What the Process Looks Like

---

The process begins when you contact our clinic for ABA therapy. We will answer any initial questions you may have, collect some basic information, and guide you through the intake paperwork. As part of the Initial Assessment, we also verify your insurance coverage for ABA services and explain any out-of-pocket costs, if applicable.

Once the paperwork is completed and insurance approval is confirmed, we will schedule an Initial Assessment at our clinic as part of the ABA therapy process. During this session: 

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will meet with you and your child. Your child will be observed during natural play and structured activities to assess skills in communication, behavior, social interaction, and daily living. The BCBA will also gather detailed information about your goals and concerns to help shape a meaningful and functional treatment plan. 

This relaxed session typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours and is designed to be engaging and comfortable for your child.

Following the Initial Assessment, the BCBA develops a customized ABA therapy treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique needs. This plan encompasses: 

- Measurable goals in essential areas such as communication, adaptive behavior, and social skills 

- Behavior reduction strategies if necessary 

- Recommended weekly therapy hours and suitable environments (clinic, home, community) 

- A plan for parent training and involvement 

Before services can commence, the plan is submitted to your insurance provider for review and approval.

Once the plan is approved following the Initial Assessment, we will: Pair your child with a dedicated Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to provide effective ABA therapy, create a consistent therapy schedule based on your family’s availability, and assign a BCBA supervisor to monitor progress and update goals regularly, ensuring everything aligns with your insurance approval.

Your child will begin 1:1 ABA therapy, which is focused on learning through play, routine, and reinforcement. During these sessions, RBTs work on skill-building while tracking progress through data collection. This process follows an initial assessment to tailor the therapy to your child's needs. All sessions are closely supervised by your BCBA, who meets regularly with the RBT and your family to ensure quality, consistency, and facilitate insurance approval.

At Bright Tides ABA, we believe that parent involvement is essential in the success of ABA therapy. Throughout your child’s therapy journey, we offer ongoing parent training to help you: Understand the principles of ABA, Learn strategies to manage challenging behaviors, Support skill development at home and in the community, and Build confidence in advocating for your child. Our initial assessment will guide these trainings, which may occur during scheduled parent sessions, check-ins with your BCBA, or in natural settings to support real-life application. Additionally, we assist with insurance approval to ensure you have access to the resources needed. Our goal is to empower you with the tools and knowledge necessary to help your child succeed beyond our sessions.