Human Connection
Before we teach, we connect. Through authentic relationships, trust, and play, we create the safety that allows children to learn and grow.
The Play Base
What if your child doesn’t need fixing… what if they simply need to be understood?
The Play Base is a team of professional child behavioral therapists in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. We provide a play-based approach to help clients reach their developmental, educational, social, emotional and psychological needs.
BCBA-supervised care
At home & in the community
BCBS, Aetna & private pay
Joyful learning
Evidence-based
Compassionate care
If you’re feeling overwhelmed
- Maybe you just received a diagnosis.
- Maybe someone told you your child needs ABA.
- Maybe you’ve been blamed.
- Maybe you’re exhausted.
- Maybe you’ve spent nights wondering what comes next.
We see you.
Before we talk about therapy…
let’s talk about your child.
What we stand for
Four things we never compromise on
These are the principles behind every session, every plan and every conversation we have with a family.
Evidence Based Care
Every program is grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Play with Purpose
We follow what your child already loves, and build learning into it. Play is the method, not the reward.
Family Empowerment
Parents and caregivers are part of the team. You leave with strategies you can actually use at home.
Successful play based learning
Play is how children make sense of the world
Children are naturally drawn to play. “The impulse to play comes from a natural desire to understand the world” (The NAEYC). So rather than pulling a child away from what they love, we build the learning into it.
Our play-based methodology is grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, and it puts the relationship between child and therapist first. From there we develop an individualized treatment plan for every child.
- Behavior therapy for children with developmental and behavioral needs, with or without a formal diagnosis
- All therapists have a background in behavioral sciences and/or education or early childhood education
- Every therapist is directly supervised and trained by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Therapists are selected individually, based on the needs of each client
What makes us different
Where we start from
What we don’t believe
- We don’t believe children need fixing.
- We don’t believe compliance equals success.
- We don’t believe therapy should feel disconnected.
We believe…
- Understanding comes before intervention.
- Connection creates safety.
- Safety creates learning.
- Play creates growth.
- Families are part of the team.
Who we help
Every child arrives with something different
You do not need a formal diagnosis to start. If you have noticed concerning changes at home or difficulties at school, that is reason enough to call.
Our services
We're here to help
Six ways to work with us across West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, from weekly 1:1 ABA at home to a single conversation that points you in the right direction.
ABA Therapy
Rooted in science, guided by connection: 1:1 support built around your child, at home and in the community.
Learn moreParent Coaching
Strategies and training for caregivers, so progress continues between sessions.
Learn moreBehavior Consultation
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst's read on what's happening, where 1:1 isn't needed.
Learn moreProfessional Development
Training for professionals on behavioral approaches and scientifically proven systems.
Learn moreHow it works
From first call to first session
Say hello
Call, email or send the form. Tell us what's going on. There's no script and no wrong answer.
Exploratory call
You meet a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who listens, asks questions and explains the options. No pressure, no script.
Assessment & plan
We assess your child comprehensively, then build a personalized, play-based program around what they already love.
Play, learn, grow
A matched therapist starts sessions at home or in the community, with data tracked and shared every step.
How we work
No single right approach
We draw on eleven established, evidence-based teaching strategies and choose what suits your child, often blending several within a single program.
Individualized
Built around one child, never a template.
Naturalistic
Skills learned where they'll actually be used.
Data-driven
Progress tracked session by session.
Collaborative
Families, schools and clinicians in one team.
Why Play Base
Why early support matters in Florida
1 in 0Floridian children are identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
0xas many boys are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as girls
0%or less receive appropriate therapy by the time they reach 18
Statistics source: CDC.gov (Florida).
Insurance accepted
Most families here are covered
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, and we welcome private-pay families.
We're committed to making our high-quality ABA therapy services accessible to families in South Florida, and our team will help you navigate your coverage, or your private-pay options, so your child gets the support they need.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- Private Pay
Not listed? Call us. We'll tell you straight away whether we can help.
Fact or fiction?
What people get wrong about ADHD
Five facts worth knowing, whether or not you're currently seeking support.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has been clinically observed since the early 1820s, and it is the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorder in the United States.
ADHD remains under-recognized and underdiagnosed even though it is the most treatable psychiatric disorder in the United States.
Children with ADHD are commonly labeled as problem children, rather than children with a medical problem, a distinction that changes how everyone around them responds.
Scientific studies have shown that ADHD is highly heritable and is a chronic disorder that persists throughout the lifespan.
Children, adolescents and adults with untreated ADHD are at a greater risk for less academic success, mental health and self-esteem issues, substance abuse, and a greater chance of involvement within the justice system.
Our team
The people your child will actually meet
Frances Fishman
Founder & CEO | M.Ed., BCBAFounder and CEO, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, mom of three, and host of The Play Base Podcast.
Susana Castro
Family Welcome & Operations LeadOften a family's first point of contact, and a parent of a neurodivergent child herself.
Danielle Goodman
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)Lives for the “aha!” moment when a child uses a new skill independently.
In the media
Watch on YouTube
Episodes of The Play Base Podcast, hosted by Frances Fishman. Real conversations about helping children thrive.
ABA articles
Straight answers to the questions parents ask us
January 23, 2026
What Are the Signs My Child Needs an Autism Specialist? Red Flags Parents Notice First
If you're here, chances are something has been tugging at your gut. Maybe it's a behavior you can't explain. Maybe your child seems different from…
Read more January 23, 2026Do I Need an Autism Specialist or ABA Therapy? How to Tell What Fits Best
If you're a parent trying to support a child with autism, this question usually comes up fast: do we need an autism specialist, ABA therapy…
Read more January 23, 2026How Much Does an Autism Specialist Cost? Insurance, Medicaid, and Private Pay Explained
If you're a parent trying to budget for autism services, you're not alone. One of the first questions families ask us is simple and stressful…
Read moreOur ultimate goal is to enrich the lives of our families and have each child live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.
The Play Base
Let's find out what your child needs
A friendly, no-pressure conversation with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. We'll listen, answer your questions and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.