Virtual ABA Therapy for Children with Autism
BCBA-supervised telehealth ABA — no waitlist, Medicaid accepted — serving Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Kansas, and Ohio.
Quick Answers
What is virtual ABA therapy? It's BCBA-supervised Applied Behavior Analysis delivered via secure video — the same evidence-based intervention as in-person, adapted for a screen.
Does it actually work? Research supports telehealth ABA as effective for skill acquisition, parent training, and behavior support, particularly when in-home services aren't available or accessible.
Does insurance cover it? Most major insurers and Medicaid cover telehealth ABA therapy. Achieving Stars Therapy accepts Medicaid in all five states, which covers 100% of costs for eligible families.
How long to start? Once intake is complete, insurance authorization typically takes 1–14 days. No waitlist. Services begin as soon as authorization is received.
Who is it for? Children with a formal ASD diagnosis who need behavior support, communication skills, or parent guidance — and whose families prefer or require a telehealth format.
What Does Virtual ABA Therapy Look Like in Practice?
Virtual ABA therapy uses a secure video platform to connect your child and family with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Sessions are structured, goal-driven, and individualized — not generic check-ins or screen-time for its own sake.
At Achieving Stars, virtual sessions are primarily used for caregiver coaching and parent guidance. A BCBA works with you directly to build the skills you need to support your child between sessions. Think of it less like "therapy on a screen" and more like a weekly consult with someone who actually knows your kid.
Direct behavior support for younger children typically requires in-person contact, which is why Achieving Stars specializes in in-home, play-based ABA therapy as its core model. Virtual delivery is one component — not a replacement.
Virtual ABA vs. In-Home ABA: What's the Difference?
| Factor | Virtual ABA | In-Home ABA |
|---|---|---|
| Direct child therapy | Limited (older kids / select goals) | Yes — 1:1 with RBT |
| Parent/caregiver training | Highly effective | Yes — weekly sessions |
| Natural environment learning | Partial (caregiver guides) | Yes — in your home |
| BCBA oversight | Yes | Yes |
| Medicaid covered | Yes (most plans) | Yes |
| Best suited for | Parent coaching, consultation, older learners | Full ABA programs, early intervention, behavior reduction |
For most families seeking a full ABA program, in-home services are the more appropriate choice. Virtual ABA is a strong fit when geography limits in-home access, or when caregiver training is the primary need.
Who Benefits Most from Virtual ABA Services?
Telehealth ABA isn't a universal fit — but for certain families, it's genuinely the better option. It tends to work well when:
- Your child is older (school-age and up) and can engage via video with structured support
- The primary goal is parent coaching or caregiver skill-building, not direct behavior reduction
- In-home services aren't yet available in your area, and you're waiting for a placement
- You need supplemental BCBA guidance between in-person sessions
- Your child has a dual diagnosis like ASD + ADHD and benefits from flexible formats
Early intervention — especially for children under 5 — typically requires direct, in-person contact to be most effective. Research consistently shows earlier and more intensive intervention leads to better long-term outcomes.
How to Start Virtual ABA Therapy with Achieving Stars
Complete the intake packet. Your child's ASD diagnosis and insurance information kick off the process. The Achieving Stars intake team answers questions before you submit anything.
Insurance authorization. Once submitted, authorization typically arrives within 1–14 days depending on your insurer. Medicaid authorization is often faster.
Initial BCBA assessment. Your assigned BCBA conducts a comprehensive intake assessment — which tools they use depends on your child's age and the behaviors you've described.
Treatment plan review. The BCBA builds an individualized plan and walks you through every goal before anything is submitted to insurance for direct services approval.
Sessions begin. No waitlist. Services start as soon as authorization is in hand.
What Sets Achieving Stars Apart from Other ABA Providers?
Most ABA agencies operate with a waitlist. Achieving Stars is built around the opposite premise — getting started quickly is treated as a structural priority, not a lucky coincidence.
- No waitlist. Once insurance authorizes services, therapy begins immediately.
- Weekly parent guidance. BCBAs aim to meet with caregivers every week or every other week — not quarterly. You're kept fully in the loop and actively coached.
- 100% Medicaid coverage for eligible families. No out-of-pocket cost for qualifying households.
- Session notes on demand. Caregivers can request full access to session notes at any time.
- Clinician-led model. Every treatment plan is shaped by the child's BCBA — not a one-size template.
- Dual diagnosis experience. The team regularly works with children who have ASD alongside ADHD, Down syndrome, and other co-occurring conditions.
For a full comparison of in-home ABA service options, see the Achieving Stars services overview.
Virtual ABA Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions
Is virtual ABA therapy as effective as in-person?
For parent training and caregiver coaching, research supports telehealth as comparably effective. For direct behavior intervention with young children, in-person ABA is generally preferred. The right format depends on your child's age, goals, and current needs.
What does a virtual ABA session look like for a caregiver?
A BCBA joins a secure video call, reviews recent data and behaviors with you, models strategies in real-time, and answers questions. Sessions are structured around your child's current goals — not generic parenting advice.
Does Medicaid cover virtual ABA therapy?
Yes. Medicaid covers ABA therapy — including telehealth — in all five states Achieving Stars serves. Eligible families pay nothing out of pocket. Private insurance coverage varies by plan; the Achieving Stars team confirms coverage before you commit to anything.
Does my child need a formal autism diagnosis to start?
Yes. Insurance authorization for ABA therapy requires a formal ASD diagnosis. If you're still in the diagnostic process, Achieving Stars offers diagnostic services as well — including the ADOS-2 and M-CHAT.
What if we need in-home ABA instead?
Achieving Stars' core model is play-based, in-home ABA therapy. If virtual services aren't the right fit, the same intake process applies — and the same no-waitlist structure.
Does Achieving Stars support bilingual families?
Spanish-language support is available on a case-by-case basis depending on clinician availability. Reach out directly to ask about options in your area.
Start the Conversation
No waitlist. No pressure. Just a quick call to figure out what your child needs and whether Achieving Stars is the right fit.
Call: (833) 666-3115
Email: info@achievingstarstherapy.com
Serving Colorado · New Hampshire · New Jersey · Kansas · Ohio