. Contact us through our website or call the center closest to you. Our team will walk you through assessments, insurance details, and the next steps. Learn more about the Enrollment Process.

If your child has autism or is showing developmental delays, ABA therapy could make a big difference. Reach out to us, and we’ll help assess your child’s unique needs and potential benefits.

ABA can be helpful until therapy goals are met or if progress is not being made. Stride specializes in supporting preschool children ages 2 through 6 with the goal of making significant and meaningful progress that reduces the need for continued ABA post-Stride. For children who can benefit from continued ABA after the age of 6, Stride can provide a referral to other organizations that can provide care in-home or after school.

Absolutely. Every child is different, and we take the time to create a therapy plan tailored specifically to your child’s strengths, challenges, and goals.

Research shows that the earlier we intervene and begin therapy, the better the outcomes. This makes intuitive sense as kids have greater plasticity in their behavior the younger they are.

As kids grow older, they develop compensatory habits that make it more difficult to teach new, positive skills. For these reasons and more, Stride specializes in supporting preschool-aged children (ages 2 to 6) with autism. Typically, the earliest someone can be diagnosed with autism is 18 months old. Beginning ABA shortly after that is optimal for families who want their children to realize their potential.

If your child has autism or is showing developmental delays, ABA therapy could make a big difference. Reach out to us, and we’ll help assess your child’s unique needs and potential benefits.

Costs can vary, but most insurance plans cover ABA therapy when medically necessary. We’ll work with you to confirm coverage and help minimize out-of-pocket expenses.

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