Admissions Requirements

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We offer outpatient pediatric ABA therapeutic services to children and adolescents ages 2.5 to 21. 

We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare insurance companies, and accept only PPO plans.  

We require a formal diagnosis of Autism with presenting level from a licensed medical doctor, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, or other doctorate-level provider specializing in the evaluation and diagnosis of DSM-5 developmental, learning, and behavior disorders specific to children and adolescents. In keeping with our commitment to high professional standards, our clinic does not conduct diagnostic evaluations; however, we are happy to provide referrals upon request.

We require caregivers to rule out medical causes of symptoms before starting ABA therapy services. This ensures that behaviors are not the result of physical pain or an underlying, treatable genetic or neurological disorder, thereby ensuring your child receives the correct therapeutic care.*Developmental pediatricians and pediatric neurologists play a key role in identifying conditions that can mimic ASD symptoms, or co-occur with ASD, such as, but not limited to: 

• Hearing Impairments: A child might not respond to their name, not due to social deficits, but because they cannot hear properly.
• Seizure Disorders: These can cause "staring spells" or regression in skills, often masked by autism.
• Genetic Syndromes: Conditions like Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, or Tuberous Sclerosis, which can cause both physical symptoms and developmental delays.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Chronic constipation, reflux, or food intolerances can cause pain that manifests as irritability, headbanging, or outbursts.
• Metabolic Disorders: Rare disorders that affect energy production, often appearing with fatigue or developmental regression.
• Immune System/Allergic Disorders: Persistent, unrecognized food allergies or inflammation can mimic or worsen autistic behaviors.
• Vitamin Deficiencies: Such as low iron or Vitamin D deficiency, which are common in children with strict food preferences. 

We require a family interview with one of our BCBA practitioners before being accepted into our program. Interviews conducted at our clinic are 100% free of charge. During the interview process, a BCBA practitioner will provide the family with a tour of our clinic, followed by a meeting to review and discuss all relevant patient history. Typically, this includes all medical and behavioral health history, school and outside services, family concerns and goals for the future, consent and assent, and our clinical requirements for caregiver involvement. Interviews are highly valued at our practice, as they allow us to get to know one another and determine if our program meets your family’s needs. If we do not, we will work to help find a provider better suited to your family. 

Once accepted into our program, we assist our families with the entire intake process before ABA therapy ever begins. Typically, this includes verifying insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs, requesting treatment preauthorization, establishing interprofessional collaboration with other providers, establishing community supports available outside our practice, and coordinating treatment schedules. Some families also request concierge services during this time, which are available as needed.  

*Providers and organizations linked above are intended to be informational and do not constitute or imply endorsement.