FAQs

Applied Behavior Analysis is the science of learning and behavior. In practice, it means breaking complex skills (asking for help, taking turns, getting dressed) into smaller pieces, teaching each piece in a way your child can succeed at, and reinforcing growth. Modern ABA is play-based, naturalistic, and assent-based — not the rigid, drill-heavy version some people remember from a decade ago.

Children and adults of all ages. We have particular experience with early intervention (toddlers and preschoolers) and with school-age children navigating big classroom transitions.

It depends. Early intervention often involves 15-30 hours per week; school-age focused programming often runs 5-15 hours. Your BCBA will recommend a range during the initial assessment, and your insurance authorization will determine what's actually approved. We'll never push more hours than your child clinically needs.

In-home, in-school, or in the community — wherever skills will generalize best. Most families start with in-home, then layer in other settings as goals expand.

We're in-network with Premera, Regence, BCBS, Kaiser, and Aetna. For other commercial carriers, we routinely set up single-case agreements. We also accept private pay.

We are not currently in-network with Apple Health (Molina, Coordinated Care, etc.). If you have Medicaid coverage, we'll happily refer you to providers in Washington who do accept it.

Most families go from first call to first session in 2-4 weeks, depending on insurance authorization speed and your child's diagnostic paperwork.

Insurance requires a current autism diagnosis to authorize ABA. You don't need a physician referral in most cases, but check your specific plan. If your child doesn't have a diagnosis yet, we can point you to providers who do diagnostic evaluations.

A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) holds a master's degree and designs and supervises your child's treatment plan. An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) delivers the day-to-day sessions under the BCBA's supervision. Your BCBA stays involved weekly even when an RBT is doing the bulk of session hours.

It looks like play. A good ABA session, to an outside observer, often looks like a really skilled adult playing with a child. The structure is underneath — your therapist is creating dozens of teaching opportunities inside what looks like a game of Magnatiles.

Most of the time, yes — but specific time slots fill up, especially after-school and weekend hours. The fastest way to find out current availability is the consultation form.