Expert Support for Children with Autism
ChildServe’s Autism Program offers a comprehensive range of services for children or young adults who display characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our pediatric specialists evaluate, diagnose, and treat children and young adults.
We help families find and understand resources related to their child’s needs. Behavioral support techniques for children with ASD are interwoven throughout our program. We provide referrals and recommendations about behavior support plans, communication techniques, and environmental supports.
What Makes Us Different?
Why Choose ChildServe?
Coordinated Care Approach
ChildServe’s approach to coordinated care takes many of the challenging or confusing spots in our healthcare system and turns them into strengths. Learn more.
Care that Grows With You
Our team will help you find the right combination of services to help your child build skills and reach their goals.
Child-led Instruction
Our autism program offers a fun, family-focused environment with services designed around each child’s unique needs. We teach children new skills by tapping into their favorite activities and interests to make learning fun.
Standardized Testing
We use standardized testing tools from psychological, occupational and speech disciplines to evaluate many levels of a child’s functioning.
Who We Serve
ChildServe’s Autism Program supports children and young adults who have a diagnosis of ASD, or who demonstrate common behaviors of ASD. See our full list of autism services here.
Autism Day Program
Our Autism Day Program is the only one of its kind in Iowa. We offer specialized weekday care for children with ASD (ages two through six years old). Children receive positive behavioral support from staff along with occupational, speech, and physical therapy on-site during the day to promote overall health and development.
Children in the Autism Day Program participate in evidenced-based treatments focused on their needs, abilities, and goals. We use the STAR curriculum (Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research), which is designed for children with ASD. The research-supported components of STAR align with therapy goals identified on each child’s plan and include systematic skill-building lessons and progress tracking. Research shows that children who receive early intervention for ASD have improved long-term outcomes in goal areas like independence and meaningful relationships.
The Autism Day Program is offered at ChildServe in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Johnston.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
ABA is a science that seeks to understand how learning occurs. ChildServe ABA identifies the best approach to teach children new skills like communicating, engaging with others, learning independently, and other skills that help them be successful at home, school or in the community. Licensed behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians work with children and families to help them achieve their goals.
ChildServe provides ABA in a fun-filled, empathetic environment. Through our child-led approach, each child’s unique interests, likes and dislikes help us create a customized plan to make learning fun. ABA has a strong emphasis on parent training and family involvement. ABA is provided in 1:1 or group settings and can occur four to 30 hours per week.
Diagnostic Clinic
Life Skills Programming
ChildServe helps teens and young adults with ASD (ages 14-21 years old) make the transition to adulthood by building independence. Through supported, interactive activities, young adults learn daily living skills, employment skills, and job acquisition skills through group or individual therapy sessions. We teach functional routines and expressive/receptive language skills. Our specialists partner with parents to develop individualized plans and goals for each young adult.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Outpatient Therapy
Research Partners
Our Team of Specialists
Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Registered Behavior Technician
Physical Therapist
Social Worker
View Our Annual Outcomes
ChildServe regularly gathers child and family satisfaction feedback, quality reports, and census data to monitor our services and continuously work to improve the care and services we provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started?
Referrals can be made by the child’s parent/guardian, physicians, case managers, therapists, or other members of the child’s care team. To make a referral or request more information about one of our programs, call us or email us using the contact info below.
Where are the services provided?
- ABA: Ames, Cedar Rapids, Johnston and Iowa City
- Autism Day Program: Johnston, Ames, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
- Diagnostic Clinic: Johnston
- Life Skills: Johnston, Ames and Iowa City
- Medical Nutrition Therapy: Johnston
- Outpatient Therapy: Johnston, Ames, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
- Project ImPACT: Iowa City and Johnston
- Social Groups: Johnston, Ames and Iowa City
- PEERS Social Group: Johnston
When are services provided?
The Autism Day Program is available Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Other Autism services, appointments and programming will be scheduled during the following time frames:
Ames/Johnston:
- Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Iowa City:
Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Contact Us!
5406 Merle Hay Road,
Johnston, IA 50131
515-727-8750
1915 Philadelphia Street,
Ames, IA 50010
515-232-7220
2350 Oakdale Blvd.,
Coralville, IA 52241
319-351-5437
ChildServe - Cedar Rapids
1661 Boyson Square Dr., Suite 100,
Hiawatha, IA 52233
319-777-7450
If you would like to make a referral, or if you have questions for our team, please email communications@childserve.org. Be sure to include which location you are interested in so we can connect you with the right team member.
ChildServe - Johnston
ChildServe - Ames
ChildServe - Iowa City
ChildServe - Cedar Rapids
About
ChildServe improves the health and well-being of more than 5,600 children each year through specialized clinical, home, and community-based programs and services. We serve children with developmental delays, disabilities, injuries, and other special healthcare needs.
Follow Us
Contact Us
Johnston | 515-727-8750
Ames | 515-232-7220
Des Moines | 515-280-5332
Iowa City | 319-351-5437
Cedar Rapids | 319-777-7450
Links
Social Group Programming