Frequently asked questions.
The four questions our admissions specialists get most often.
What will a typical day look like?
Our program runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each day is a blend of two structures at once: a structured rotation through disciplines (OT, speech, group, individual therapy) and an individualized schedule built around each child's treatment plan. Continuity comes from the people. Children work with the same clinicians and the same small, consistent groups day after day.
The combination is intentional. It gives children the predictability of familiar faces, the variety of moving through specialized spaces, and the customization of a plan built around their specific goals.
How long will my child be in the program?
Length of stay at NorthStar Day is variable and individualized. There is no fixed timeline; each child stays as long as is clinically appropriate based on their treatment plan and developmental progress. The care plan is reviewed with your family, so you always know where things stand and what would have to be true for the next step. The decision is made by the clinical team together with the family.
Step-down is gradual rather than abrupt: children move from the Day Program to after-school IOP, and from IOP to outpatient care, as they are ready. One of the four dimensions we measure outcomes on is “successful step-down”: children moving on to less-intensive care, school, or mainstream settings when developmentally ready. Families aren't dependent on the program forever; the goal is that they leave with skills, confidence, and sustainable routines.
Do you take my insurance?
We work with most major insurance plans. Call us and we'll verify your benefits the same day. Private pay is also accepted, and we handle prior authorization before your child starts, so you know what's covered going in.
If you want to know where your specific plan stands, ask our admissions specialists.
How is this different from ABA-only programs?
NorthStar Day is integrated and multidisciplinary by design. Adapted CBT and expressive arts sit alongside individual and group and family therapy, OT, speech-language pathology, psychiatry, pediatric nutrition, case management, and educational support. All under one roof, on the same plan, in the same building, on the same day.
Our model is relational and developmental rather than one built on behavioral compliance. The work starts with connection and regulation, and skills are built from there. Families are brought into the work, and the whole picture is treated rather than one diagnosis at a time. If ABA is specifically what your family is looking for, tell our admissions specialists and we'll share referrals to providers in the community.
Our admissions specialists are the fastest way to a real answer.
A 15-minute call covers more than a FAQ page. If you have a specific question about your child or the program, ask.