Frequently Asked Questions

ABA parent coaching is a personalized, caregiver-centered approach where we teach you — the parent or caregiver — science-backed strategies to support your child’s development in your real, everyday life. Unlike traditional clinic- or center-based ABA, our coaching is virtual, flexible, and designed to meet your family where you are. You learn exactly what to do, why it works, and how to apply it at home and in the community — so the support doesn’t stop when sessions end.

The short answer: this is not a cookie-cutter program. Everything we do is built around your child, your family’s routines, your goals, and your challenges. You won’t receive a generic plan filled with jargon you don’t understand — you’ll receive clear, practical strategies explained in plain language, designed specifically for your family. We take the time to truly understand your situation before recommending anything. Many families tell us that what they value most is feeling genuinely heard and supported, not just handed a handout.

We work with families of children, teens, and adults of all ages. Whether your loved one is young and just starting out, navigating the teen years, or a grown adult, our coaching is individualized to fit their current needs and your family’s goals. It is never too late to build skills and make meaningful progress.

We offer two main services: ABA Parent Coaching for goals like toilet training, mild feeding challenges, building routines, and increasing adaptive skills; and the RUBI Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior Program©, a structured, evidence-based program for parents of children with autism who are experiencing challenging behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, or noncompliance. All services are delivered virtually. We serve families across Michigan and proudly offer sessions in both English and Spanish — so you can engage fully in the language you feel most comfortable with.

The RUBI Parent Training for Disruptive Behavior Program© is a research-validated program

developed by the RUBI Autism Network. In weekly virtual sessions, we work through proven strategies together to reduce challenging behaviors, build positive routines, and teach your child new skills — all in a way that fits your family’s everyday life. Learn more at rubinetwork.org.

You will work directly with Mariana Del Rio, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA — a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Analyst, and doctoral student in Behavior Analysis at Western Michigan University. Mariana has been working with children with autism and their families since 2008, bringing over 18 years of experience in the field. She has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2014, with more than 12 years of specialized clinical expertise. Before starting her private practice, she served as Manager of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Henry Ford Health, leading a team of BCBAs across a variety of settings. That depth of experience means she understands not just the science, but the real challenges families face day to day. You won’t be passed around between providers — you’ll have one dedicated expert who truly knows your child and your family

Yes — and we strongly believe this collaboration makes a real difference. We are happy to coordinate with your child’s speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and other providers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals. We also attend and participate in IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings when needed, helping you advocate for your child and ensure that behavioral supports are reflected in their school plan. True progress happens when the whole team is aligned.

If you are a parent or caregiver looking for practical, personalized support — and traditional in- home or center-based therapy hasn’t been working, isn’t accessible where you live, or no longer fits your family’s needs — our services may be a great fit. Our model is also ideal for families whose child has graduated from traditional ABA but still needs ongoing behavior support at home. Many families find themselves in this in-between space — their child has made great progress, but challenging behaviors and skill-building still need attention. That is exactly what we are here for. We encourage you to book a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk through your situation and answer your questions with no pressure.

The first step is to book a free 15-minute consultation at itavbehavior.com. During this call, you can ask questions, share what your family is experiencing, and we’ll explore whether our services are the right fit. If it’s a good match, we’ll walk you through the next steps together.

No referral is required to book a consultation. While many of our clients are parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, we support families with a range of behavioral and developmental challenges. We’ll talk through your family’s specific situation during the free consultation.

Our parent coaching model is designed for families who can benefit from a caregiver-centered, virtual approach. However, we recognize that some children require a higher level of care — such as intensive, direct ABA therapy with a team of behavior technicians. If at any point we determine that your child’s needs go beyond what our services can appropriately address, we will be honest and transparent with you about that. We’ll let you know clearly and help point you in the right direction. Your child’s wellbeing always comes first.

All of our services are delivered virtually. This means you can access support from anywhere — no commuting, no clinic schedules, no geographic limits. Sessions are conducted via video call at a time that works for your family.

Sessions are collaborative and hands-on. We may review what happened since our last meeting, practice strategies together, problem-solve challenges you’re running into, or introduce new tools for you to try. The focus is always on making strategies practical and usable in your everyday life — not just in theory.

Data is at the heart of everything we do. Between sessions, parents collect behavior and skill acquisition data directly through an easy-to-use app on your phone or tablet. This means we’re never guessing — we make decisions based on real information about how your child is actually doing day to day. You’ll be able to see your child’s progress over time, and we review the data together in sessions to adjust strategies as needed.

Yes — this is one of the most common and important reasons families come to us. Through parent training, we teach you practical, evidence-based strategies to understand why challenging behaviors are happening and how to respond effectively in the moment. You’ll learn how to prevent behaviors before they escalate, what to do when they occur, and how to teach your child alternative skills. Our goal is for you to feel confident and equipped — not overwhelmed — when difficult moments arise at home.

Each session is 60 minutes long. The frequency of sessions is tailored to your family’s needs and goals, and we’ll discuss what makes the most sense for you during our initial consultation and planning process.

Yes. We currently accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Blue Care Network (BCN), and private pay. If you are unsure whether your specific plan covers ABA services, we recommend calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card. We are happy to help guide you through the process.

We offer private pay options for families whose insurance is not currently in-network with us. We’ll discuss fees transparently during your free consultation so there are no surprises. Our goal is to make quality, individualized support as accessible as possible.

Yes. We manage the authorization process on your behalf, including submitting documentation and communicating with your insurance provider. We keep you informed throughout so you always know where things stand.

You can reach Mariana by email at mariana@itavbehavior.com or by phone at (248) 315-1334.

You can also book a free 15-minute consultation directly at itavbehavior.com. We aim to respond to all inquiries within one business day.

It Takes a Village Behavior Consulting is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and we serve families throughout Michigan. Because all of our services are virtual, we can support you wherever you are in the state.