Getting Started with ABA at Hope Center
Call or request a consultation • Free benefits check • BCBA-led plan
Starting ABA therapy is a big step, and it helps to know what comes next. At Hope Center for Behavior Change, we walk with your family from the first phone call to the first session. This page explains each step, what to have ready and the questions families ask us most. If anything is unclear, call us at 561-337-8865 and we’ll talk it through.
- 4.9 on Google (13 reviews, October 2026)
- No waitlist
- BCBA-led programs
- BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UMR, TRICARE
- Home, school, daycare & center
The short answer
Getting started with ABA at Hope Center begins with a call or a request form. We check your insurance benefits for free, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) assesses your child, and the treatment plan is sent to your plan for authorization. Therapy then begins, with parent training as part of the program.
What happens first?
- 1Call or send a requestCall 561-337-8865 or fill in the form. Our operations manager or support team answers and asks a few questions about your child and your insurance.
- 2Initial documents and intakeWe send the intake package. Returning it quickly is the biggest thing that speeds up your start.
- 3We verify your benefitsWe check your insurance for free and explain what your plan covers and what your costs may be. Self-pay and a sliding scale are available.
- 4Initial assessmentOnce your insurance approves it, a BCBA assesses your child at our center or your home. It takes 2–4 hours, in one or two sessions. You also complete some questionnaires online.
- 5Plan and authorizationWithin about two weeks the BCBA finalizes the treatment plan, our clinical director reviews it, you sign it, and it goes to your insurance for approval.
- 6Therapy beginsUsually within 3–5 business days of approval. You can meet your child’s team first. A Registered Behavior Technician works with your child, and weekly parent training starts.
What should I have ready?
Having these on hand makes the first steps smoother. If you are missing something, call us anyway. We can help you work out what is needed.
- Your child’s diagnosis report, if you have one (we also offer diagnostic evaluations)
- Your insurance card (front and back)
- A prescription or referral for ABA, if your doctor has given one
- Your child’s school IEP or 504 plan, if they have one
- Any recent evaluations, such as speech or occupational therapy reports
- A short list of your main concerns and goals for your child
Do we need a diagnosis before ABA starts?
Insurance-funded ABA usually needs a diagnosis of autism (ASD) or Down syndrome. If your child does not have one, Hope Center offers diagnostic evaluations. Self-pay is available for every service, with or without a diagnosis.
Many plans also need a prescription or referral for ABA, and approval of the treatment plan before therapy starts. Our insurance page explains how this works for different types of plans.
What does the BCBA assessment involve?
The assessment helps the BCBA understand your child and plan the right goals. It usually includes talking with you about your child’s history and daily routines, watching how your child plays, communicates and responds, and looking at any reports you share.
From there, the BCBA builds a plan around your child’s needs and your family’s priorities. You can read more about ABA assessments.
Where does therapy happen, and how are parents involved?
ABA at Hope Center can take place in the settings where your child spends their day:
- At homeSessions in your home, built around daily routines.
- In the communityPractice in everyday places your family goes.
- At schoolSupport in school settings, when appropriate.
- In your languageABA in your family’s home language.
Parents and caregivers are part of the team. Parent training shows you the strategies your child is learning so you can use them between sessions.
How families get in touch
Call 561-337-8865 Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:30pm, or Saturday from 9:30am to 1:30pm. You can also email office@hopecenteraba.com or send a request through our contact page.
Our office is at 750 S Military Trail, Suite D-E, West Palm Beach, FL 33415. See our West Palm Beach office page for details.
Contact our teamQuestions families ask
How long does it take to start ABA?+
There is no waitlist. From your first call it can take as little as three weeks to start. Once your insurance approves the treatment plan, services usually begin within 3–5 business days. Slow paperwork or insurance replies can stretch this to a few months. The biggest factor is how quickly the intake documents come back, so we help you get them done.
Does the benefits check cost anything?+
No. We check your insurance benefits for free before therapy starts. We explain what your plan covers, what it needs, such as a referral or prior authorization, and what your share of the costs may be.
What if my child does not have a diagnosis yet?+
Most plans need a written diagnosis before they cover ABA. A diagnosis comes from a qualified provider, such as a developmental pediatrician or child psychologist, not from a BCBA. Call us and we can talk through what to do next.
Who will work with my child?+
Programs are developed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and carried out by Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). The BCBA oversees your child’s plan and updates it as your child learns, and you take part through parent training.
Do you accept my insurance?+
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), UMR, Personify Health and TRICARE East, with Optum coming soon. We do not currently accept Medicaid. Self-pay with a sliding scale is available. See insurance.
Related
- InsuranceHow insurance can cover ABA in Florida, and how we check your benefits before therapy starts.Learn more →
- ABA assessmentsABA skills and functional behavior assessments that lead to a clear, individualized treatment plan.Learn more →
- Parent and caregiver trainingStrengths-based coaching that helps parents and caregivers use ABA strategies every day.Learn more →
- In-home ABA therapyABA in your own home, built around daily routines like dressing, meals and play with siblings.Learn more →
Ready to take the first step?
Call or send us a request, and we’ll check your benefits and walk you through what comes next.
Our ABA programs are developed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and carried out by Registered Behavior Technicians.
- No cost to talk to us
- No waitlist: starting can take as little as three weeks from your first call
- Free benefits check, sliding scale and self-pay options
- Our operations team calls you back