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If someone has suggested ABA for your child, you probably have questions. This guide explains, in plain language, what ABA is, what sessions look like, who will work with your child, and how to get started with Attain SLB.
What is ABA?
ABA stands for applied behavior analysis. It is an approach based on the science of learning and behavior: it looks at what happens before and after a behavior, and uses that to teach new skills in small, clear steps. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board describes it as applying behavior science to make meaningful changes in people's everyday lives.
For many families, ABA focuses on everyday skills such as communication, play, daily routines, and handling big feelings. The CDC lists behavioral approaches, including ABA, among the treatment options for autism, and the American Academy of Pediatrics discusses behavioral interventions as part of autism care. Every child is different, and goals are set with your family.
What do sessions look like?
Sessions are one-on-one and built around your child's goals. A lot of the learning happens through play and everyday routines, with practice spread through the session and plenty of encouragement. Your child's team tracks progress so goals can be adjusted over time.
At Attain SLB, therapy can happen in your home anywhere in Colorado, at our clinic in Fort Collins (1224 E. Elizabeth St), or a mix of both. We work with children ages 1 to 18.
Who is on your child's team?
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). A graduate-level certified behavior analyst who does the assessment, writes your child's plan, and supervises the therapy.
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician). A trained, certified technician who works directly with your child in sessions, under the supervision of a BCBA.
At Attain SLB, BCBAs supervise each child's case every week, and parents and caregivers are part of the team.
How to start with Attain SLB
- Reach out. Call 970-999-5720 or fill out our short form. Your first consultation is free.
- Insurance check. Before the assessment, we check your benefits for you. We accept Aetna, UMR, Health First Colorado, Cigna, BCBS and Optum. Insurance details →
- Assessment. A BCBA meets your child at our clinic and/or at home and builds a plan with you.
- Therapy begins. We have no waitlist.
Office hours: Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 6 PM, Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.
First assessment checklist for parents
What to bring
- Your child's insurance card
- Any diagnosis paperwork you have
- A signed referral from your child's doctor, if you have one
- School documents such as an IEP, if your child has one
- A sense of your family's weekly schedule
- Your questions, and a few notes about what you'd most like help with
What to expect
- The assessment is done by a BCBA, at our clinic and/or in your home.
- The BCBA will spend time with your child and ask you about their strengths, routines, and the things that are hard right now.
- Afterwards, the BCBA writes a plan with goals for your child and goes over it with you.
- Your insurance may need to approve the plan before regular sessions begin. We help with that step.
Questions before your assessment? Call 970-999-5720.
Sources
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, About Behavior Analysis
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, BCBA certification
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, RBT certification
- CDC, Treatment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Pediatrics, 2020)
More parent guides: The first weeks of ABA · RBTs and BCBAs · Insurance and ABA in Colorado
Common questions
How much does ABA cost in Colorado, with or without insurance?
The cost of services based on insurance varies depending on individual plans and benefits. Our billing specialists can provide detailed information regarding your coverage and expected copays once your insurance information is submitted. We are also happy to complete a benefits check to provide an estimate of costs, with no obligation to begin services. Health First Colorado members are fully covered for eligible services and typically incur no out-of-pocket costs.
ABA therapy is a significant investment for families paying without insurance coverage, as costs include both direct therapy services and the supervision provided by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Our fees are $90.00 per hour for ABA Direct Treatment and $125.00 per hour for BCBA Supervision, Caregiver Consultation, and Training.
Caregiver Consultation is a weekly, less intensive service model that may be billed as a standalone treatment option. This allows families to receive guidance, training, and support from a BCBA even if their child is not participating in direct ABA therapy services.
How many hours of ABA does my child need?
Treatment recommendations are made by the BCBA following the assessment process and are based on each client's individual skill deficits, strengths, and the complexity of any challenging behaviors. Higher treatment hours are often recommended for comprehensive ABA services, particularly when a client is working on global developmental delays and/or goals across multiple skill domains.
At Attain SLB, we take a flexible and individualized approach to treatment planning. Rather than relying on a standard 20- or 40-hour-per-week model, we work collaboratively with families to develop a therapy schedule that is both effective and sustainable. We understand that many families are balancing school, other therapies, extracurricular activities, and family commitments. Our goal is to provide meaningful, evidence-based support while finding the right balance to fit your family's unique needs and schedule.
How long will my child be in ABA?
The primary goal of ABA therapy is to teach adaptive and functional skills that promote independence, with the ultimate objective of helping your child reach a point where ABA services are no longer needed. Achieving this goal depends not only on the work completed during therapy sessions but also on caregiver involvement and support. When caregivers consistently implement strategies and reinforce skills across everyday environments, children are more likely to generalize what they learn in therapy to settings such as home, school, and the community.
During the initial treatment planning process, your child's BCBA will develop individualized criteria for discussing the gradual reduction, or fading, of services and the eventual transition out of ABA therapy. These "signs of readiness" are based on your child's unique goals, progress, and level of independence. They will be reviewed with caregivers when the treatment plan is first presented and revisited regularly throughout treatment as we monitor progress and plan for long-term success.
