Families in Key Largo and the Upper Florida Keys face a challenge that mainland Florida parents rarely have to navigate: to access most behavioral health services, you have to leave the island. For families with children who need daily or near-daily ABA therapy, that drive — often 45 to 90 minutes to Miami-Dade — is not sustainable.
Monroe County has one of the lowest per-capita concentrations of behavioral health providers in Florida. The combination of geographic isolation, a smaller overall population, and limited provider interest in serving island communities creates a significant gap between need and access.
In-home ABA therapy directly addresses this barrier. Rather than requiring families to travel to a clinic, the therapist comes to the child's home in Key Largo or nearby communities in the Upper Keys. Sessions happen in the environment where the child naturally spends their time, which research shows also produces better skill generalization.
For children who have previously been receiving services on the mainland, transitioning to in-home services locally means fewer disruptions to routine, better attendance consistency, and more time that parents can invest in the community rather than the car.
Rising Stars serves families in Key Largo and the surrounding Upper Keys communities. Our BCBA team builds individualized plans and schedules that account for the realities of Keys life — including seasonal changes in family schedules, school calendar differences, and the unique strengths and interests of island communities.
If your child has not yet been evaluated or you are navigating the process for the first time, we are happy to guide you through the steps — from diagnosis documentation to insurance authorization. You should not have to do this alone, and you should not have to drive to the mainland to find good care.