ABA Therapy and Autism Services for Children
Behavioral Innovations provides center-based ABA therapy, autism assessment, social skills training and pre-therapy preparation for children with autism and related developmental differences.
We operate more than 120 centers across Texas , Oklahoma , Colorado , North Carolina , Virginia and Maryland , and have served families for 25 years. Autism assessment is currently available in Texas and Colorado.
Our services
Four programs. One intake process.
All services are delivered in-center. Behavioral Innovations does not provide in-home ABA therapy. Not sure which applies to you? Our intake team can help you understand the differences and identify what is right for you and your child. There is no requirement to have a referral or a diagnosis to inquire. We're here to help you on this journey.
| Service | Best for | Ages | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center-Based ABA Therapy | Children newly diagnosed, or currently in ABA and looking for a different provider | 18 months to 10 years | All states |
| Autism Assessment and Diagnosis | Families who suspect autism or need a formal evaluation before starting therapy | 18 months to 6 years | Texas and Colorado |
| Social Skills Training (Beyond the Bell) | School-age children ready to build peer relationships | 5 and up | All centers |
| ABA Prep (Bright Beginnings) | Families approved for therapy and waiting to begin, or children who need a gradual transition | 18 months to 10 years | All centers |
Children newly diagnosed, or currently in ABA and looking for a different provider
Families who suspect autism or need a formal evaluation before starting therapy
School-age children ready to build peer relationships
Families approved for therapy and waiting to begin, or children who need a gradual transition
Center-based ABA therapy
Individualized therapy. Data every session.
ABA therapy is the most researched intervention for autism, recognized as evidence-based by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Surgeon General. Every child's program at Behavioral Innovations begins with a comprehensive assessment and is supervised throughout by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Intensity — typically 20 to 40 hours per week — is set by assessment, not a fixed schedule. Data is collected on every goal, every session. Programs are adjusted when the data says so.
Best for
Children newly diagnosed or beginning ABA, and children already in therapy whose families are seeking a different provider.
Ages served
18 months – 10 years
What ABA therapy addresses
Expressing needs, understanding language, requesting, and building vocal or non-vocal communication.
Every child receives a written behavior intervention plan built from a functional assessment. It defines target behaviors, identifies their function, specifies the replacement skill, and sets measurable progress criteria.
Our clinical model is built on reinforcement and skill-building rather than consequence-based methods. We teach functional alternatives to challenging behavior. Restrictive procedures are not part of our standard practice.
Dressing, eating, toileting, transitions and following routines with progressively less support.
Play, turn-taking, joint attention, and engaging with peers and family members.
Attending, following multi-step directions, working independently for increasing intervals, and self-management.
Available in Texas and Colorado
Autism assessment and diagnosis. No waitlist.
Our diagnostic evaluations are conducted by licensed psychologists using evidence-based, standardized instruments alongside developmental history, caregiver interview and direct observation. Results are explained in plain language, and the written report is accepted by most insurers as documentation for ABA authorization.
If a diagnosis is confirmed, your child can begin ABA therapy with us directly. No record transfer, no second intake, no waitlist.
Families who have noticed signs of autism, or who have been told a formal evaluation is required before therapy can begin.
Signs parents commonly notice
- Limited or delayed speech, or loss of words the child previously used
- Little response to their name by 12 months
- Limited eye contact or difficulty following a point or gaze
- Preference for solitary play, or difficulty engaging with other children
- Strong attachment to routines, and significant distress when routines change
- Repetitive movements or repetitive use of objects
- Unusual sensitivity or indifference to sound, texture, light or touch
- Difficulty communicating needs, often expressed as frustration or challenging behavior
You do not need a pediatrician's referral to schedule an evaluation in Texas or Colorado .
Beyond the Bell
Social skills training
Some children make strong progress in individual ABA therapy and still struggle with the part of life that matters most to them: making friends. Beyond the Bell is an after-school program built for that gap.
Small groups, BCBA-led, structured around real peer interaction rather than scripted role-play. Children practice starting conversations, reading social cues, taking turns, handling disagreement and recovering from it. The program runs alongside existing ABA therapy rather than replacing it.
Learn more about Beyond the BellBright Beginnings
Transition to ABA
Bright Beginnings bridges the gap between approval and the first full day of therapy. Weekly sessions with a trained professional build foundational skills and familiarize your child with the center, the staff and the routine.
Bright Beginnings helps gradually transition children into the clinical setting so Day One is not the first time everything is new at once.
Learn more about Bright BeginningsCommunication focus
Can ABA therapy help nonverbal or minimally verbal children?
Many children entering ABA therapy have limited or emerging speech. Functional communication is a primary goal in these programs, not a secondary one.
Depending on the child's profile, programming may include vocal approximations and shaping, manding, picture exchange systems, sign, or speech-generating devices. Where augmentative and alternative communication is appropriate, we teach caregivers to use the same system at home so the child has one consistent way to communicate across settings.
Progress for nonverbal children is measured the same way as for any other child: on the Vineland-3 communication domain and on session-level goal data. In our study of 1,141 children, those entering with lower initial adaptive behavior scores gained across all three domains, and some recorded the largest individual improvements in the study.
Individualized programming
What if my child has a unique learning profile?
No two children with autism present the same way. Strengths, challenges, communication level, sensory profile and stage of development differ, and a program built for one child will not fit another.
Every Behavioral Innovations program starts from comprehensive assessment and is written specifically for that child. We do not run a standard curriculum. Treatment plans are reviewed at defined reassessment intervals and adjusted as the child progresses, so the program moves with the child rather than the child fitting the program.
Measured outcomes
Most ABA providers describe results. We measured ours.
Behavioral Innovations conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,141 children using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3), a nationally normed assessment that measures how a child functions in daily life, not only how they perform in a therapy room.
At the individual level, session data is collected on every programmed goal and reviewed by your child's BCBA, who adjusts targets as the data indicates.
Children studied
To measurable progress
Average Vineland-3 composite gain
Average gain for children starting at age 2
Children showed measurable improvement in communication, social interaction and daily living skills within the first six months, with gains continuing through twelve months.
Children who began at age 2 recorded the largest average improvement of any age group in the study.
Children with moderate to higher support needs improved across all three domains. Some recorded the largest individual gains in the study.
This outcomes study measured change on the Vineland-3 over 6 to 12 months. Individual results vary with age, baseline skill level, therapy intensity and individual needs. Outcomes are not guaranteed.
120+ centers
Where is Behavioral Innovations available?
Behavioral Innovations operates more than 120 centers in six states. ABA therapy is available at all centers. Autism assessment is available in Texas and Colorado. Beyond the Bell, our social skills group program, and Bright Beginnings, our ABA prep program, are available at all centers.
| State | Markets | ABA Therapy | Evaluation | Beyond the Bell | Bright Beginnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | |||||
| Oklahoma | — | ||||
| Colorado | |||||
| North Carolina | — | ||||
| Virginia | — | ||||
| Maryland | — |
Insurance and payment
Does my insurance cover ABA therapy?
Most families use insurance to cover ABA therapy. We accept most major insurances. Medicaid is accepted in applicable states. Our team will handle benefits verification, prior authorization, and billing for you to streamline your journey with us. Rest assured, we will verify your insurance plan and communicate with you before you move through the process.
Not seeing your plan? Call us at 855.782.7822.
Full Texas insurance detailsNot seeing your plan? Call us at 855.782.7822.
Full Oklahoma insurance detailsNot seeing your plan? Call us at 855.782.7822.
Full Colorado insurance detailsNot seeing your plan? Call us at 855.782.7822.
Full Maryland insurance detailsNot seeing your plan? Call us at 855.782.7822.
Full Virginia insurance detailsNot seeing your plan? Call us at 855.782.7822.
Full North Carolina insurance detailsNot sure where to start?
Our intake team will help you understand our services and identify what is right for you and your child. There is no requirement to have a referral or a diagnosis to inquire. We're here to help you on this journey.
Why families choose us
Why do families choose Behavioral Innovations?
Your child's BCBA is in the building, reviewing data, adjusting goals and speaking with you directly. Supervision is how the program works, not a compliance step.
Daily updates, regular parent check-ins, and progress data written to be read by families rather than filed.
Our co-founders built the clinical model in-house, and every center is held to the same standards. Care in Austin is consistent with care in Charlotte.
Benefits verification, prior authorization and billing are our job, not yours.
Most providers describe results qualitatively. We measured 1,141 children on the Vineland-3 and published what we found.
Read the outcomes studyFamily stories
What are families saying about us?
Families across our centers share what ABA therapy at Behavioral Innovations has meant for their children.
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 Innovations.
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!
Have questions about our services?
What autism services does my child need?
It depends on where your child is starting. Children without a diagnosis usually begin with an assessment. Children with a diagnosis typically begin comprehensive ABA therapy. Social skills groups are added for school-age children already building foundational skills. Our intake team will tell you which applies.
What is the difference between ABA therapy and social skills training?
ABA therapy is one-to-one, delivered daily or near-daily, and covers communication, behavior, daily living and learning skills. Social skills training is a small-group, after-school program for children ages 5 and up focused specifically on peer interaction. Most children in social skills groups also receive individual ABA therapy.
About Beyond the BellDo I need an autism diagnosis before starting ABA therapy?
Where does Behavioral Innovations offer autism assessments?
Autism assessment and diagnostic testing are available in Texas and Colorado. ABA therapy, social skills training and ABA Prep are available across all six states we serve: Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.
What ages does Behavioral Innovations serve?
We serve children from 18 months through 10 years. Social skills groups are for children ages 5 and up. Children as young as 18 months can begin ABA therapy, and our outcomes data shows the largest average gains among children who started at age 2.
Does Behavioral Innovations offer in-home ABA therapy?
No. All ABA therapy is delivered in our centers. Center-based delivery supports on-site BCBA supervision, access to peers for social skill practice, and a structured environment that prepares children for classroom settings. Parent training extends skills into the home.
Center-based vs. home-based therapyCan my child do ABA therapy and social skills training at the same time?
Yes. Beyond the Bell is designed to run alongside individual ABA therapy rather than replace it. Your child's BCBA determines readiness based on their individual program and adds group participation when the skill data supports it.
How many hours per week of ABA therapy does a child need?
Recommended intensity typically ranges from 20 to 40 hours per week and is set by comprehensive assessment, reflecting the child's age, skill profile, goals and family circumstances. Insurance authorization may also affect approved hours. Your BCBA reviews the recommendation with you before therapy begins.
Does ABA therapy actually work?
Yes. ABA is among the most extensively researched interventions for autism. Our internal analysis of 1,141 children found an average gain of +12.3 points on the Vineland-3 composite score, with measurable improvement in communication, social interaction and daily living skills typically appearing within the first six months.
Read the full outcomes studyHow long does it take to see results?
Most children in our outcomes study showed measurable Vineland-3 progress within six months, with gains continuing through twelve months. Early changes usually appear first in communication and behavioral regulation. Families often notice differences at home before they appear in a formal report.
ABA therapy progress over timeIs there a waitlist?
Most Behavioral Innovations centers have no waitlist or a minimal one, and availability changes as programs fill. Autism assessments in Texas and Colorado have no waitlist. Families approved for therapy and waiting for a full slot can begin Bright Beginnings in the meantime.
No referral required
Get started with Behavioral Innovations
Our intake team will walk you through which service fits your child best and what to expect throughout the journey.
- Speak with our intake team directly
- Understand which service is right for you and your child
- Schedule an evaluation or begin enrollment
- No referral or diagnosis required to inquire