Top Child ABA Therapy in Maryland
Center-based ABA therapy for children ages 18 months to 10 years. Centers across Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, and more.
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 Maryland
Behavioral Innovations provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism, ages 18 months to 10 years, at 8 centers across the Baltimore metro and Washington DC metro regions of Maryland.
MD Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Most commercial plans in Maryland that include ABA coverage are subject to federal mental health parity requirements, meaning ABA cannot be treated less favorably than other medical benefits.
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 Maryland 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 moreFull-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 an ABA Therapy Center Near You in Maryland
Click on your region or enter your zip code to find a 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 Maryland Families. Focused on Your Child.
Trusted by Maryland Pediatricians
Pediatricians across the Baltimore metro and Washington DC metro region refer their patients to Behavioral Innovations. That trust has been earned through 25 years of documented outcomes.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Every child starts with a BCBA assessment. Therapy targets communication, behavior, daily living skills, and independence, built around your child specifically.
Same-Day Benefits Verification
Most Maryland families know their coverage within hours of calling. We handle prior authorizations, including MD Medicaid, 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 Shows Up in Daily Life
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.
Maryland School Transition Support
Our BCBAs coordinate with Maryland school districts and support IEP goals so gains in therapy carry into the classroom.
What Maryland Families Are Saying
Families across our centers share what ABA therapy at Behavioral Innovations has meant for their children.
4.5
800+ Google Reviews
There are no words that can describe the profound love and appreciation I have for the BI Family. I enrolled my son last year and the way he has grown is amazing. Yesterday was bittersweet, he graduated and is transitioning to kindergarten. If you are a parent looking for a community where they will ensure your child grows, Behavioral Innovations is the place for you.
It has been a great experience. My child is doing very well and we are so happy with our services. The staff are very friendly. I definitely recommend Behavioral Innovation.
My three-year-old son has had a wonderful experience so far. He loves putting on his backpack and going into the facility, and he's always happy when we pick him up. Everyone there is incredibly friendly and always in a good mood. We can't wait to see his growth and start his speech therapy!
ABA Therapy Covered by Major Maryland Health Plans
MD Medicaid and most commercial plans that include ABA are subject to federal mental health parity requirements. 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 Maryland
Published national estimates put direct therapy in the range of $120 to $150 per hour. Maryland rates vary by region and by who delivers the session. MD Medicaid-enrolled families typically pay nothing out of pocket for authorized services. Commercial plan costs depend on your deductible, copay or coinsurance, and your plan's annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Full breakdown of hourly rates and what drives cost: How much does ABA therapy cost?
What you actually pay
Once coverage applies, three numbers replace the list price.
Deductible. What you pay before the plan starts sharing cost. At comprehensive intensity, therapy hours exhaust it quickly.
Copay or coinsurance. A flat fee per session, or a percentage of the allowed amount. Coinsurance adds up faster than most families expect at 30 or more hours per week.
Out-of-pocket maximum. Your ceiling. Once you reach it, covered in-network services cost nothing for the rest of the plan year. Out-of-network charges may sit outside the cap entirely. Premiums never count toward it. Confirm network status before your first session.
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 during intake and give you an estimate of your expected cost-sharing before you schedule. You do not need to guess.
Do Maryland Children Need a Diagnosis Before Starting ABA?
For ABA therapy, yes. Both commercial insurers and Maryland Medicaid require a confirmed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis before authorizing services. Maryland Medicaid specifically requires a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation completed by a qualified health care professional, who then prescribes ABA as medically necessary.
If your child does not yet have a diagnosis, let us know when you call. You can also 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.
CDC data released in 2025 identified autism in 1 in 31 eight-year-olds nationally. Many children go unidentified for years, delaying access to services that work best when started early.
How Fast Can We Start?
Most Behavioral Innovations centers in Maryland 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 can refer you to a local diagnostician so you're not searching on your own.
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 a diagnosis 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 Maryland 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 Maryland: Your Questions Answered
Questions about ABA therapy, insurance coverage, or getting started at a Maryland center? Our care team is here to help.
Call 855.782.7822What ages do Maryland centers serve?
ABA therapy is for children 18 months to 10 years.
Do I need a diagnosis before starting ABA?
Yes. Insurers require a documented autism spectrum disorder diagnosis before authorizing services. If your child does not yet have one, let us know when you call and we will refer you to a local diagnostician so you can move forward without searching on your own.
Does MD Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Maryland Medicaid (HealthChoice) covers ABA therapy for eligible children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Prior authorization is required, and we handle that process on your behalf. To check eligibility or apply, visit mmcp.health.maryland.gov or call Maryland Medicaid at 1-800-492-5231.
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 Maryland centers have no waitlist or a short one. Prior authorization typically adds 1 to 3 weeks.
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 Maryland, 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 Maryland 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.