No, Social Behavior Solutions does not give a medical diagnosis for any condition. This needs to come from a medical doctor, clinical psychologist, or neurologist. You may ask your pediatrician or Kern Regional Center for a full diagnostic evaluation. If your insurance in Magellan you may want to ask which specific assessments are needed and ensure the clinical psychologist uses those assessments in their evaluation.

How Do I Get Started with ABA Therapy?

The first step in accessing ABA therapy is determining your insurance requirements and obtaining the necessary referrals and evaluations.

If you have Kern Family Health Care (KFHC):
Your first step is to schedule an appointment with your child's pediatrician and request a referral for an ABA assessment. Depending on your child's needs and age, your pediatrician may also recommend a diagnostic evaluation for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through a qualified specialist. If your child has not yet received an autism diagnosis, you may also contact the Kern Regional Center to inquire about eligibility and diagnostic evaluation services. Please note that wait times for diagnostic evaluations can sometimes be lengthy.

If you have Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Magellan, or other commercial insurance plans:
Most insurance providers require two items before ABA services can begin:

1. A formal medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from a qualified physician or psychologist.

2. A referral or prescription for an ABA assessment (often called a Functional Behavior Assessment or ABA Evaluation) signed by a licensed physician.

It is important to verify your insurance requirements, as some plans require the referral to be signed specifically by a physician (M.D. or D.O.) rather than a nurse practitioner or other healthcare provider.

Once you have the required diagnosis and referral, contact the member services number on the back of your insurance card to obtain a list of ABA providers in your area. If you have a specific ABA agency you would like to work with, you may request that provider at that time. The insurance company can verify whether the agency is in-network and explain any additional authorization requirements.

After selecting an ABA provider, the agency will guide you through the intake process, insurance authorization, assessment, and treatment planning procedures necessary to begin services.

ABA therapy looks different for every individual because each person receives a unique treatment plan tailored to their specific strengths, needs, goals, and developmental profile. Treatment recommendations and teaching strategies are individualized and designed to address meaningful skills that improve independence, communication, social functioning, and overall quality of life.

For individuals receiving a comprehensive after-school ABA program, therapy may look very similar to a typical after-school routine, but with one-on-one support from a Behavior Technician implementing evidence-based interventions developed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Throughout the session, learning opportunities are intentionally created and naturally embedded into daily activities, routines, and play experiences to promote skill acquisition and generalization.

A significant component of ABA therapy often involves teaching communication and language skills. Programs are designed to capture and contrive opportunities for individuals to communicate wants, needs, thoughts, feelings, and ideas across a variety of settings and communication partners. Instruction may focus on increasing functional communication, conversational skills, requesting, commenting, answering questions, and participating in meaningful social interactions.

Play-based learning is also commonly incorporated into treatment. Play serves as an important foundation for learning, social development, and relationship building. Skills targeted during play may include independent play, parallel play, cooperative play, imaginative play, playing with toys for their intended purpose, taking turns, sharing, waiting, following rules, tolerating losing, and demonstrating good sportsmanship.

Social skills instruction may address a variety of age-appropriate competencies, including initiating and maintaining conversations, staying on topic, transitioning between topics, interpreting nonverbal social cues, understanding perspectives of others, developing friendships, problem-solving social situations, and navigating interactions across home, school, and community environments.

While ABA therapy is structured and goal-oriented, effective programs are designed to be engaging, individualized, and meaningful, helping individuals learn skills that can be applied in their everyday lives and natural environments.

ABA therapy can vary depending on insurance. Depending on your insurance plan, it may be no cost or a copay. Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to find out how much it would be for your provider. Private pay is available, please contact us for details.

The BCBA will give the best clinical recommendation for your child and to meet their recommended goals. The scheduling of your child’s ABA will be based on your family’s schedule and needs. You do not need to use all of the recommended hours.

There needs to be an adult over the age of 18 at home during the therapy at all times. Depending on where your child is in the therapy process parents may not be in the same room, observing or participating in therapy.

The BCBA will give his or her best clinical recommendations to address behavior challenges and skill deficits. Parent involvement and parent consent is part of the process in deciding which goals will be worked on. As the parent you have the right to share your priorities and concerns. If you are not in agreement with a goal it will not be implemented.

Social Behavior Solutions takes your child’s and family’s privacy seriously. We are HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ) compliant and do not share your child’s personal health information with anyone, unless we receive a written authorization from the legal guardians or parents. We do not speak with anyone about your child (e.g. teachers, aides, grandparents etc.) without your written permission.