Does my child need to have a formal autism diagnosis to get treatment?

An autism diagnosis is not required to receive ABA therapy, but it is usually required in order for the cost to be covered by medical insurance. While most private insurance companies require a formal autism diagnosis to qualify for coverage of ABA therapy, there are some insurance policies that only require that ABA therapy be prescribed by a physician. If a family would like to try ABA therapy without a formal diagnosis, they can choose to pay out of pocket, but this can be cost-prohibitive for many families. While ABA therapy is most commonly prescribed for people diagnosed with autism, research has shown that ABA therapy can also be an effective treatment for other developmental disorders. Consult your child’s physician to see if ABA therapy is an option for your child.