Top Child ABA Therapy in Colorado
Center-based ABA therapy for children ages 18 months to 10 years. Autism testing for kids up to 6 years. Centers across the Denver metro.
4.5
800+ Google Reviews
Start Your Child's Journey
A care coordinator will reach out within 24 hours.
ABA Therapy and Autism Services Across Colorado
Behavioral Innovations provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism, ages 18 months to 10 years, at 8 centers across the Denver metro.
We also provide autism testing for ages 18 months to 6 years at select Colorado centers. Families without a diagnosis can start here instead of waiting on an outside evaluation and then starting over.
Colorado law requires most state-regulated health plans to cover ABA therapy. Colorado Medicaid covers it as well. Most centers have little or no waitlist. Call 855.782.7822 and we will verify your benefits before you commit to anything.
What We Offer at Our Colorado Locations
ABA Therapy for Autism
One-on-one applied behavior analysis for children ages 18 months to 10 years, targeting communication, behavior, daily living skills, and independence. Every program starts with a BCBA assessment and an individualized treatment plan.
Learn moreAutism Testing and Diagnostics
Comprehensive evaluation for children ages 18 months to 6 years. Families who test with us have the option to move directly into therapy without repeating intake.
Full-Time, Part-Time, and After-School Scheduling
Comprehensive programs generally run 30 to 40 hours per week. Focused programs run roughly 10 to 25. Your BCBA recommends the intensity; your insurer authorizes it.
Learn moreSocial Skills Therapy
Small-group programs for peer interaction, social communication, and functional engagement.
Find a Behavioral Innovations Center in Colorado
Enter your zip code to find the closest ABA therapy center near you.
Not sure which center is right for you?
Our care coordinators will match your family with the best available opening near you.
Built for Colorado Families. Focused on Your Child.
Trusted by Colorado Pediatricians
Pediatricians across Denver, Boulder, and Longmont refer their patients to Behavioral Innovations. That trust has been earned through 25 years of documented outcomes.
Testing and Therapy Under One Roof
Autism evaluation, ABA therapy, social skills, and parent training at the same Colorado center. One team, one plan, no bouncing between providers.
Same-Day Benefits Verification
Most Denver Metro and Boulder/Longmont families know their coverage within hours of calling. We handle prior authorizations so you can focus on your child.
Outcomes Backed by Data
1,141 children studied. 100% of age groups improved. Progress is measured every session using the gold-standard Vineland-3.
Progress That Carries Home
Every month you see exactly how your child is growing: at the dinner table, in the car, and at bedtime, not just at the center.
Colorado School Transition Support
Our BCBAs coordinate with Denver Metro and Boulder/Longmont school districts and support IEP goals so gains in therapy carry into the classroom.
What Colorado Families Are Saying
Families across Denver Metro, Boulder, Longmont, and surrounding Colorado communities share what ABA therapy at Behavioral Innovations has meant for their children.
4.5
800+ Google Reviews
We are so grateful for all the staff at BI. Every tech, BCBA, front desk staff has been such a joy to work with. This is our first experience with ABA therapy and it's been so great to see a program that uses ABA techniques in a positive way.
Holly Ensby
Longmont, CO
The care provided at BI is truly exceptional. They consistently offer personalized attention to every individual, demonstrating a deep and genuine care for each child receiving their services. From the front office staff, to everyone in the back, you can tell they love what they do. 💕
Mayra Buendia
Centennial, CO
The staff here are absolutely phenomenal with my son and have helped him in many ways. Even though it has only been a few months, he has grown so much and continues to learn new things every day! The positivity in this center is hands down one of the best things about them. Any questions or concerns I have they answer quickly and efficiently. Huge shout out to the BI team!
Shelby Blitz
Highlands Ranch, CO
ABA Therapy Covered by Major Colorado Health Plans
Colorado law requires state-regulated, fully insured health plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. We verify your benefits the same day you call. No cost, no commitment.
Additional plans may be accepted. Acceptance varies by location and specific policy.
Don't see your plan? We accept most major insurance.
Check if you're coveredWhat ABA Therapy Costs in Colorado
Without insurance, published national estimates commonly put direct therapy in the range of $120 to $150 per hour, though rates vary widely by region and by who delivers the session.
What insured Colorado families actually pay
Once coverage applies, your real cost falls into one of three ranges depending on your plan type, deductible, and whether you've hit your out-of-pocket maximum.
$0 – $200 / mo
Met deductibles or Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado)
$200 – $600 / mo
PPO/HMO with $3K–$5K deductible, standard coinsurance
$600 – $1,500 / mo
High-deductible or high coinsurance plans before OOP max
Colorado Insurance Mandate
SB 09-244 (expanded 2017) requires fully insured plans to cover ABA therapy for autism with no annual dollar cap and no age limit. Self-funded/ERISA employer plans are exempt; verify with your HR department.
Colorado Medicaid & public programs
| Program | Who qualifies | ABA covered? |
|---|---|---|
| Health First Colorado | Under 21, income-based | Yes, no visit cap |
| CHP+ | Up to 18, income-based | Yes, prior auth required |
| CES Waiver | Significant support needs | Yes, waitlist applies |
| HCBS Waiver | IDD criteria | Yes, waitlist applies |
FSA / HSA
ABA qualifies as a medical expense. FSA limit $3,400 (2026); HSA family limit $8,750 (rolls over indefinitely).
Payment plans & CareCredit®
Interest-free plans up to 24 months. We are the first leading ABA provider in the country to accept CareCredit®.
Learn about financingGet a real number before you commit
We verify your benefits at no cost and give you an estimate of your expected cost-sharing before your first appointment. No guessing.
Do Colorado children need a diagnosis before starting ABA?
It depends on who's paying. Private plans in Colorado almost always require a documented autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (DSM-5-TR) before they'll authorize ABA, and state law requires the treatment to be prescribed or ordered by a licensed physician or psychologist. Health First Colorado, the state Medicaid program, works differently. Its Pediatric Behavioral Therapy benefit covers children 20 and under based on EPSDT medical necessity, with autism or another qualifying diagnosis.
We can do the evaluation.
Behavioral Innovations offers autism testing for children 18 months to 6 years at select Colorado centers. That removes the most common delay families hit, which is finding an evaluator and then waiting months for an appointment.
If your child is older than 6, or you prefer to test elsewhere, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or pediatric neurologist. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months, so you can raise the question early rather than waiting to be asked.
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Private insurance: Most plans require a formal ASD diagnosis before approving ABA. Colorado's autism mandate has no age cap and no dollar cap.
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Self-funded employer plans: If your employer self-funds its health plan, the Colorado mandate doesn't apply to it. Ask HR or check your summary plan description before assuming ABA is covered.
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Health First Colorado (Medicaid): An ASD diagnosis isn't strictly required. Approval runs through a prior authorization request that includes a referral, a plan of care, and a standardized adaptive behavior assessment. Approved requests last up to six months.
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Intake process: Many clinics let families start intake paperwork and preliminary assessments while a formal diagnostic evaluation is still scheduled or pending.
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Specialists: Evaluations are performed by developmental pediatricians, child psychologists, neuropsychologists, or child psychiatrists.
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Standard tools: Assessments frequently use the ADOS-2 or ADI-R, usually alongside cognitive and adaptive behavior measures.
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Under age 3: Early Intervention Colorado accepts referrals from anyone, including parents. No diagnosis and no physician referral are needed to request an evaluation, and the evaluation is free.
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School age: Special education eligibility runs through Child Find and the school district. It uses educational criteria, not a medical diagnosis, so a child can qualify for school services without one.
How fast can we start?
Most Behavioral Innovations centers in Colorado have no waitlist or a short one. What families experience as "the wait" is usually a sequence rather than a queue.
Diagnosis
The longest step if you don't have one. We handle testing for ages 18 months to 6 years.
Intake
You do not need complete documentation to make first contact. Call and we will tell you what's missing.
Insurance Prior Authorization
Most commercial carriers respond within 1 to 3 weeks.
BCBA Assessment
Produces your child's individualized treatment plan and the authorized hours request.
These steps can often run in parallel. Starting benefits verification while you wait on an evaluation appointment can save weeks. Calling early costs you nothing and moves the clock.
Call 855.782.7822
“Behind every number is a child who said something new, made a friend, or surprised their family.”
Measured using the Vineland-3 Adaptive Behavior Scales
Real progress for Colorado children.
Data that proves it.
Our outcomes are tracked rigorously across every child we serve. Every age group. Every level of support. All showing meaningful gains.
How Behavioral Innovations Measures Progress
Every outcome starts with a structured process. Here is what drives the data behind every child's plan.
ABA Therapy in Colorado: Your Questions Answered
Questions about ABA therapy, autism evaluations, or getting started at a Colorado center? Our care team is here to help.
Call 855.782.7822What ages do Colorado centers serve?
ABA therapy is for children 18 months to 10 years. Autism testing is for children 18 months to 6 years.
Do you provide autism evaluations in Colorado?
Yes, at select Colorado centers, for children 18 months to 6 years. Families who test with us may be eligible to move directly into therapy with a confirmed diagnosis.
Do I need a diagnosis before starting ABA?
It depends on your coverage. Private insurance plans almost always require a formal ASD diagnosis before authorizing ABA. Health First Colorado (Medicaid) works differently: it can cover behavioral therapy based on medical necessity without a strict ASD diagnosis requirement. If your child does not yet have a diagnosis, we may be able to provide the evaluation at select Colorado centers.
Is ABA therapy covered by insurance in Colorado?
Usually. Colorado law requires state-regulated health plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including ABA, with no age cap and no dollar cap. Health First Colorado covers it too. The exception is self-funded employer plans, which follow federal law instead of Colorado's mandate.
How much will I pay out of pocket?
Your deductible, then copay or coinsurance, capped by your plan's annual out-of-pocket maximum. On 2026 ACA-compliant plans that cap cannot exceed $10,600 individual or $21,200 family. We verify your specific plan at no cost.
How many hours of therapy will my child need?
That comes from the BCBA assessment. Comprehensive programs generally run 30 to 40 hours weekly, focused programs 10 to 25. Your insurer authorizes hours separately from the clinical recommendation, and reduced authorizations can be appealed.
How long is the waitlist?
Most Colorado centers have no waitlist or a short one. Prior authorization typically adds 1 to 3 weeks.
Do you offer in-home ABA in Colorado?
No. Colorado centers provide center-based therapy only.
Is Spanish-language support available?
Yes, we can offer Spanish assistance during our intake process.
What happens after I submit the form?
Our team reviews your child's age and needs, confirms available services at nearby centers, and contacts you to discuss next steps. You do not need complete documentation to make first contact.
Ready to Get Started?
If your child is between 18 months and 10 years and you are exploring autism services in Colorado, the first step is a brief eligibility review.
After you submit the form, our team will:
- Review your child's age, diagnosis status, and needs
- Confirm available services at nearby Colorado centers
- Verify your insurance benefits at no cost
- Contact you to discuss next steps and answer questions
You do not need everything in order first. Calling early moves the timeline even if paperwork is incomplete.