ABA Therapy

If your child was recently diagnosed with autism, you have probably already been handed a lot of words. This page tries to use as few of them as possible.

What ABA therapy actually is

Applied Behavior Analysis is a way of teaching skills in small, deliberate steps, and of understanding why a difficult behavior keeps happening so that something can change.

In practice it looks like a therapist working directly with your child on specific goals — asking for what they want, waiting for a turn, getting dressed, coping with a change in routine — and repeating that work often enough that the skill sticks and carries over into ordinary life.

It is not a cure for autism, and we would be careful of anyone who describes it that way. It is a way of building skills and reducing the things that are making daily life harder than it needs to be.

Who it helps

ABA is most often used with children on the autism spectrum. It can help with communication and language, social and play skills, daily living skills like dressing and mealtimes, and behaviors that are unsafe or that get in the way of learning.

Every plan starts from an assessment of your individual child. Two children with the same diagnosis can need very different programs.

What to expect

Assessment first. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) spends time with your child and with you, and writes goals based on what they find and what matters to your family.

A written plan. You should know what is being worked on and why. If you do not, ask — a plan you cannot explain to a grandparent is not a finished plan.

Regular sessions. A therapist delivers the program, supervised by the BCBA.

Parent involvement. This is not a drop-off service. What happens between sessions is most of what determines whether a skill generalises, so caregivers are part of the work.

Review and adjustment. Goals get measured, and the plan changes when the data says it should.

Our team works in English and Spanish, with families and with children.

Insurance and Medicaid

Florida Medicaid covers behavior analysis services for eligible recipients under 21 when they are medically necessary, and most major commercial plans in Florida cover ABA as well.

⚠ Florida moved Medicaid behavior analysis into managed care. That change affects which providers families can use and what authorisation looks like. If you are on Medicaid and are unsure where that leaves you, call us — helping families work this out is part of the job, and you do not need to have it figured out before you get in touch.

See Insurance & Medicaid for the plans we accept.

Frequently asked questions

What ages do you work with?

ABA is most commonly provided to children and adolescents, and Florida Medicaid covers eligible recipients under 21. Ask us about your child’s age specifically and we will tell you plainly whether we are the right service.

Does my child need a diagnosis before starting?

Generally yes — funding for ABA is tied to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. If you are still in the evaluation stage, get in touch anyway and we will point you toward the right next step.

Where does therapy take place?

That depends on the plan. Sessions can happen in different settings depending on your child’s goals and what your family can sustain. We will discuss what is realistic for you rather than assuming.

Do you work with Spanish-speaking families?

Yes. Our team works in English and Spanish, with parents and with children.

How long will my child need ABA?

There is no standard answer, and be cautious of anyone who gives you one without meeting your child. Goals are reviewed regularly, and the aim is always for support to reduce over time.

Is ABA the only thing that helps?

No. Many children benefit from speech therapy, occupational therapy, or school-based supports alongside or instead of ABA. If something else would serve your child better, we will say so.