What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and improving behavior. ABA uses evidence-based techniques to teach new skills, promote positive behaviors, and reduce behaviors that interfere with daily life. It is often used to support individuals with autism and other developmental disorders in achieving meaningful and measurable goals.

Who works with my family? What does our treatment team look like?

Your treatment team typically includes:
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): The clinical lead who assesses, designs, and oversees your individualized treatment plan. This person is licensed, certified, and has a Masters Degree in ABA or a related field. The BCBA also provides parent training, caregiver support, and typically collaborates with your child’s other service providers to ensure a well-rounded approach.
• Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs): RBTs are trained & certified team members who implement the treatment plan during daily sessions under the BCBA's supervision. Prior to becoming “Registered”, these team members are also know as Behavior Technicians (BT). They also collaborate with the BCBA with any parent concerns, new behavior, needed skills, or ongoing assessments.
• Caregiver Collaboration: Caregivers (YOU!) are considered essential members of the team and are included in training and decision-making to ensure the best outcomes. Parent participation in an ABA program is vital. Your clinical team with work with you to establish weekly meetings for education, support, as well as ongoing treatment planning and collaboration

What is the process for enrolling in services?

1. Intake Coordination: Chat with our clinical and intake teams to determine if our services are a good fit for your family, review clinical criteria for onboarding, discuss insurance services and confirm networking, and gather needed documentation for the Initial Assessment. This may be conducted over several contacts between the parent and agency.
2. Initial Assessment: The BCBA conducts a thorough assessment, which may include caregiver interviews, direct observations, and skill evaluations to create an individualized treatment plan. This is typically conducted in a hybrid model (both in person and virtually) or fully in person at your home. At this stage, the clinician will make their recommendation for Medically Necessary Hours and discuss availability.
3. Insurance Approval: The BCBA will then create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes treatment goals, target behaviors of concern, new skills, and parent training outcomes. This plan will be submitted to your insurance payor for authorization including the Medically Necessary Hours prescribed by the BCBA. This process is typically the longest part of enrollment and can take up to 4-6 weeks depending on the insurance payor.
4. Onboarding: While awaiting approval from your payor, our scheduling team identifies RBT(s) that align with your family’s availability and clinical needs. Once approval has been returned from your insurance payor, you’ll be introduced to your treatment team, provided a weekly schedule, and begin services.

How many hours per week will I need?

The number of weekly hours depends on the individual's unique needs and goals, which are determined during the assessment. The Center for Autism Service Providers (CASP) provides guidelines for 2 treatment models:
• Focused Services: 10-15 hours per week for specific goals. A refers to treatment, provided directly to the patient, to improve or maintain behaviors in a limited number of domains or skill areas. Access to focused intervention should not be restricted by age, cognitive level, diagnosis, or co-occurring conditions.
• Comprehensive Services: 20-40 hours per week for more intensive needs. Comprehensive ABA refers to treatment provided directly to the patient to improve or maintain behaviors in many skill areas across multiple domains (e.g., cognitive, communicative, social, behavioral, adaptive). Treatment often emphasizes establishing new skills but may also focus on reducing challenging behaviors, such as elopement, and stereotypy, among others. Access to comprehensive ABA should not be restricted by age, cognitive level, diagnosis, or co-occurring conditions.
The BCBA will recommend the appropriate level of service during your assessment.

At Uwharrie ABA, we believe every family deserves access to high-quality care, even if full clinical recommendations aren’t always feasible. If your family isn’t able to commit to the full prescribed hours, we will collaborate with you to design a treatment plan that balances your availability with your child’s needs. While we prioritize consistency in service delivery—since full clinical recommendation adherence is ideal for achieving the best clinical outcomes—we also recognize the importance of flexibility to meet families where they are. That said, we strive to maintain a level of service that upholds clinical integrity and effectiveness. The primary goal is to ensure that the level of service remains sufficient to support meaningful progress and continued positive outcomes.

Can you work in schools? Daycares? Community?

ABA services can be provided in a variety of settings, including:
• In-Home: Providing therapy in the comfort of your home, focusing on skills like daily living, routines, and family interactions in a familiar setting. This is the primary service setting for Uwharrie ABA. We believe operating in the child’s natural environment produces the greatest outcomes over time and offers the highest engagement between the treatment team and the caregiver(s).
• Schools: Collaborating with educators to support academic and behavioral goals. BCBAs are able to attend IEP meetings, provide support to educators, observe in the classroom, and generally engage with the child’s school team as clinically needed. At this time, ABA direct services are not allowed within the local school districts.
• Daycares: Addressing developmental milestones and socialization. The treatment team is able to provide services within daycares with explicit permission from the daycare facility. The BCBA and parent should collaborate with the daycare team to determine best-fit for service delivery so integration of services is seamless and effective.
• Community: Teaching skills like navigating public spaces or participating in group activities. Whenever applicable, the BCBA and caregiver may determine community outings (i.e. going out to eat, birthday shopping, a play date) or consistent community participation (i.e. Boy Scouts, soccer team, weekly grocery shopping) is appropriate within service hours.
The location depends on the goals in the treatment plan and what’s most beneficial for the individual.

What age range do you enroll for services?

ABA services are typically provided for individuals of all ages, from toddlers to adults. The specific age range for enrollment may vary based on provider availability, as some providers have specialty areas such as Early Intervention or Teens. Uwharrie ABA provides life-long services, although most ABA services are insurance-funded to age 21.

What can I do if my child or I fall outside of the service age or if insurance isn't approved?

At Uwharrie ABA, we are committed to supporting every family, even when traditional ABA services may not be accessible. Here are some options if you or your child fall outside our typical service age range or face insurance challenges:

If You Fall Outside the Service Age Range:

1. Consultation Services:
We can offer one-time or ongoing consultations to provide tailored guidance, strategies, and resources for addressing behavioral or developmental concerns.
2. Parent and Caregiver Training:
Even if direct services aren't available, we provide training to help you implement effective strategies and techniques at home.
3. Referral Support:
If our services aren't the best fit, we can connect you with other providers or community resources tailored to your needs.

If Insurance Isn't Approved or Accepted:

1. Out-of-Pocket Payment Options:
We offer flexible payment plans or service packages to make ABA services more affordable for families without insurance coverage.
2. Grant and Funding Assistance:
Our team can help you explore local or national grants, scholarships, and funding programs that may cover ABA services.
3. Alternative Resources:
o Workshops and Group Sessions: Join caregiver workshops or group programs we offer to build skills in managing challenging behavior or enhancing communication.
o Online Resources: Access free or low-cost online tools and educational materials for additional support. Our Resources pages is consistently updated with new information and resources for parents.
Our goal is to ensure every family feels empowered, whether they are eligible for our services or need help finding other options. Reach out to us, and we’ll do our best to guide you toward the right solution.