How to Obtain ABA Services

Once your child is enrolled in the ACD:

  • We will help you locate a provider
  • We will approve an assessment and treatment with the provider
  • You can schedule for your child to start services

If you want to change to a different provider or get a second opinion assessment, contact your ASN. You can ask for a second opinion without needing a new referral, but your child cannot have two different ABA providers at the same time.

How Does the Process Work?

ABA services start with an assessment to create a personalized Treatment Plan. At your first meeting with your child’s ABA supervisor, they will observe your child and their behavior and complete outcome measures. This helps them develop a personalized TP for your child. Your child’s treatment services can take place at home or in the clinic. Each authorization for ABA services is valid for six months.

Your child’s ABA supervisor will regularly track your child’s progress and collect similar information through one-on-one services with your child. The ABA supervisor will track progress through outcome measure evaluations; this will show how your child is doing. Your child’s provider will do these evaluations every six months and yearly; submitting these outcome measures on time is necessary for continuing ABA services.

You will engage you in your child’s services through parent training with your child’s ABA supervisor. Parent training will help you use ABA interventions at home and support your child’s progress. To get approval for your child’s ABA services, you need to complete parent training. You will need to complete your first session within 30 days of your child starting services and six sessions within the six-month approval.

What are the Models of Services?

In ABA, there are two common models of services delivery: the sole provider and the tiered model.

  • Sole Provider Model: ABA services are provided by your child’s ABA supervisor only. If the ABA clinic has several BCBA’s, your child will only have sessions with their ABA supervisor unlike in a tiered model.
  • Tiered Model: ABA services is a team effort. Your child’s ABA Supervisor will supervise an Assistant Behavior Analysts and Behavior Technicians who deliver the treatment sessions based on the services plan created by your child’s ABA Supervisor. This model allows more people to be involved in the treatment, but the ABA Supervisor still oversees everything.

What is the Role of the ABA Supervisor?

  • Plan and supervise your child’s ABA services
  • Collaborate with you on family and parent goals
  • Monitors and update the TP for continued ABA services

Your child’s ABA supervisor must be TRICARE certified and approved before you can begin ABA services.

How Do you Choose an ABA Provider?

Your assigned ASN will help find available ABA providers for the initial assessment and services. Once a provider is located, your ASN will approve an authorization of the initial assessment and services for your child. Then, you can contact the chosen provider to schedule the first visit.

If you want to change to a different provider or get a second opinion, reach out your ASN. You can ask for a second opinion without needing a new referral, but your child cannot have two different ABA providers at the same time.

Requesting ABA Services for the First Time

  1. TRICARE East will send an authorization notice for your child’s ABA assessment.
  2. The provider will complete the ABA assessment and create a TP.
  3. You will get an authorization notice for every six months of approved ABA services for your child.
  4. ABA services are only available where BCBAs operate.

What Should I Expect During the First Assessment

Your child may need multiple visits to complete their initial assessment. The information your child’s ABA Supervisor gathers, by observing your child and their behavior and completing outcome measures, is to develop a personalized TP with specific services recommendations and goals to track your child’s progress.

The assessment includes:

  • Background information
  • A Functional Behavior Assessment
  • Completion and review of the parent/caregiver interview
  • Development of the TP
  • Completion and review of outcome measures
  • Parent/caregiver signed agreement on the TP
  • Completing outcome measures

To help create an individualized TP and track your child’s progress, there are specific outcome measures to begin and continue receiving ABA services. They are due every six months and/or yearly, based on the measure. You and your child’s ABA provider should complete outcome measures together no earlier than 90 days before their due date.

How Can I Learn More?

If you need help with outcome measures, call your child’s ASN at 866-323-7155 for help.

Last Updated 12/2/2024