How ABA therapy works
Big skills, built one block at a time
ABA therapy turns big goals into small, teachable steps and stacks them up. Here is what that looks like for your child in Utah.
- 1Assessment A BCBA observes your child and measures communication, play, daily-living and behavior skills to see exactly where they are today.
- 2A plan built for your child Goals are written around what matters to your family, broken into small, teachable steps.
- 3Practice, every session Therapists teach each step with positive reinforcement and record data so nothing is guesswork.
- 4Parent training You learn the same strategies, so progress carries over to mealtimes, bedtime, school and outings.
- 5Progress reviews Goals are reviewed and raised as your child masters them, one block on top of the last.
ABA therapy across Utah
Find the page for your town, or start with the guides parents read first.
Questions parents ask about ABA therapy in Utah
What is ABA therapy?
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy for children with autism. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) measures where your child is today, breaks big skills such as communication, play, self-care and handling transitions into small steps, and teaches them with positive reinforcement while tracking progress session by session.
Does Utah Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Utah Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible members under 21 with an autism diagnosis when it is medically necessary, with prior authorization. Our Utah Medicaid ABA guide explains the steps.
Can ABA therapy happen at home?
Yes. In-home ABA means the skills are practiced in the places your child actually uses them: mealtimes, bedtime, play and getting out the door. Parents are coached to keep the strategies going between sessions. See in-home ABA therapy in Utah.
What do we need to get started?
Usually an autism diagnosis from a qualified clinician, your insurance or Medicaid card, and a short call with us. We explain the intake assessment, what authorization looks like for your plan, and what the first weeks of therapy involve.
Where are you located, and which areas do you serve?
We are at 2171 Constitution Blvd, West Valley City, UT 84119, and work with families across the Salt Lake and Utah County areas, including Sandy, South Jordan, Draper, Lehi, Provo, Orem and Logan. Call (385) 393-0139 to ask about your town.
