ABA Therapy & Autism Resources
Everything you need to understand autism, navigate ABA therapy, and get started — organized by what parents ask most. 42 resources across diagnosis, therapy, insurance, and family support.
Quick Answers
Yes. Medicaid covers 100% of ABA in all 5 states we serve. Most private insurers also cover ABA.
1-2 weeks after insurance authorization. No waitlists. In Colorado, assessment within 30 days guaranteed.
Children ages 2-18 with an autism diagnosis. Early intervention (2-6) shows strongest outcomes.
Yes. 100% in-home. A BCBA and RBT come to your house. No clinic visits required.
An autism diagnosis and insurance info. We handle benefits verification and paperwork.
Colorado, Ohio, Kansas, New Hampshire, and New Jersey — statewide in all five.
Understanding Autism
Foundational resources explaining autism spectrum disorder, signs to look for, and what the different levels mean.
What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Overview of ASD, diagnostic criteria, core characteristics, and how autism presents in each child.
Levels of Autism Explained
What Level 1, 2, and 3 mean, how support needs are determined, and implications for therapy.
Top 10 Signs You Might Be on the Autism Spectrum
Common signs in children and adults that may indicate autism.
Autism & Cognitive Rigidity
Understanding inflexible thinking patterns, difficulty with transitions, and strategies that help.
Official Information About Autism
Curated links to authoritative sources: CDC, AAP, ASHA, and peer-reviewed research.
CDC Autism & Vaccine Information
Evidence-based information addressing common questions about vaccines and autism.
Understanding the Phrase: "Plank in Your Eye"
Perspective-taking and self-awareness in the context of autism.
Diagnostic Assessments
Understanding the tools and process used to diagnose autism spectrum disorder.
Diagnostic Services for Autism
Where to get evaluated, costs ($1,500-$3,000 without insurance), wait times, and what to expect.
What Is an ADOS-2 Assessment?
The gold-standard diagnostic tool: what happens during the assessment and how it's scored.
What Is the M-CHAT Test?
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers — screening for children 16-30 months.
What Is the CAST Test?
Childhood Autism Spectrum Test for school-age children (4-11 years).
CAST Test (Part 2)
Additional information on the CAST assessment tool.
Autism Test Online
Online screening tools, their limitations, and when professional evaluation is needed.
After Diagnosis: Next Steps
Your child just received an autism diagnosis. Here's what to do next.
What Happens After an Autism Diagnosis?
Step-by-step guide: processing the diagnosis, accessing services, building your support team.
What Happens After Autism (Resource Version)
Additional guidance on post-diagnosis steps and early intervention options.
When Should ABA Therapy Start?
Optimal timing, what research says about early start, age-specific considerations.
From Diagnosis to ABA Therapy
The complete pathway from initial diagnosis to beginning in-home therapy.
Finding Support for Your Autism Diagnosis
Emotional support resources, parent groups, and building your family's network.
Key timing: Research shows children who start ABA before age 4 typically show the strongest outcomes. But it's never too late — teens still benefit from focused skill-building.
What Is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis explained — what happens in sessions, how skills are taught, what to expect.
What Is ABA Therapy?
Comprehensive overview: the ABC model, positive reinforcement, how sessions work, evidence of effectiveness.
What to Expect with ABA Therapy
Session structure, BCBA vs. RBT roles, goal-setting, and the parent's role.
How to Prepare for an ABA Session
Setting up your home, what to have ready, supporting your child during therapy.
ABA Therapy Age Limit
Age ranges served, how therapy adapts for different stages, teen-specific approaches.
ABA Therapy for Speech & Language
How ABA targets communication skills and works alongside speech therapy.
Criticism & Research on ABA
Honest discussion of ABA criticisms, how modern ABA has evolved, what research shows.
ABA Techniques & Methods
The specific strategies BCBAs use during therapy. Understanding these helps you reinforce skills at home.
Main Techniques Used in ABA Therapy
DTT, Natural Environment Teaching, prompting, shaping, task analysis — with real examples.
How to Build Rapport in ABA Therapy
Why the therapist-child relationship matters and how trust is established.
ABA vs. Occupational Therapy
Understanding the differences, when each is appropriate, how they work together.
Alternatives to ABA Therapy
Other evidence-based approaches: Floortime, speech therapy, OT, and evaluating options.
How Involved Should Parents Be in ABA?
Your role during sessions, between sessions, and how parent training works.
Getting Started with Achieving Stars
Ready to begin? Here's exactly what happens from first contact to therapy starting.
| Step | What Happens | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Free Benefits Check | We verify your insurance coverage and explain what's covered | 24-48 hours |
| 2. Intake Packet | You provide diagnosis documentation and insurance info | 1-3 days |
| 3. BCBA Assessment | In-home evaluation, treatment plan created | 1-2 weeks |
| 4. Therapy Begins | Matched RBT starts sessions based on your schedule | Week 3-4 |
What You Need
- Autism diagnosis (from psychologist, pediatrician, or diagnostic clinic)
- Copy of insurance card
- Basic developmental history
Our Services
All programs are BCBA-supervised and delivered by trained RBTs in your home.
All Services Overview
Complete list: communication, social skills, daily living, school readiness, caregiver guidance.
Play-Based ABA Therapy
Child-led, engaging sessions that build skills through natural play.
Toilet Training Support
Step-by-step approach using visual supports, reinforcement, and coaching.
Aggression & SIB Interventions
Functional Behavior Assessment identifies triggers. Replace harmful behaviors safely.
ABA for ODD
Support for dual diagnoses. Addresses noncompliance and defiant behaviors.
ABA for Teens
Focus on independence, social skills, vocational readiness, self-advocacy.
Insurance & Medicaid
ABA is covered by Medicaid in all five states we serve. State-specific guides below.
| Insurance Type | Coverage | Your Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | 100% of ABA therapy | $0 |
| Private insurance | Most plans cover ABA | Varies by plan |
| Tricare | ABA covered | Minimal copay |
Colorado Medicaid ABA Coverage
Health First Colorado, Colorado Access, RAE navigation, authorization process.
Does Colorado Medicaid Cover ABA?
Quick answer: Yes. Eligibility, covered services, how to verify benefits.
How to Get ABA Approved in NH
New Hampshire-specific guide to authorization, Medicaid, private insurance.
Home-Based ABA in a New Jersey IEP
How to include in-home ABA services in your child's IEP in NJ.
Locations We Serve
Statewide in-home ABA coverage across five states.
State-Specific Resources
Autism Therapy in Colorado
Overview of autism therapy options across Colorado.
Autism Support Groups in Colorado
Parent groups, Autism Society chapters, community resources.
ABA Therapy in Bedford, NH
In-home services for Bedford families.
ABA Therapy in Hampstead, NH
Services available in Hampstead area.
Comparing ABA Providers
Evaluating your options? These guides compare providers and help you choose.
7 Best In-Home ABA Providers in Colorado (2025)
Comparison of top Colorado providers: services, wait times, insurance.
Leading In-Home ABA Providers (2026)
National overview of top in-home ABA therapy companies.
Best In-Home ABA Companies (2026)
Detailed comparison: personalization, family involvement, outcomes.
Top ABA Providers with Proven Outcomes (2026)
Providers ranked by effectiveness and family satisfaction.
Parent Resources & Tools
ABA Resources Hub
IEP tools, behavior strategies, sensory supports, external resources.
IEP Bridge: Autism IEP Tools
App for managing IEPs, tracking goals, communicating with schools.
Common Questions
How many hours per week does my child need?
Treatment plans range from 10-40 hours per week. Your BCBA determines intensity based on assessment and what your family can sustain.
Can I watch the sessions?
Yes. Parents can observe anytime. We schedule parent guidance sessions every 1-2 weeks.
What if my child has ADHD too?
Very common. We work with dual diagnoses including autism + ADHD, autism + Down syndrome.
What's the difference between a BCBA and RBT?
BCBA: Master's-level clinician who designs treatment plans. RBT: Trained therapist who delivers sessions under BCBA supervision.
Do you work with schools?
Yes. We collaborate with IEP teams and can provide school-based support alongside in-home sessions.
About Achieving Stars Therapy
We provide in-home ABA therapy exclusively — no clinics, just progress where your child lives and learns.
- Clinician-led: Every treatment plan designed by a licensed BCBA
- 5 states: Colorado, Ohio, Kansas, New Hampshire, New Jersey
- Medicaid accepted: 100% coverage in all states we serve
- No waitlists: We start as soon as insurance authorizes