How to Start ABA Therapy in North Carolina: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting started with ABA therapy can feel overwhelming. There are phone calls, assessments and insurance steps. This guide walks through the process one step at a time, so you know what to expect and what to have ready.
Before you start: what you’ll need
- An autism diagnosis. Most insurance plans cover ABA therapy for a child who has been diagnosed with autism. If your child hasn’t been evaluated yet, talk to your pediatrician about a referral for a diagnostic evaluation.
- Your insurance information. Have your insurance card handy, including Medicaid or your Medicaid health plan if that’s how your child is covered.
- Your goals. You don’t need clinical language. “I want him to be able to tell me when he’s hungry” or “bedtime is a battle every night” are exactly the kind of goals that matter.
Step 1: Intake, getting started
You tell the provider about your child and your goals. They answer your questions, explain how ABA works, and make sure they’re a good fit for your family. This is also a good time to ask your own questions. See the list at the end of this article.
Step 2: Initial assessment
A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) comes to meet you and your child to observe, listen and learn. What are your child’s strengths? What’s challenging right now? You’ll discuss your goals for now and for the future.
Step 3: Treatment plan and insurance authorization
Based on the assessment, the BCBA builds a personalized therapy plan with clear steps toward the goals you set together. Most insurance plans need to approve ABA before it starts, which is called authorization. At Empire ABA, our office team handles the authorization process and verifies your benefits before we begin, so there are no surprises.
Step 4: Therapy begins
Your child’s BCBA and RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) start regular sessions at your home, following the plan you built together. Sessions work at your child’s pace and focus on skills that matter in real life: communication, daily routines and emotional regulation.
Step 5: Monitor and adjust
Your team keeps careful track of your child’s progress: what they respond well to, what they enjoy and what they avoid. The plan is adjusted as you all see what works and what doesn’t. You’ll also have regular sessions with your BCBA to learn techniques you can use every day.
Step 6: Celebrate progress and set new goals
Every win counts, however small it seems. Then you set new goals and keep growing.
Questions to ask any ABA provider
Not every ABA provider works the same way. Before you commit, it’s worth asking:
- Do you provide therapy in our home? Where will sessions take place?
- Who will work with my child? Will a BCBA supervise, and how often will they meet with us?
- How do you involve parents? Will I get coaching, and will my goals shape the plan?
- Do you handle insurance authorization? Will you verify my benefits before we start?
- What is your approach? For example, does the provider force eye contact or try to stop stimming? A neurodiversity-affirming provider won’t. Read more in what neurodiversity-affirming ABA means.
- How will you share progress with us?
Where Empire ABA provides therapy
Empire ABA provides in-home ABA therapy for families across North Carolina, with teams serving Wilmington, the Triangle (Raleigh–Durham) and the Charlotte metro. If you’re not sure whether we serve your area, give us a call. We’re happy to check.
Ready to take the first step?
Contact us to talk about your child and your goals. If insurance is your first question, read does insurance cover ABA therapy in North Carolina?
