Now Enrolling Ages 2-6!

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What We Offer in West Des Moines

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

Discover Stride: ABA Therapy for Families

Where to Find Our West Des Moines Autism Center

Our West Des Moines location is off University and 50th, near Interstate 35. It’s close to local shopping centers, including Valley West Mall and is right across from Whole Foods, so you can run errands while in the area. The center has an outdoor play area and is staffed by a caring team of experts.

Conveniently Located ABA Therapy

In addition to our West Des Moines location, we have numerous centers throughout Central Iowa and the Greater Des Moines metropolitan area. Explore our other nearby locations to find a center near your home and community.

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Urbandale, Iowa

3001 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA

(515) 481-5586 Get Directions

Des Moines—Highland Park Area

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

(515) 481-5586 Get Directions

South Des Moines—Fleur Drive

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

Why Families Turn to Stride for ABA Therapy

Exceptional Team

Our highly skilled team blends clinical excellence with compassionate care to meet your child where they are. We create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe to learn and grow.

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Meaningful Milestones

Our structured, play-based methods deliver results, helping each child reach their goals and celebrate their successes as they learn through positive reinforcement and connections.

Personalized Support

Every child is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. That’s why we work closely with families to focus our care on where they are and what they wish to achieve.

Fully Accredited by the Most Trusted Autism Organizations

Our center in West Des Moines is an Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) provider and fully accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ). We are also a proud member of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP).

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About Stride

At Stride, we lead with joy. We bring together the best team of experts and the most proven methods, so that each child receives the comprehensive care they deserve. We then forge strong partnerships with families so that children grow in the ways that matter most to them — whether that’s creating bonds, developing real-life skills, or preparing for school.

Hear From Families Like Yours

Insurances We Accept

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What Is Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy?

If you’re looking for an ABA therapist in West Des Moines, chances are you’ve heard that this is the best therapeutic approach for children with autism. Applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, is great for kiddos with sensory sensitivities or motor challenges as it breaks down big picture goals into smaller, more manageable steps.

Working one-on-one with an experienced therapist, we use personalization and positive reinforcement to help young learners build the skills they need to thrive socially, emotionally, and developmentally.

Ready to Learn More?

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

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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:

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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