Get Started
It’s important to know the steps on how to get ABA services. Below is a guide with some helpful information.
Receive eligibility for ABA services for your child by visiting any of the following: neurologist/developmental pediatrician/psychiatrist so the correct diagnosis can be given. The Autism Mandate dictates that a health insurance plan issued or renewed on or after April 1, 2009 must provide coverage to an eligible individual for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. There are exceptions to this mandate in Florida which requires looking at the individual plan for coverage and eligibility.
Once you have received an Autism Diagnosis you then locate a provider in your area that carries your insurance.
Set up an Initial Evaluation with the provider to determine if ABA services is recommended
The BCBA will then walk you through step by step the process of starting services (Example: Requesting authorization for hours, finding therapists, creating individualized programs catered to your child, etc.)
We work with most insurances
Behavioral Strides offers a variety of options in order to cover ABA services. Read below and feel free to contact us to further discuss your best options.
ABA therapy is now covered by many insurance companies. Call your insurance provider to verify benefits regarding ABA services. Below are accepted insurance we take.
If you are not able to pay for ABA services through your insurance, paying privately is always an option.
Grants can be used when paying for ABA services if you are eligible to receive grants. This is a great way to offset costs of copays/deductibles that insurance may not cover.
Depending on different variables (i.e. income, location, etc) you may be eligible for ABA coverage through medicaid funding. Check with your county medicaid office to see your eligibility.
Different countries offer different programs to help families cover costs of ABA services. Make sure to check whether these resources are available to you!
ABA Therapy
The ABA services are offered at home, school and the community (e.g. visit the store to improve behavior in public places). The ABA therapy uses Discrete Trial Training (DTT) where the complex skills are divided into teachable steps to facilitate the learning process. In addition, the Natural Environmental Teaching (NET) is implemented to develop new skills in naturally occurring events (e.g. the child learns to brush his/her teeth after every meal). This therapy has had successful results to develop language in non-verbal children, improve academic performance, increase daily living skills (potty training, etc.) and acquire social skills (communication with others, playing with peers, etc.).
Assessments
The assessment sessions include an interview, direct observation and direct testing. The skill level is evaluated with the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP), which involves the analysis of varied developmental skills such as communication, social behavior, visual perceptual skills, classroom and group skills, ability to follow instructions, etc. The Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) allows the identification of problem behaviors and the functions they are serving.
School Shadowing
Another important space in the child’s life is the school. The ABA therapist will function as a facilitator in the classroom to develop the student’s group skills (following group instructions, responding to the teacher’s directions, completing classroom routines, participate in group activities, interacting with other children, etc.). The school-shadowing program also helps to promote the student’s independence with the school carpool (drop off and pick up), to improve the student’s academic performance (raising the hand, answering questions, learning age-appropriate contents, etc.) and to increase his/her attention in the classroom (staying on task and decreasing the number of re-directions to work independently)