What is an ABA clinic?

An ABA clinic is a facility that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. These clinics offer structured and nurturing environments where children receive individualized therapy to improve their behavior, communication, and social skills and make lasting progress.

Where can my child receive ABA services?

Our clinics can be found in North Carolina, Nebraska, Georgia, and Oklahoma. We also provide in‑home ABA therapy in these states along with Virginia, Utah, and Indiana, and are continuously expanding.

At what age can my child receive in‑center ABA therapy?

At Above and Beyond ABA clinics, we treat children with autism between the ages of 2 and 18.

What if my child does not respond to the therapy provided?

We work with your child to determine what works best for them. Our goal is to help your child succeed and thrive, so their progress is constantly monitored and adjusted accordingly. If they aren’t responding as expected, we tailor the treatment plan to ensure they feel safe, comfortable, and loved.

How can I make sure that center‑based ABA therapy is not too overwhelming for my child?

We keep group sessions small to ensure that every child feels safe and comfortable – and not overwhelmed. This allows the therapist to focus their attention on each child while still building their social interaction skills.

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We accept Medicaid & most insurances. View list

Email us: info@abtaba.com

How to Start ABA Therapy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

Most families reach out to Above and Beyond Therapy after a recent autism diagnosis, a doctor's recommendation for ABA therapy, or a feeling that their child needs more support. Some are switching providers after a difficult experience or a gap in services.

Wherever you are, you don't need to know exactly what to ask for before you call. Our intake team will walk you through each step and help you decide whether ABA therapy is the right fit for your child.

This guide covers the whole path, from your first phone call to your child's first therapy session: what happens at each step, what to have ready, how long it usually takes, and how insurance and Medicaid fit in.

Gift my child tools for success

At a Glance Module

How to Start ABA Therapy at a Glance

Call our intake team

Share what's going on with your child and ask any questions. There's no obligation.
Send a few documents

Your child's insurance card and the autism diagnostic report.
We verify your insurance

Our team checks your child's benefits and explains any costs or pre-authorization rules.
Your child's BCBA assessment

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst meets your child and learns your family's goals.
Treatment plan and authorization

The BCBA writes a personalized plan and we submit it to your insurance.
Therapy begins

We schedule sessions at home, in a center, or at school, based on the plan.

Speak To Our Intake Team Call (877) 915-9297

Early Intervention (Ages 1–5)

Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, where early identification and intervention can significantly impact long-term outcomes. Our Early Intervention program uses evidence-based, individualized ABA therapy to support young children in developing communication, social, and adaptive skills during this key developmental window.

Individualized, data-driven treatment plans

Focus on communication, social, and adaptive skills

Naturalistic, child-centered learning approach

Get started on early intervention

What to Do After Your Child's Autism Diagnosis

An autism diagnosis can bring relief, uncertainty, and a strong urge to act, often all at once. Starting therapy early is one of the most helpful steps you can take: research shows that starting ABA therapy as early as possible leads to better long-term outcomes in communication, social skills, and everyday independence.

For toddlers and preschoolers, our early intervention ABA program (built for children ages 1 to 5, while key communication and social skills are still forming) is often the place to start.

Get Started on ABA Therapy

Here's what to do next:

Talk with your pediatrician or diagnosing clinician: Ask for a referral to ABA therapy and a copy of the diagnostic report. Still waiting on a diagnosis? Our guide on what a full autism evaluation should look like explains who can evaluate your child, how to prepare, and how to request one.

Compare ABA providers in your area: Look for a team led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) that involves parents in care. Our checklist on how to find the best ABA center for your child covers the staff credentials, therapy approach, and questions to ask on your first call.

Check your insurance coverage: Confirm that your plan covers ABA therapy and whether it needs pre-authorization. Our intake team can do this for you.

Reach out to providers: Ask about availability, service settings (home, center, or school), and how they handle intake.

Stimulate my child’s development

The process of starting ABA therapy is straightforward and designed to ensure your child receives personalized, effective care.

How to Start ABA Therapy at Above and Beyond: Step by Step

Step 1: Call Our Intake Team

Starting ABA therapy begins with a simple phone call. Our intake team will learn about your child's strengths and challenges, the diagnosis, current services, school setting, your location, and what your family hopes to work on. Share as much as you know.

If you're not sure what to ask yet, we'll guide the conversation. It's also a chance to ask about schedules and our ABA therapy services (in-home, center-based, and school-based programs). There's no obligation.

Step 2: Share Your Child's Information and Documents

When you're ready to move forward, we open a file for your child and collect basic details such as name, age, address, school setting, current services, and care needs. You'll receive an email confirmation, an intake packet, and DocuSign forms to complete.

Have these ready:
1. Photos of the front and back of your child's insurance card
2. Your child's insurance ID number
3. A copy of the autism evaluation or diagnostic report (if you don't have it, we may be able to request it from the diagnosing provider)

Step 3: Insurance Verification

Our intake team verifies your child's ABA benefits for you. We accept Medicaid and most major private plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Cigna, and you can check the full list of insurance plans we accept, filtered by state. We'll explain deductibles, co-pays, session limits, and pre-authorization rules before therapy begins, so there are no surprises.

Step 4: Your Child's ABA Assessment

Before therapy starts, a BCBA completes an initial assessment, often in your home or another natural setting. The BCBA will talk with you, observe your child's current skills, and identify where support will help most. The assessment may look at:
1. Behavior, communication, and emotional regulation
2. Daily living skills and routines
3. School readiness or school-related challenges
4. Your concerns, priorities, and goals
5. Medical, developmental, and diagnostic history

For a closer look, read what to expect during an ABA assessment, including the parent interview, how long it takes, and what you can prepare beforehand.

Step 5: Personalized Treatment Plan and Insurance Authorization

Using the assessment results and your input, your child's BCBA writes a personalized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. These can include communication, social skills, behavior support, self-care, school readiness, and independence in daily routines. The plan also recommends a number of therapy hours per week. We then submit the plan to your insurance for authorization.

Step 6: Scheduling and Your Child's First Session

Once the plan is authorized, our scheduling team sets up sessions around your child's recommended hours, your family's availability, and the approved setting. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) works one-on-one with your child under the BCBA's supervision. The first sessions focus on building trust and making your child comfortable, and parents are welcome to join and ask questions.

Start The Intake Process

Who Will Support Your Family During ABA Therapy?

Intake team: Often the first point of contact for families. They answer initial questions, collect basic information, help gather documentation, verify insurance, and schedule the initial assessment.

BCBA: The Board Certified Behavior Analyst is the clinical supervisor who completes the assessment, creates the treatment plan, monitors progress, and provides parent training. Families typically meet with the BCBA regularly throughout care.

RBT: The Registered Behavior Technician is the one-on-one therapist who works directly with your child during therapy sessions under BCBA supervision.

Scheduling coordinator: After onboarding, the scheduling team helps coordinate therapy arrangements, therapist availability, and ongoing session logistics.

Parents are part of the team too. See these ABA parent training goal examples for the kinds of skills caregivers practice with the BCBA so progress carries over at home.

Empower my child with center-based ABA therapy

Why Families Choose Above and Beyond Therapy

BCBA-led care: Every treatment plan is designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with trained RBTs delivering one-on-one sessions.

Plans built around your child: Goals reflect your child's strengths, challenges, and your family's priorities, not a one-size-fits-all program.

Evidence-based methods: Research-backed ABA techniques focused on meaningful, everyday progress.

Flexible settings: In-home, center-based, and school-based ABA where available.

Insurance support: We accept Medicaid and most major insurance plans, and our team handles authorization and billing.

Family collaboration: Parent training and regular communication keep strategies consistent at home, at school, and in therapy.

Progress you can see: Children make measurable progress in communication, social skills, daily living skills, and behavior.

We serve families in Virginia, Utah, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, and Maryland. Find an ABA therapy location near you to see the centers and services in your area.

How Long Does It Take to Start ABA Therapy?

Most families can expect about 2 to 8 weeks from the first call to the first therapy session. The timeline depends mostly on insurance authorization, therapist availability, and your child's needs. A typical timeline:

Week 1: Initial consultation and insurance verification

Weeks 2–3: Comprehensive assessment conducted by a BCBA

Week 4: Treatment plan development and submission for insurance authorization

Weeks 5–6: Insurance review and approval (timelines vary by provider)

Weeks 7–8: Scheduling and therapy start

Plans that require pre-authorization can add time. We keep you updated at every step, and if your child needs services urgently, tell us on the first call so we can look at every option.

How Many Hours of ABA Therapy Will My Child Need?

Your child's BCBA recommends weekly hours based on the assessment, treatment goals, school schedule, and family availability, and adjusts them as your child progresses. Common ranges:

Intensive ABA (26–40 hours per week): Comprehensive support across several skill areas, often used in early intervention or for more significant delays or challenging behaviors.

Focused ABA (10–25 hours per week): Appropriate for children who have made progress in intensive therapy or who need targeted support in specific areas, such as communication or social skills.

Maintenance ABA (5–10 hours per week): Used to maintain skills and prevent regression after a child has achieved their primary therapy goals.

Hours can usually be split across different days and settings, alongside school, speech therapy, or occupational therapy. To see how a typical day is structured, read our guide to the ABA session schedule, which walks through session timing, daily activities, and how progress is tracked.

Let my child soar!

Where Does ABA Therapy Take Place? In-Home, Center-Based, and School-Based

Your child's setting depends on the treatment plan, your location, and availability, and some children combine settings.

Settings Comparison Table

In-home ABA therapy

Learning happens in your child's familiar environment, which can feel less stressful
Parents can join sessions and keep strategies going between them
Daily living skills practiced in your child's real routine
Flexible scheduling around family life

ABA therapy centers

A consistent, structured space designed for learning
Peer interaction and group activities build social skills
Specialized toys, tools, and materials
On-site BCBA supervision and a mix of one-on-one and group work

School-based ABA

Support in the classroom, where many social and academic skills are used
Works alongside teachers and your child's school routine
Focus on school readiness and classroom behavior
Available where the school partners with us

Paying for ABA Therapy: Insurance, Medicaid, and Financial Help

Many insurance plans cover ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. What your family pays depends on your plan, your state, network status, and authorization rules. Coverage usually includes the BCBA assessment, one-on-one therapy sessions with an RBT, parent training, and progress monitoring with plan updates.

For real numbers, our guide on how much ABA therapy costs with insurance breaks down hourly and yearly costs, how deductibles and co-pays apply, and what state mandates require. If your child has Medicaid, see how to find ABA therapy that accepts Medicaid (what Medicaid covers, waitlists, and how to find a participating provider).If insurance doesn't cover everything, start with our overview of financial assistance for families of autistic children, covering government programs, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts, and private grants. Financial assistance options or payment plans may also be available depending on your eligibility.

Start my child’s journey to success!

Cost Resource Cards

More Ways Families Cover the Cost of Autism Care

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting ABA Therapy

How do I enroll in ABA therapy?

Enrolling in ABA therapy begins by contacting Above and Beyond Therapy and speaking with our intake team. During the first call, we will learn more about your child, open a file if your family is ready to move forward, collect basic information, verify your insurance benefits, and explain what documents may be needed. After the intake steps are complete, a BCBA assessment is scheduled, a treatment plan is created, and therapy can begin once authorization and scheduling are in place.

How much does ABA therapy cost with insurance?

The cost of ABA therapy with insurance depends on your child’s specific plan benefits, coverage rules, deductible, co-pays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements. Our intake team will verify your insurance benefits before therapy begins and explain any expected out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance options or payment plans may also be available depending on eligibility and circumstances.

What happens during the first session?

During the first ABA therapy session, your child's therapist will focus on building rapport and creating a positive, comfortable environment. The therapist will introduce activities, observe your child's responses, and begin working on initial goals from the treatment plan. Parents are encouraged to participate and ask questions. The first session is an opportunity for your child to get to know their therapist and for you to see how ABA therapy works in practice.

Do I need a diagnosis to start?

Yes, most insurance plans require a formal autism diagnosis for ABA therapy to be covered. If your child does not have a diagnosis, you'll need to seek an evaluation from a healthcare professional who specializes in autism spectrum disorder, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist. Your primary care doctor or pediatrician can provide referrals for diagnostic testing. For more information, read our article on challenges in autism diagnosis.

How many hours per week will my child need?

The number of therapy hours your child needs depends on their individual assessment, treatment goals, support needs, school schedule, and family availability. Some children may need a more intensive weekly schedule, while others may need focused support in specific areas. Your child’s BCBA will recommend the appropriate number of hours and may adjust the schedule over time as your child makes progress.

Can ABA therapy hours be split across different days or settings?

Yes. Your child’s recommended therapy hours can often be scheduled across multiple days and, when appropriate, across settings such as home, school, or clinic-based care. The exact schedule depends on your child’s treatment plan, clinical recommendations, family availability, therapist availability, and insurance authorization.

Where do ABA therapy services take place?

ABA therapy may take place in the home, in school or community settings, or in one of our clinic-based programs, depending on your child’s needs, location, availability, and treatment plan. In-home therapy allows children to work on skills in their natural environment, while clinic-based services may provide a more structured setting for younger children or children who benefit from a consistent daily routine.

Start ABA Therapy Today

If you are ready to take the next step, or if you are not sure what to ask yet, we are here to help. Starting ABA therapy can feel overwhelming, especially after a recent diagnosis or doctor recommendation, but our intake team will guide you through the process one step at a time.

You can also visit our ABA therapy services page to learn more about how we can support your child.We believe in every child's potential and we're here to help them reach it.

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