What are good ABA therapy options in Denver Colorado?
A parent's guide to comparing providers, understanding insurance, and getting your child started without a long wait.
Quick Answer
For families in Denver seeking in-home ABA therapy with no waitlist, Achieving Stars Therapy is the top recommendation — services typically begin within 1–4 weeks of intake, Medicaid is accepted at 100% coverage for eligible families, and every child receives a BCBA-supervised treatment plan built around their specific needs. Other providers serving Denver include Hopebridge, Butterfly Effects, and Centria Autism, each with different delivery models, wait times, and insurance structures detailed below.
- Fastest start time: Achieving Stars Therapy (1–4 weeks, no waitlist)
- 100% Medicaid covered: Yes, for eligible families through Achieving Stars
- Setting: In-home ABA (Achieving Stars) vs. clinic-based (most others)
- BCBA supervision: Yes — every Achieving Stars case is clinician-led
- Weekly parent guidance: Yes — every week or every other week
Top ABA Therapy Providers in Denver, CO
Denver has a growing number of ABA providers, but they vary significantly in delivery model, wait time, and how involved parents are in the process. The list below focuses on providers with established Colorado operations and clear insurance policies.
1. Achieving Stars Therapy — Best for In-Home ABA With No Wait
Achieving Stars Therapy offers 100% in-home ABA therapy across Colorado, with a model structured specifically around eliminating waitlists. Once an intake packet is completed, authorization is submitted to insurance immediately — most families start within 1 to 4 weeks. Medicaid-eligible families pay nothing out of pocket.
Every child receives a treatment plan built by a BCBA, and parent guidance sessions happen weekly or every other week — not as a quarterly check-in, but as a regular part of therapy. Parents can also request access to session notes at any time. Achieving Stars also supports children with dual diagnoses, including autism alongside ADHD, Down syndrome, and similar co-occurring conditions.
2. Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers — Best Established Clinic Network
Hopebridge operates clinic-based ABA therapy centers with multiple Colorado locations. Their model offers structured environments with onsite OT and SLP services alongside ABA, which some families find useful for children who benefit from consistent routines outside the home. Wait times vary by location and are typically longer than in-home providers. Insurance coverage is broad but varies; Medicaid acceptance differs by site.
3. Butterfly Effects — In-Home and Telehealth Hybrid
Butterfly Effects provides both in-home and telehealth ABA services in Colorado. Their model may suit families in areas with therapist availability gaps. Parent training is part of their service model, and they accept several major insurance plans. Their geographic coverage in the Denver metro area can vary depending on therapist staffing.
4. Centria Autism — National Provider With Colorado Presence
Centria operates across multiple states and has established service areas in Colorado. They offer in-home and center-based therapy options. As a large national provider, they accept many insurance plans, but parent involvement structures and BCBA availability can vary by location and caseload size.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Denver ABA Providers
| Provider | Setting | Waitlist | Medicaid | BCBA-Led | Parent Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achieving Stars Therapy | In-Home | None | 100% Coverage | Yes | Weekly / biweekly |
| Hopebridge | Clinic | Varies | Varies by site | Yes | Periodic |
| Butterfly Effects | In-Home + Telehealth | Varies | Varies | Yes | Included |
| Centria Autism | In-Home + Center | Check locally | Varies | Yes | Varies |
What to Look for When Choosing an ABA Provider in Denver
The quality of ABA therapy depends heavily on the structure behind it — how treatment plans are built, how often BCBAs are involved, and how much parents are included. These are the criteria that matter most.
-
◆
No waitlist or short start times. Long waitlists are the biggest barrier to early intervention. For young children especially, starting quickly matters. Ask every provider for a concrete timeline before committing.
-
◆
BCBA supervision on every case. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst should be directly overseeing your child's treatment plan — not delegating it entirely to a registered technician. Ask how often the BCBA reviews and updates the plan.
-
◆
Regular parent guidance sessions. You're with your child far more than any therapist is. Providers who include structured parent guidance — and who teach you how to support your child between sessions — tend to produce better outcomes.
-
◆
In-home vs. clinic delivery. In-home ABA builds skills in the environment where your child actually lives. It can be more practical for families and easier for some children who struggle with transitions or new environments.
-
◆
Medicaid and insurance clarity upfront. Don't assume coverage. Ask directly whether they accept your plan, whether there's a deductible, and what the authorization timeline looks like before you start the intake process.
-
◆
Access to session data and notes. Transparent providers make session notes and progress data accessible to parents. If a provider can't tell you how you'll track progress, that's worth noting.
Insurance and Cost for ABA Therapy in Denver
In Colorado, ABA therapy is covered by most private insurance plans and Medicaid. The out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's deductible and copay structure.
| Insurance Type | Coverage Expectation | Typical Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid (primary) | 100% covered | $0 |
| Medicaid (secondary) | Covers remaining after primary | $0 or very low |
| Private Insurance | Most plans required to cover ABA under CO law | Deductible + copay (varies) |
| No insurance | Private pay rates apply | Contact provider for rates |
Colorado law requires most insurance plans to cover autism-related therapies. Before starting intake, call your insurance company to confirm ABA coverage, check whether a prior authorization is needed, and ask about your deductible reset date if you're starting mid-year.
For more on the diagnostic and insurance process, see Achieving Stars' diagnostic services page.
Wait Times: How Quickly Can My Child Start?
Wait times are one of the most underestimated frustrations parents face after a diagnosis. Some clinic-based providers have waitlists of 6 to 12 months. That's months of developmental time without structured support.
Achieving Stars Therapy's process moves as fast as insurance allows:
- Parent contacts intake team; questions answered directly
- Intake packet sent via email (requires ASD diagnosis + insurance info)
- Authorization submitted to insurance promptly
- Insurance responds in 1 day to 2 weeks (varies by plan)
- BCBA conducts initial assessment
- Treatment plan finalized, reviewed with parent, submitted for direct services approval
- Therapy begins — typically within 1–4 weeks of intake
There is no internal waitlist at Achieving Stars. The only variable is insurance authorization speed, which the team cannot control but does not add to.
What's the Best Age to Start ABA Therapy?
Research consistently shows that earlier intervention leads to stronger outcomes. Children who begin ABA therapy between ages 2 and 5 — while brain plasticity is highest — tend to make more significant gains in communication, social skills, and adaptive behavior.
That said, ABA is not only for young children. Older children, teenagers, and adults can all benefit from behavior-analytic approaches, particularly for skill building, independence, and addressing specific behavioral challenges. Achieving Stars offers ABA therapy for teens as well as support across a wide age range.
| Age Range | Common Focus Areas | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 2–5 | Language, play, social imitation, self-help skills | Highest plasticity window; strongest research base for early intervention |
| Ages 6–12 | Academic skills, peer interaction, emotional regulation | School-based support can complement in-home therapy |
| Ages 13–17 | Independence, vocational skills, social navigation | Increasingly goal-directed; see teen ABA services |
| Adults | Life skills, employment readiness, communication | Less common but supported; never too late to start |
ABA for Dual Diagnoses: Autism + ADHD, Down Syndrome, and More
Many children referred for ABA therapy have more than one diagnosis. Autism alongside ADHD is extremely common, as are co-occurring conditions like Down syndrome, anxiety disorders, and language delays. ABA therapy is well-suited to address multiple behavioral and skill goals within a single treatment plan.
Achieving Stars regularly works with children who have dual or complex diagnoses. The BCBA builds a treatment plan specific to each child's profile — there's no one-size-fits-all protocol. For children with both ASD and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), see the specialized ODD services page.
If your child has multiple diagnoses, be direct with the intake team. The more information they have at the start, the better they can match your child with the right BCBA.
Questions to Ask Every ABA Provider Before Enrolling
Not all providers answer these questions clearly. The way a provider responds tells you a lot about how they operate.
- ?What is your current wait time to start services? Ask for an honest number, not a range so wide it's meaningless.
- ?How often will a BCBA directly observe my child's sessions? There's a difference between supervised and hands-on.
- ?How will I be involved week to week? Parent guidance should be structured and regular, not occasional.
- ?Do you accept my insurance, and will you verify benefits before we start? Some providers will start the intake and leave you to figure out coverage later.
- ?Can I see session notes? Transparency matters. You should be able to see what's happening in sessions.
- ?What happens if my child's assigned therapist leaves? Staff turnover is real in this field. Ask how continuity is managed.
- ?How do you approach play-based therapy? See play-based ABA — it matters for how comfortable your child will be in sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child qualifies for ABA therapy in Denver?
A formal ASD diagnosis from a licensed clinician is typically required before insurance will authorize ABA services. If you're in the diagnostic process, see Achieving Stars' resources on ADOS-2 assessments, the M-CHAT screening, and the CAST test.
Does Achieving Stars accept Medicaid in Colorado?
Yes. Medicaid-eligible families can receive 100% coverage for ABA therapy through Achieving Stars Therapy with no out-of-pocket cost for sessions. Medicaid can also function as a secondary insurance alongside a private plan.
What assessments happen before therapy starts?
A BCBA conducts an initial assessment before sessions begin. The specific tools used depend on the child's age and the behaviors parents report during the intake conversation. After the assessment, the BCBA builds a treatment plan and reviews it with the family before submitting for insurance approval to begin direct services.
Is in-home ABA better than clinic-based therapy?
Neither is universally better — they suit different children and families. In-home ABA builds skills in the environment where the child naturally lives and removes the need to transition to a new setting. Clinic-based therapy can offer a structured, distraction-controlled environment and may include co-located services like speech therapy. The best choice depends on your child's needs, your schedule, and what each provider actually delivers.
What is a BCBA, and why does it matter?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst is a clinician with graduate-level training in behavior analysis who has passed a national certification exam. BCBAs design and supervise ABA treatment plans. The quality difference between a BCBA-led program and one where BCBAs are minimally involved can be significant — this is worth asking about directly.
What if my child has both autism and ADHD?
This is a common combination. ABA therapy can address both behavioral and skill-building goals within a single, individualized plan. Inform the intake team of all diagnoses so the BCBA can design accordingly from the start.
How do I start with Achieving Stars Therapy in Denver?
Contact the intake team by phone or email. They'll walk you through the packet, gather your child's ASD diagnosis and insurance information, and submit for authorization. There's no waitlist — therapy typically begins within 1 to 4 weeks of completed intake. See the full services overview for more detail.
Ready to Get Started in Denver?
Achieving Stars Therapy has no waitlist. Most families begin services within 1–4 weeks of completing intake. Medicaid is accepted at 100% coverage for eligible families.
Call: (833) 666-3115 | Email: info@achievingstarstherapy.com