ABA Therapy

• How will ABA therapy help my child? How can I help them make progress?
  ABA therapy is used to teach a wide variety of skills that are tailored to the needs of the individual. These skills may include, but are not limited to, social skills, communication, play skills, school readiness, functional living skills (e.g., bathing, brushing teeth), behavior management, and much more. Caregiver involvement is a core component of ABA therapy and is required monthly at minimum. Caregiver training sessions are essential to teach your child how to generalize their skills across different settings and people. Our BCBAs are here to support you and your child every step of the way.
• Does my child need an autism diagnosis to receive ABA therapy?
  No — an autism diagnosis is not required to begin ABA therapy at Empower Behavioral Health. However, a formal medical diagnosis is required for insurance to cover the cost of services.
• Will my insurance cover ABA therapy?
  Most likely! We are in-network with most private insurance providers, and ABA is typically a covered benefit. One of the first steps of our intake process includes verifying your coverage and reviewing that information with you.
• What are your business hours?
  Our clinics are open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Our Corporate office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Central.
• Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Texas?
  Yes — in most cases, health insurance covers ABA therapy in Texas. State law requires insurance providers to cover ABA therapy for individuals with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. Empower Behavioral Health is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, TRICARE, Magellan, and Optum. Our intake team will verify your benefits and walk you through your coverage before services begin.
• How old does my child need to be to start ABA therapy?
  Empower Behavioral Health accepts children as young as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention — particularly 30 to 40 hours per week before age 5 — produces the strongest outcomes. That said, we provide ABA therapy for individuals of all ages, including teens and adults.
• What happens after I fill out the Get Started form?
  After you submit the form, a member of our intake team will reach out to answer your questions and schedule a tour of your nearest clinic. From there, we verify your insurance benefits, obtain assessment authorization, and schedule a full evaluation with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Most families are able to move through intake efficiently so their child can begin services as soon as possible.
• What is a BCBA and what role do they play in my child's treatment?
  A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a licensed clinical professional who designs, oversees, and adjusts your child's individualized ABA treatment plan. At Empower Behavioral Health, BCBAs lead every program and directly supervise the Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who work with your child during sessions.
• What is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)?
  An RBT is a trained therapy provider who works directly with your child during ABA sessions, implementing the strategies designed by your child's BCBA. RBTs are supervised by BCBAs and work closely with families to ensure consistency across settings.
• How many hours of ABA therapy does my child need?
  Hours are determined individually based on your child's assessment results and clinical needs. Full-time programs typically run 30 to 40 hours per week and are recommended for children who need comprehensive skill development. Part-time focused programs are available for those working on a specific set of skills or transitioning out of a full-time program.
• Do you offer ABA therapy in Spanish?
  Yes — Empower Behavioral Health offers ABA therapy services in Spanish at select locations. Please let our intake team know you would like Spanish-language services and they will match you with the appropriate clinic.
• What is the staff-to-patient ratio at Empower Behavioral Health clinics?
  Empower Behavioral Health maintains a low staff-to-patient ratio to ensure your child receives individualized, focused attention throughout every session. Each child works one-on-one with an RBT under direct BCBA supervision.
• Does Empower Behavioral Health accept Medicaid?
  Some Medicaid plans are accepted at select Empower Behavioral Health locations. Coverage varies by region. Contact our intake team for the most current information on Medicaid acceptance at the clinic nearest you.
• How long does ABA therapy last?
  The length of time a child participates in ABA therapy varies based on their individual goals and rate of progress. Treatment plans are reviewed regularly by your child's BCBA and updated as goals are met. Some children transition out of comprehensive services into a part-time focused program before eventually completing treatment.
• What is caregiver involvement like?
  Caregiver participation is a core part of the program — not optional. At minimum, caregivers participate in monthly training sessions with their child's BCBA. These sessions are designed to help you reinforce skills at home and in community settings, which is essential for your child's long-term progress.