How to start ABA therapy at Ability Avenues
Six steps, start to first session — each one explained below, so nothing about starting care feels like a mystery.
Most Minnesota families pay $0 out of pocket through EIDBI. See what EIDBI covers
The 6-step flow
Every family moves through the same six steps — each one fills in as you reach it, so you always know exactly where you are.
Step 1 of 6
First conversation
Call or send the form. We'll ask about your child, your city, and your coverage — no documents needed yet.
- Time
- Usually the same or next business day
Step 2 of 6
Coverage & eligibility check
We confirm your child's coverage — Straight MA or Blue Plus — and explain paths like TEFRA if you don't have Medical Assistance yet. Then we set up a short meeting, usually by telehealth, to complete intake paperwork, review our policies, and sign a release of information so we can request records on your behalf.
- Time
- A short meeting, scheduled within days
- You provide
- Your child's basic details and current insurance information
Step 3 of 6
Evaluation (CMDE)
The Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Evaluation is the state-required evaluation behind every EIDBI plan. If your child already has a valid one, we use it; if not, we arrange a new evaluation through our independent partner agencies — a caregiver interview, an observation of your child in a familiar setting, and a review of the records gathered so far.
- Time
- About a week when a new evaluation is needed
- You provide
- Your child, present for the interview and observation, if a new evaluation is needed
Step 4 of 6
Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP)
Your child's BCBA builds their treatment plan — goals, hours, and approach — from the evaluation and a follow-up conversation with you. We create a fresh plan for every child, even those who've had ABA therapy before.
- Time
- About a week
- You provide
- Your child again, plus your input on what matters most for your family
Step 5 of 6
Scheduling & setting
Once your insurance authorizes the plan, we match your child with their care team and you choose one setting — our Golden Valley center or your home — plus the days and times that actually work for your family. Your BCBA talks the choice through with you; it's your call, not a rule about where you live.
- Time
- A few days once the plan is authorized
Step 6 of 6
First session & onboarding
Therapy begins. A trained Behavior Technician delivers sessions, supervised by your child's BCBA through our secure care platform.
- Time
- Ongoing from here
What you'll need
Check off what you can find before your first conversation. Nothing here has to be perfect.
0 of 5 ready
Missing something on this list? Start anyway — we'll help you track down the rest during intake.
How long does intake usually take?
It depends mostly on how quickly your child's evaluation and insurance authorization move, and how fast other providers respond to record requests. We'll give you a current, honest estimate on your first call rather than a promise we can't keep.
Do we need a diagnosis before we start?
No. The evaluation that's part of our intake process, the CMDE, is often how a diagnosis and eligibility for EIDBI are established in the first place. Getting a diagnosis in Minnesota
Is there a waitlist?
It depends on the month and your child's needs, so we won't post a number here that's already out of date. Call us for a current answer — starting the intake process early is the best way to shorten any wait.
Can we do intake if both parents work during the day?
Yes. The intake meeting, the evaluation, and the treatment-plan conversation are usually done by telehealth — and can be in person if you prefer — so most families schedule them around work and school.
Can we switch between in-home and center-based therapy later?
Yes. You choose one setting to start, and if it isn't working you and your BCBA can move to the other one — talk to us any time. What we don't do is run both at once: your child's program lives in a single setting, so a change is a switch, not a split. How in-home therapy works
Not sure where to start? That's okay. Most families aren't.
Call us. We'll help you figure out eligibility, coverage, and next steps. The first conversation needs no paperwork at all.