Collaborative ABA Services & Developmental Support for Charlotte-Area Families
Ascent Developmental Group partners with pediatricians, psychologists, therapists, educators, and community organizations to provide individualized, neurodiversity-affirming ABA services and developmental support for children and families in the Charlotte region. We welcome referrals and provider collaboration at any stage of the care process.
Who We Partner With
Ascent Developmental Group welcomes referrals from a wide range of professionals and community partners. Families may also contact us directly — a formal referral is not required to begin a conversation.
Pediatricians & Primary Care Physicians
Referring families when developmental, behavioral, adaptive, or communication concerns are present.
Psychologists & Diagnostic Providers
Supporting families after diagnosis, during care planning, or when translating clinical recommendations into daily-life support.
Speech-Language Pathologists, OTs & Mental Health Providers
Collaborating across disciplines when families are receiving multiple services.
Schools & Educators
Partnering around communication, independence, routines, and generalization of skills across home and school settings.
Community Organizations & Advocacy Groups
Connecting with early childhood programs, family support organizations, and community agencies.
When to Refer
Families may be appropriate for referral when they need support in any of the following areas. Families do not need to know exactly what type of service they need — we help clarify options and determine the best path forward.
Autism or Developmental Concerns
Evaluation follow-up, post-diagnosis support, or developmental guidance.
Communication
Building expressive and receptive communication across contexts and modalities.
Adaptive Skills
Practical life skills that support participation at home and in the community.
Emotional Regulation
Developing skills for identifying and managing emotions across environments.
Daily Routines
Supporting predictability and independence within everyday family routines.
Transitions
Helping children navigate changes in routines, settings, and life stages.
Caregiver Coaching
Equipping caregivers with strategies and confidence to support their child at home.
School Participation
Partnering with school teams to align goals and support skill generalization.
Social Participation
Supporting meaningful connection and engagement in social environments.
Service Navigation
Helping families understand options, coordinate services, and access appropriate care.
Post-Diagnosis Support
Translating clinical recommendations into meaningful, daily-life support.
ABA Services or ABA-Informed Consultation
Individualized ABA services or consultation when clinically appropriate.
What We Provide
Ascent Developmental Group provides ABA services as our primary clinical offering, alongside ABA-informed caregiver coaching, parent training, developmental consultation, family support, and group-based programs. All services are individualized, family-centered, and grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, assent-based practice.
ABA Services
Individualized Applied Behavior Analysis services delivered with assent-based, neurodiversity-affirming practices and a focus on meaningful quality-of-life outcomes.
Caregiver Coaching & Training
Equipping caregivers with evidence-based strategies embedded in everyday routines and real-life contexts.
Developmental Consultation
Clinical guidance for families and providers navigating developmental concerns, service options, and care planning.
Family Support Services
Practical support for families navigating the complexities of developmental care, systems, and daily life.
Group-Based Programs
Structured opportunities for children to develop communication, social participation, and daily living skills in affirming group settings.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Coordination with pediatricians, therapists, educators, and community providers to support aligned, family-centered care across settings.
Our Clinical Approach
Our ABA services are grounded in the science of behavior while remaining responsive to each child's individuality, communication, sensory needs, and family context. We provide ABA when clinically appropriate — not as a default recommendation for every child.
Every plan is individualized based on assessment findings, family priorities, developmental profile, and clinical fit. Caregiver training and collaboration are central to our model — not supplemental. Goals are selected because they are meaningful in everyday life and support participation, independence, communication, and quality of life.
We do not focus on making children appear less neurodivergent or conform to neurotypical norms. Our practice is rooted in dignity, autonomy, assent, and neurodiversity-affirming values.
What Sets Our Model Apart
Individualized Planning
No standardized treatment packages. Every plan is built around the child and family.
Caregiver-Centered
Caregiver training and collaboration are central — not supplemental — to our model.
Assent-Based Practice
We build trust, offer choices, and respond thoughtfully to each child's communication.
Meaningful Outcomes
Goals are selected because they matter in everyday life, not because they appear on a generic checklist.
Referral Process
Our referral process is designed to be simple, respectful of your time, and focused on finding the best path forward for each family. Providers may submit a referral directly, or families may contact us on their own.
Submit a Referral or Make Contact
Provider submits a secure referral, or the family contacts Ascent directly through our website or by phone.
Referral Review
Ascent reviews the referral information to understand the family's situation, concerns, and clinical context.
Family Contact
Ascent contacts the family to discuss their needs, answer questions, and explore fit.
Documentation Request
If appropriate, next-step documentation is requested based on clinical fit, family priorities, and funding requirements.
Recommendations & Next Steps
Recommendations are made based on clinical fit, family priorities, service availability, and funding requirements.
Helpful Referral Information
The following information helps us better understand the family's situation and ensure we can provide meaningful support from the start. A formal referral is not always required — providers are welcome to contact us with questions before submitting.
Child name and date of birth
Caregiver contact information
Reason for referral
Diagnosis or evaluation results, if available
Current services the child is receiving
Primary concerns and areas of need
Relevant records (sent securely via HIPAA-secure fax)
Urgency or safety considerations, if applicable
Referring provider name and contact information
Preferred method of follow-up communication
Diagnostic Documentation Needed for ABA Authorization
For insurance-funded ABA assessment or therapy authorization, most payers require documentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (F84.0) and medical necessity. When referring a child for ABA services, please include the formal diagnostic evaluation when available.
Who Should Complete the Report
The diagnostic report should be completed by a qualified developmental physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Recognized Diagnostic Tools
The report may need to include assessment using one or more recognized autism diagnostic tools, such as:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2)
Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)
Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition (CARS-2)
What the Report Should Describe
Social communication and social relatedness
Restricted or repetitive behaviors
DSM diagnostic criteria met
Severity level, when applicable
Ascent Developmental Group is required to submit diagnostic and clinical documentation to support medical necessity for ABA assessment and therapy authorization. Missing or incomplete diagnostic documentation may delay the authorization process.
Communication & Collaboration
With caregiver consent, Ascent Developmental Group collaborates actively with referring providers and members of the child's broader care team. We welcome ongoing communication with pediatricians, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, mental health counselors, educators, and other professionals involved in the child's care.
Providers and referral partners may contact us by phone, fax, or email. Our team is available to answer questions about clinical fit, services, or the referral process before a formal referral is submitted.
Contact Information
Phone
(704) 397-3405
HIPAA-Secure Fax
(704) 519-2845
info@ascentdevelopmentalgroup.com
Fax is the preferred method for sending records, reports, or any documentation containing protected health information.
School-Based Observation & Consultation
Ascent Developmental Group may provide school-based observation, consultation, collaboration, or support when clinically appropriate and permitted by the educational setting.
What These Services May Include
Classroom observation
Collaboration with teachers or school teams
Transition planning
Skill generalization support
Caregiver consultation
Recommendations to support participation across educational environments
Important Considerations
School-based services require caregiver consent and may require school or district approval before an outside provider may observe, consult, or provide services on campus.
Coverage may vary by payer and plan. Some school-based services may be covered when medically necessary and authorized; others may be private pay or consultation-based.
Ascent Developmental Group does not replace IEP, 504, or school-provided services. When appropriate and with consent, Ascent Developmental Group collaborates with school teams to support consistency across settings.
Ready to Refer or Connect?
If you are working with a family who may benefit from ABA services or developmental support in the Charlotte region, we would be glad to connect. Our team is available to answer questions, discuss clinical fit, and collaborate in the ways that best serve the families you work with.
Ascent Developmental Group
ABA Services · Caregiver Coaching · Developmental Support
Charlotte, NC
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Please do not send protected health information by standard email. Use the secure inquiry form or HIPAA-secure fax line for documentation containing PHI.
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