ABA Therapy for Level 2 Autism in Colorado
Budding Futures provides in-home ABA therapy for Colorado children with level 2 autism, with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) leading a plan built around communication, routines, and safety.
Level 2 is the "requiring substantial support" tier in the DSM-5. Your child may use few words or struggle to start social contact, and changes can be hard. We build the plan around the skills that open up the most of the day.
Hours come from a BCBA evaluation, not the level number. We handle Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and private insurance, with no waitlist right now.
Why Colorado families choose Budding Futures for level 2 autism
Our credentials and clinical standards
See how our team is licensed, screened, and Medicaid-enrolled on our quality and credentials page.
What level 2 autism means
Level 2 autism is the middle tier in the DSM-5, "requiring substantial support." Social communication is noticeably limited even with support in place, and repetitive behaviors or trouble with change are obvious to other people.
Many level 2 children use few words or need help to start interaction. The diagnosis rates support separately for social communication and for repetitive behaviors.
What ABA focuses on for level 2 autism
For level 2, ABA usually centers on functional communication, daily living skills, transitions, and reducing behaviors that get in the way, such as aggression or elopement.
Plans start from assessments like the VB-MAPP and ABLLS-R, stay assent-based, and are reviewed by Rachel Blackburn, BCBA. Nonverbal children often begin with a reliable way to communicate.
How many ABA hours does level 2 autism need?
Level 2 plans often involve more weekly hours than level 1, but the real answer comes from a BCBA assessment of your child, not the level label. We explain what we recommend and why, then adjust as your child makes progress.
Compare the autism support levels
| Level | DSM-5 term | What support looks like | Common ABA focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Requiring support | Talks and learns, but struggles with social back-and-forth, change, and staying organized. | Social skills, flexibility, emotional regulation |
| Level 2 | Requiring substantial support | Limited social communication even with help; repetitive behaviors and trouble with change are clear to others. | Functional communication, routines, reducing hard behaviors |
| Level 3 | Requiring very substantial support | Very limited speech; needs substantial help with communication, change, and daily tasks. | Communication systems, safety, self-care |
Related Budding Futures pages
If you are still mapping out care, these guides explain the next steps without turning the page into medical guesswork.
Level 2 autism ABA questions
What is the difference between level 1 and level 2 autism?
Level 2 means "requiring substantial support." Compared with level 1, social communication is more limited and repetitive behaviors or trouble with change are more obvious, even with help in place.
Can ABA help a level 2 child who uses few words?
Yes. A common early goal is functional communication, helping your child ask for what they need with speech, sign, PECS, or an AAC device.
How many ABA hours does level 2 autism need?
It depends on your child, not the level. Level 2 plans are often higher-hour, but your BCBA sets the recommendation after a full assessment.
Does Medicaid cover ABA for level 2 autism in Colorado?
Often yes, when it is medically necessary and authorized. We verify Health First Colorado or private benefits and handle prior authorization first.
Do you offer ABA for level 2 autism at home?
Yes. Budding Futures works in your home across Colorado so skills show up in real routines, with sessions concentrated in the Denver and Aurora metro.
Ready to start level 2 ABA therapy?
Tell us about your child and we will verify your insurance, schedule a BCBA evaluation, and start an in-home plan built around communication and daily routines.