01
Not forced compliance
A teen or adult can say no, ask for a break, or withdraw assent. We pause, listen, and adjust rather than pushing through distress.
Teens & young adults
Support for more independence, on your terms.
Individualized, assent-based ABA for autistic teens and young adults ages 13–25 across the East Bay. We build communication, self-advocacy, daily living, planning, and community skills around the person’s own goals.
Person-led ABA supportSee the assessment process →
Practical support for real life, guided by the person receiving care.
The teen and young-adult years bring new responsibilities, choices, and transitions. A BCBA starts by listening: what feels difficult, what matters now, and what greater independence would look like to the person—not just to the adults around them.
Goals are practiced in the places they matter, often at home and in the community, with assent, dignity, and age-respectful support built into every step.
What support can look like.
There is no standard teen or transition-age program. Goals are chosen around the person’s priorities, support needs, authorization, and daily life.
Communication & self-advocacy
Expressing preferences, asking for help, setting boundaries, using speech or AAC, and taking a more active role in decisions.
Daily living & planning
Preparing meals, organizing routines, managing personal tasks, and breaking larger responsibilities into workable steps.
Community & relationships
Practicing transportation, shopping, appointments, shared interests, friendships, and participation in chosen community activities.
These are examples, not a checklist or promised outcomes. The person receiving services helps choose goals and who they want involved.
Supporting images are representative stock or AI-generated scenes, not photographs of Animate Behavior clients, staff, or facilities.
Age-respectful care
Respect comes before every goal.
Older clients deserve age-respectful care that treats assent, autonomy, and quality of life as clinical requirements—not optional extras.
02
Not a generic life-skills curriculum
Goals are not assigned because of age alone. Each plan is built after assessment around the person’s priorities, strengths, and actual support needs.
03
Not about appearing less autistic
We do not suppress harmless stimming, force eye contact, or target traits simply to make someone easier for others to manage.
How care works
A small, accountable care team.
The people making clinical decisions know the person, the goals, and what is happening week to week.
01
BCBA-led assessment & plan
The BCBA meets with the person and their support team, identifies meaningful priorities, and explains the purpose of every recommended goal.
02
Consistent 1:1 support
A consistent RBT practices agreed goals in home and community routines, with close and ongoing BCBA supervision.
03
Collaboration by choice
Parents, caregivers, and other chosen support people can learn strategies that help skills carry over without taking over the person’s voice.
What we can work on
Goals for the life someone wants.
Examples to discuss with the BCBA—not requirements everyone must complete.
Self-advocacy & communication
Expressing needs, preferences, boundaries, and decisions through speech, AAC, signs, or other reliable communication.
Daily living at home
Cooking, laundry, hygiene, household routines, and personal tasks, taught at a pace that preserves dignity and choice.
Planning & organization
Using schedules, checklists, reminders, and step-by-step systems to manage responsibilities with less support.
Community participation
Practicing transportation, shopping, appointments, safety, and activities the person wants to access.
Relationships & shared interests
Building communication and confidence for friendships, family relationships, and chosen social activities.
Safety & behavior support
Understanding what behavior communicates and building safer, more effective ways to navigate stress, change, and difficult situations.
Home & community
Practice where the skills need to work.
For teens and young adults, services are generally home- and community-based across the East Bay, depending on clinical need, authorization, staffing, and availability.
At home
In-home support
Work on meals, routines, organization, communication, and other chosen goals in the environment where they happen.
In Albany
Community-based practice
When approved and clinically appropriate, practice skills in real settings such as stores, transit, appointments, recreation, or other chosen activities.
Coverage & funding
Coverage for transition-age care.
We currently accept Kaiser Permanente and Contra Costa Health Plan, and we work with the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB). Eligibility and authorization depend on the person’s plan, funding pathway, diagnosis, and medical necessity—not simply age.
We’ll help check your coverage or Regional Center funding as part of your request. Prefer to talk first? Call us weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM Pacific: (510) 500-5124
Let’s talk about the life skills that matter now.
Tell us what the person wants more support with, what is already working, and who they want involved. Our client services team replies within one business day, and a clinician reviews every request.