Our Services
ABA Assessment
Every BrightBridge program starts with an assessment. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) gets to know your child and your family, and uses what they learn to write a treatment plan built around your goals.
What to have ready
Before the assessment, three things usually need to be in place:
- An autism diagnosis. Most insurance plans require an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis from a qualified provider before they cover ABA. Keep a copy of the diagnostic report.
- A referral, if your plan requires one. Some plans need a referral or prescription for ABA from your child’s doctor or the provider who made the diagnosis.
- An insurance check. We check your benefits for free, tell you whether your plan needs a referral, and request authorization for the assessment.
Not sure where to start? Contact our intake team and we will walk you through it.
What the assessment involves
The assessment is a chance for the BCBA to understand your child’s strengths, needs, and what matters most to your family. It usually includes:
- A conversation with you about your child’s history, daily routines, and your goals.
- A review of records, such as the diagnostic report and any school or therapy reports you share.
- Time with your child, watching them play and work on activities, and trying out skills in communication, play, social interaction, and daily living.
- Standardized assessment tools, chosen by the BCBA for your child’s age and needs.
- A look at behavior, if there are behaviors that make daily life hard or unsafe, to understand when and why they happen.
After the assessment
The BCBA writes a treatment plan with specific, measurable goals and a recommended number of therapy hours. The plan also includes goals for caregiver training. The BCBA goes over the plan with you before it is sent to your insurance plan for authorization.
Once it is authorized, therapy begins, at home with in-home ABA therapy, at a clinic or partner site, or a mix of both. The BCBA reassesses your child regularly and updates the plan as your child grows.
ABA Assessment FAQs
In most cases, yes. Insurance plans usually require an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from a qualified provider, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist, before they cover ABA. Send us the diagnostic report with your intake paperwork.
Some plans require a referral or prescription for ABA from your child's doctor or diagnosing provider, and some do not. We check your plan's rules during the free insurance check and tell you exactly what we need.
Many plans cover the assessment once it is authorized. We check your benefits for free and request the authorization before the assessment is scheduled.
The BCBA writes a treatment plan with goals and recommended hours, reviews it with you, and sends it to your insurance plan for authorization. Therapy starts once the plan is authorized and a schedule is set.
Start with a free insurance check
Tell us about your child and your plan. We check your benefits and explain the next steps, at no cost.
Check My Insurance