top of page
Getting Started
Referral
Insurance Eligibility
Intake Meeting
Preauthorization
Start Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child have to have an autism diagnosis to receive services?
Absolutely not! ABA therapy can be extremely beneficial for individuals with various developmental disabilities as well as for individuals without disabilities. For instance, we often provide services to address issues such as challenging behaviors, toilet training, food selectivity, sleep problems, among many others for a wide variety of clients. Despite this, it is important to understand that insurance companies are only mandated to cover these services for those with an autism diagnosis. We hope this will change with time, but it is a work in progress. Feel free to contact us if you would like more information about the cost of these services if paying privately - we will do our best to work with you, as we love going above and beyond helping those diagnosed with autism!
How do I get an autism diagnosis?
If you would like to have your child evaluated for autism, we are happy to connect you with professionals that provide these diagnostic services. This is a necessary step to take if you are hoping to use your insurance plan to cover ABA services, as your insurance company will likely ask to see a diagnostic report confirming an autism diagnosis from a qualified medical professional (vs. an educational classification or self diagnosis) before authorizing ABA services. We strongly recommend seeking medical professionals that conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments using a variety of tools (vs. one interview and/or observation).
What if my insurance does not cover ABA therapy?
Unfortunately, there are still a number of plans that do not cover ABA services even with an autism diagnosis. For instance, companies that provide self-funded plans are not bound by the state mandate. In other words, they may pay for these services but they are not required to do so. If you have one of these plans, we are happy to connect you with advocates through Autism Speaks that assist in educating companies about the importance of this coverage. In the short-run, you may also consider purchasing an individual plan that covers ABA or seeking less intensive, private pay options. Please don't let this keep you from calling us and understanding your options!
What is a BCBA/BCaBA/RBT?
A BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a BCaBA is a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst, and a RBT is a Registered Behavior Technician. These are the three certification types that you can have as a provider of ABA services. BCBAs are those with the highest level of certification. They are typically responsible for conducting assessments, writing plans, training parents/staff, and monitoring progress. BCaBAs also take on many of these same responsibilities, but always under the supervision of a BCBA. Finally, RBTs are trained and supervised to work directly with clients by either a BCBA or BCaBA. All three of these certifications have particular requirements such as experience & supervision hours, coursework/degrees, and testing & ongoing training that are monitored by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). Depending on the type of ABA service model that you use, you may or may not contact BCaBAs or RBTs but your team should always be composed of at least one BCBA. Finally, it is crucial to understand that certification does not guarantee a high quality of ABA services, as this is only the minimum requirement to practice ABA. If you would like to know more about how to choose the best provider for your family, don't hesitate to contact us. We would love to help!
bottom of page