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Get the Services Your Child's Evaluation Recommends
Your child's evaluation report should include specific recommendations for therapies and services. Common therapies for children with autism or developmental disabilities include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech-language therapy, occupational therapy (OT), and developmental or play-based therapy. Each targets different skills: ABA focuses on behavior and adaptive skills, speech therapy addresses communication, and OT works on sensory processing, fine motor skills, and daily living activities. Start with your pediatrician. Ask for referrals to each recommended therapy. Then call your health insurance company and ask what is covered. As of 2025, all 50 states plus Washington D.C. have laws requiring health insurers to cover ABA therapy for autism, though coverage limits vary. If your insurance denies a service, you have the right to appeal — and you should. If you are in a state with a Regional Center system (like California) or a state Developmental Disabilities agency, contact them as well. These agencies can fund therapies that insurance does not cover. Waitlists for ABA providers can be 3 to 12 months long in many areas, so get on lists now even if you are not ready to start immediately. Ask each provider about cancellation lists — families frequently move to the top faster than expected.
Waitlists for ABA and speech therapy can exceed 6 months. Early intervention yields the strongest outcomes — research shows intensive early therapy before age 5 produces the greatest gains.