Vilij ABA

10/28/2025

Special Needs Mom Squad Founder, and our go to expert on special needs insurance questions, Stephanie Thompson is giving a seminar on Nov. 3 (click on the EventBrite link to register). This yearly primer is excellent for those with questions/wanting to understand what their options are.

If your child receives Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, health insurance coverage is about to look different in 2026

10/20/2025

We hope you remember that the love we show to children shapes how they experience the world. When children feel truly cared for, they learn to notice and appreciate the goodness around them.

10/19/2025

Open Enrollment is here in Illinois! 🎒🗓️
Nov 1–Jan 15 (enroll by Dec 15 for coverage that starts Jan 1).

Whether your child is on Medicaid/All Kids or a workplace/Marketplace plan, ABA and other therapies can be covered—but details vary by plan (networks, prior auth, costs).

Quick checks (2–3 mins):
• Are your child’s providers in-network for 2026?
• Do you need prior authorization for ABA next year?
• Any hour/visit limits or referral rules?
• What are your deductible, copay/coinsurance, and out-of-pocket max?
• If you switch plans, will continuity of care protect current authorizations?

👉 Get the step-by-step guide (with IL-specific updates) and message us for a free benefits check—we’ll confirm coverage and next steps so your child’s care continues smoothly.

ABA therapy where the focus is progress, not profits. Where actions speak louder than words. It takes a village and we can't wait to be a part of yours.

10/08/2025

AAC Awareness Month is in October, we're taking the opportunity to discuss the many ways our kiddos communicate!

When speech isn’t the easiest path, kids still have so much to say. Our new post breaks down how AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) pairs beautifully with ABA to build functional communication—at home, at school, and in the community.

📖 Read it here: https://www.vilijaba.com/aac-aba-helping-your-child-be-heard-in-illinois

What’s inside (packed with links & resources 🔗✨):
✅ Low-tech starters you can use today: core boards, choice boards, simple buttons, and visual supports—plus printable boards and how-to guides.
✅ High-tech app trials (free trials) for tools like TD Snap, TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, Proloquo, Avaz, and CoughDrop, so you can find a tool that works for you and your family.
✅ Illinois-specific help: how to borrow AAC devices for free through the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), and where ISBE explains AT/AAC in IEPs.
✅ Quick-start plan while you’re waiting on insurance: the first core words to model (think “help,” “more,” “stop,” “go”), and how to keep everyone—home, school, and therapy—on the same page.
✅ Team approach: how BCBAs and SLPs on your care team collaborate so communication tools and strategies stay consistent across settings.

💡 Bonus: There’s a printer-friendly starter pack linked in the post to get you going fast.

If you’re in Illinois and want help figuring out trials, device loans, school supports, or insurance steps, we’ve got you. 🤝
📲 Book a free consult right from the article.

ABA therapy where the focus is progress, not profits. Where actions speak louder than words. It takes a village and we can't wait to be a part of yours.

10/08/2025

Potty success shouldn’t stop at home! 🚗💨🏫 Taking your child’s new skills into daycare, school, or community outings can be challenging - but with the right tools, patience, and empathy, something that can be mastered together. Read our third blog on our three part series on toilet training.

Looking for support tailored to your child? Call to speak with one of our clinicians to learn how we can support you and your family.

📲 (630) 777-2800 | Read more:

Potty training at home is one thing—but what happens when your child needs to use the bathroom out in the community?

09/16/2025

Nighttime potty training doesn’t have to be guesswork 🌙
If your toddler is staying dry after naps, doing well in the day, and can ask for help, they may be ready for nights too. Our quick guide covers when to start, how to protect sleep, and what to do when accidents happen—without pressure.
👩‍⚕️ Our ABA clinicians help families build calm, consistent routines. Want to see how we work? Call to tour our clinic and chat with a specialist.
📲 (630) 777-2800 | Read the guide:

Nighttime dryness is usually a developmental milestone rather than a skill you can directly teach. And while it takes longer, there are strategies that can help.

09/03/2025

🌟 Is Your Toddler Ready for Toilet Training? 🌟

Potty training is a big milestone—for both toddlers and parents! 🧸✨ But how do you know when it’s the right time to start?

Here are some common signs your child may be ready:
✅ Staying dry for longer stretches
✅ Noticing (and telling you) when they need a change
✅ Showing interest in the bathroom or toilet
✅ Walking, sitting, and pulling pants up and down
✅ Wanting to “do it myself!”

👉 Starting too early can be stressful, but waiting until your child shows these cues makes the process smoother and more positive.

💡 Want more tips and expert guidance?
Read our full guide here:

ABA therapy where the focus is progress, not profits. Where actions speak louder than words. It takes a village and we can't wait to be a part of yours.

08/30/2025

✨ Navigating the IEP Process in Illinois ✨
If you’re a parent preparing for your child’s IEP meeting, you don’t have to face it alone.

Our step-by-step guide helps you:
✔️ Understand your child’s rights
✔️ Prepare with confidence
✔️ Advocate effectively during the IEP process
✔️ Review our favorite resources!

📘 Read the full guide here 👉 https://www.vilijaba.com/navigating-the-iep-process-in-illinois-a-parents-guide-to-preparation-and-rights

08/29/2025

08/27/2025

Is your child facing challenges in school?

Join the Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) for “Evaluation: What Parents Should Know to Get Started” on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 12 to 1 p.m.

This session will provide a roadmap for parents seeking an Individualized Education Program (IEP). It will also cover:

- The significance of evaluations and when and how to start the process

- Your vital role as a parent/guardian throughout the evaluation journey

- Your child’s rights under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

- Insights into Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)

For more information, including the link to register, visit https://zurl.co/JK2lJ.

08/27/2025

Lisa's website is a very comprehensive resource for parents. If you haven't followed her already and/or looked at the IEP database she provides, give it a look.

If you have an IEP meeting coming up - it can also be helpful to review some of the articles to become more familiar with the process/what to expect/and come up with questions as they apply to your family.

Everything that parents should know about finding and hiring an IEP Advocate or Special Education Advocate.

06/12/2025

"The Supreme Court on Thursday made it easier for students with disabilities to sue to enforce their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws enacted to ensure that disabled children get appropriate schooling.

Writing for a unanimous court, Chief Justice John Roberts said that while Thursday's decision may be narrow, that does not diminish its importance for a great many children with disabilities—children who face "daunting challenges on a daily basis."

"We hold today," he said, "that those challenges do not include having to satisfy a more stringent standard of proof than other plaintiffs" in discrimination cases."

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the unanimous opinion, with Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson writing separate concurring opinions.