Arvada provider guide, updated September 14, 2026

ABA Therapy Providers in Arvada for Newly Diagnosed Kids: 9 Compared

Seven of the nine providers below take children under 3, and four offer therapy in your home. Arvada has ABA centers on West 80th and West 64th avenues, and several in-home providers cover the city and nearby Westminster.

Budding Futures ABA publishes this guide. We list ourselves first because we can describe our own program in the most detail. The order is not a ranking, and every fact about another provider comes from that provider's own website or the state Medicaid list.

A young child playing with colorful blocks on the floor
9 providers

on Health First Colorado's behavioral therapy list name Arvada in their service area. This guide compares the ones parents of young children are most likely to call.

ABA therapy in Arvada: providers at a glance

Use this table to cross off providers fast. Start with the Under 3 and Setting columns, because age and setting rule out the most options for a newly diagnosed young child. Tap a name to jump to its full write-up.

"Not stated" means the provider's website did not say, not that the answer is no. "On the state list" means the provider appears on Health First Colorado's Pediatric Behavioral Therapies provider list. Checked September 14, 2026.
ProviderSettingAgesUnder 3Parent trainingHealth First ColoradoAvailabilityFits families who
1. Budding Futures ABA
Publisher of this guide
In-homeSchool
18 months to 18 years
From 18 months
Built into every plan, 10 to 20% of hours
On the state list
Says no waitlist
want therapy at home, starting as young as 18 months
2. Action Behavior Centers
Center
18 months to 8 years
From 18 months
BCBA family sessions twice a month
On the state list
Says no waitlist
want a center for a child 18 months to 8
3. Behavioral Innovations
CenterTelehealth
18 months to 10 years
From 18 months
Built into every plan
On the state list
Not stated
want a center that can diagnose and treat a child 18 months to 10
4. Rising Star Behavior Services
In-homeDaycare or community
14 months to 18 years
From 14 months
Yes
On the state list
Not stated
want a small in-home practice that starts at 14 months
5. Key Autism Services
In-homeCenterSchoolDaycare or communityTelehealth
From 6 months
From 6 months
Weekly parent and caregiver training
On the state list
Not stated
want in-home ABA that can start in the first year of life
6. The Treetop
In-home
From 18 months
From 18 months
Periodic parent training meetings
Website says yes
Not stated
want in-home ABA from 18 months with Medicaid accepted
7. Evoke Behavioral Health
Center
3 to 21 years
Yes
Parent groups and trainings
On the state list
Not stated
need intensive support for severe behavior in an older child
8. Colorado Autism
Center
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
want a center program with Spanish-speaking staff
9. Soar Autism Center
Center
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
Not stated
want ABA, OT, speech and diagnostics under one roof

Just diagnosed? Four things to decide before you start ABA therapy

New to ABA? ABA therapy, short for applied behavior analysis, is an evidence-based therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The goal is to help children communicate, play and get through daily routines with less struggle. Board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) assess each child against developmental milestones and write a personalized therapy plan, and registered behavior technicians (RBTs) work on the goals in it: communication, social skills and social interaction, daily living skills and behavior. Good providers individualize that plan and tailor it to your family, so it should look different from one child, and one Arvada provider, to the next.

Home, center or a mix

In-home ABA teaches skills where your child uses them: meals, bath time, bedtime. A center offers peers, a practice classroom and a set schedule. Some providers do both.

Does the provider take your child's age

On this list, seven of nine providers say they take children under 3, and some centers stop at age 5, 8 or 10. If your child is a toddler, ask this first, because it rules providers out fastest.

How you will pay

Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) covers behavioral therapy for eligible children when it is medically necessary, and an autism diagnosis is not required. With private insurance, ask the provider to check your exact plan before the first session. In Arvada, it is managed regionally by Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA).

How soon you can start

Waits change month to month. Ask two questions: is there a waitlist for the assessment, and is a therapist free at the hours your child needs in your ZIP code.

In-home ABA therapy or a center: which setting fits your child

If this sounds like your childLook atWhy
Most struggles happen at home: meals, sleep, potty training, getting dressedIn-homeThe therapist works on the routine in the place it happens.
Your child is 18 months to 3 and not in daycareIn-home or a toddler centerBoth work. Home keeps a young child in a familiar place; a center adds other kids.
You want peer play and a classroom-style dayCenter-basedCenters can run groups and practice-classroom programs a home cannot.
You need several hours of care away from home while you workCenter-basedA center schedule doubles as structured time out of the house.
A new adult at home is likely to upset your childCenter-based to startHome is some children's one safe space. Starting elsewhere can be gentler.
Your child is in preschool or school and struggles thereA provider that works with schoolsAsk whether they can support your child at school where the district allows it.

"In-home aba has saved my kids, and i am grateful to be able to observe all therapy so i know it isn't abusive."

a parent on r/Autism_Parenting, on Reddit

ABA therapy for children with autism in Arvada: the providers, one by one

Each write-up covers what ABA therapy for children looks like at that provider: setting, ages, parent involvement, insurance and availability, using only what the provider publishes. Budding Futures comes first because this is our site and we can describe our own program in the most detail; the rest follow in no particular order.

1Budding Futures ABA

Fits families who want therapy at home, starting as young as 18 months

Budding Futures brings ABA therapy to your home. There is no clinic to drive to. A registered behavior technician comes to your house, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) plans and supervises the work. Our therapists work with families across Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Golden. Here is our page on in-home ABA therapy in Arvada.

What therapy looks like for a young child

Our youngest clients are 18 months old, and we stay with families through age 18. With toddlers, most of the work is play. A therapist might build first words around bubbles, a snack or a favorite song, because that is where a two-year-old is paying attention. Therapy is built on play and assent. Breaks are part of the plan, and punishment-based techniques are not.

Parent coaching and the same therapist

Parent coaching is part of every plan, usually 10 to 20% of the hours. You learn the same prompts and routines the therapist uses, so progress keeps going after the session ends. The same technician works with your child session after session.

Who runs your child's plan

Clinical oversight is closer than the minimum rules require. A BCBA supervises about 20% of therapy hours, four times the BACB floor, under our Clinical Director, Rachel Blackburn, BCBA. Assessments use VB-MAPP and ABLLS-R, and session data goes into CentralReach the same day.

School, insurance and start times

For school-age kids we also work with schools. We reach out, ask for access and share goals with teachers when you say yes. Some districts let an outside therapist in and some do not. More on how that works: school-based ABA in Arvada.

Budding Futures accepts Health First Colorado (Medicaid) as Provider Types 83 and 84, plus Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem BCBS and TRICARE. We check your benefits for free before therapy starts. We do not balance-bill families, and most Health First Colorado families pay $0 out of pocket. We have no waitlist. Intake usually takes a couple of weeks, and therapy starts once the insurance approval is back.

Setting
In-home, School
Ages
18 months to 18 years
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
Built into every plan, 10 to 20% of hours
Health First Colorado
On the state provider list
Availability
Website says no waitlist
Location
Therapists come to homes across Arvada

2Action Behavior Centers

Fits families who want a center for a child 18 months to 8

Action Behavior Centers runs center-based ABA for children 18 months to 8 years old. Its site says in-home therapy is only offered in Texas, so in Colorado this is a center program. Each child's BCBA leads Family Guidance sessions twice a month, the company offers autism diagnostic evaluations, and its site says there is no waitlist. Its center closest to Arvada is at 8330 West 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005.

Worth a call if you want a structured center with other kids, your child is under 9, and you may also need a diagnosis.

From Action Behavior Centers's website (source 1, source 2, source 3), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
Center
Ages
18 months to 8 years
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
BCBA family sessions twice a month
Health First Colorado
On the state provider list
Availability
Website says no waitlist
Nearest location
8330 West 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005

3Behavioral Innovations

Fits families who want a center that can diagnose and treat a child 18 months to 10

Behavioral Innovations runs one-to-one, center-based ABA for children 18 months to 10 years, with parent training as a standard part of the program. It offers diagnostic evaluations, accepts Medicaid and has Spanish-speaking staff. An intake advocate checks insurance the same day you reach out. Its center closest to Arvada is at 14950 West 64th Avenue, Unit C, Arvada, CO 80007.

Worth a call if you want testing and therapy from one provider and a quick insurance answer.

From Behavioral Innovations's website (source 1, source 2, source 3), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
Center, Telehealth
Ages
18 months to 10 years
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
Built into every plan
Health First Colorado
On the state provider list
Availability
Not published
Nearest location
14950 West 64th Avenue, Unit C, Arvada, CO 80007
A child's hand placing pieces on a shape sorter

4Rising Star Behavior Services

Fits families who want a small in-home practice that starts at 14 months

Rising Star Behavior Services provides in-home ABA for ages 14 months to 18 years, with no clinic. Owner and Clinical Director Star London, BCBA, has provided ABA services since 2003. Care is described as trauma-informed and play-based. Its office closest to Arvada is at Arvada, CO 80005.

Worth a call if you want a small, owner-led practice that comes to your home.

From Rising Star Behavior Services's website (source 1, source 2, source 3), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
In-home, Daycare or community
Ages
14 months to 18 years
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
Yes
Health First Colorado
On the state provider list
Availability
Not published
Nearest location
Arvada, CO 80005

5Key Autism Services

Fits families who want in-home ABA that can start in the first year of life

Key Autism Services works with children from 6 months old, at home and at its Centennial center, which has 14 therapy rooms, a sensory gym and a mock classroom. Parents get weekly training sessions. It accepts Medicaid and major commercial plans.

Worth a call if your child is very young and you want in-home therapy with a center option in the metro.

From Key Autism Services's website (source 1, source 2, source 3), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
In-home, Center, School, Daycare or community, Telehealth
Ages
From 6 months
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
Weekly parent and caregiver training
Health First Colorado
On the state provider list
Availability
Not published

6The Treetop

Fits families who want in-home ABA from 18 months with Medicaid accepted

The Treetop provides in-home ABA in Colorado for children from 18 months, with Medicaid accepted. Parents get updates after each session and periodic training meetings. The company came under new ownership in 2025 and now operates in 13 states.

Worth a call if you want therapy at home and are comfortable with a larger multi-state company.

From The Treetop's website (source 1, source 2, source 3), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
In-home
Ages
From 18 months
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
Periodic parent training meetings
Health First Colorado
Website says it accepts Medicaid
Availability
Not published

7Evoke Behavioral Health

Fits families who need intensive support for severe behavior in an older child

Evoke Behavioral Health in Arvada is licensed as both an ABA center and a day treatment program for ages 3 to 21. It runs a Severe Behavior Treatment Program, an intensive outpatient option. Its center closest to Arvada is at 7750 Harlan St., Arvada, CO.

Worth a call if your child is 3 or older and behavior is severe enough that weekly sessions are not enough.

From Evoke Behavioral Health's website (source 1), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
Center
Ages
3 to 21 years
Under 3
Yes
Parent involvement
Parent groups and trainings
Health First Colorado
On the state provider list
Availability
Not published
Nearest location
7750 Harlan St., Arvada, CO

8Colorado Autism

Fits families who want a center program with Spanish-speaking staff

Colorado Autism is the Colorado location of Arizona Autism United, with a center in Arvada. It provides center-based ABA focused on communication, social skills and emotional regulation, and has Spanish-speaking services. Its center closest to Arvada is at 9830 W 59th Pl, Arvada, Colorado 80004.

Worth a call if you prefer a center setting and Spanish-language support matters to your family.

From Colorado Autism's website (source 1), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
Center
Ages
Not stated
Under 3
Not stated
Parent involvement
Not stated
Health First Colorado
Not stated
Availability
Not published
Nearest location
9830 W 59th Pl, Arvada, Colorado 80004

9Soar Autism Center

Fits families who want ABA, OT, speech and diagnostics under one roof

Soar Autism Center offers ABA, occupational therapy, speech therapy, diagnostics and medical services at each center. Its ABA is based on the Early Start Denver Model, a play-based approach, and its clinicians pursue ESDM certification. Its center closest to Arvada is at 6750 W 52nd Ave, Suite G, Arvada, CO 80002.

Worth a call if your child needs a diagnosis or several therapies and you want one center to handle it.

From Soar Autism Center's website (source 1, source 2, source 3), checked September 14, 2026.

Setting
Center
Ages
Not stated
Under 3
Not stated
Parent involvement
Not stated
Health First Colorado
Not stated
Availability
Not published
Nearest location
6750 W 52nd Ave, Suite G, Arvada, CO 80002

What ABA therapy services in Arvada publish, counted

We counted what the nine Arvada providers on this page say on their own websites. These counts describe this list, not every provider in Arvada.

Take children under 37 of 9
Offer therapy in your home4 of 9
Offer therapy at a center6 of 9
Describe parent training on their site7 of 9
Publish anything about a waitlist2 of 9
Appear on the Health First Colorado provider list6 of 9

Counts include Budding Futures. "Publish anything about a waitlist" means the site says there is, or is not, a waitlist; two say there is none. Separately, 9 providers on the state's Pediatric Behavioral Therapies list name Arvada in their service area, and 14 more name only the county.

Autism therapy and care for children under 3 in Arvada

Start Early Intervention Colorado at the same time

Early Intervention Colorado is the state's free program for children under 3, with no income limit. For the Jefferson County side of Arvada, the local agency is Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) (303-233-3363). For the Adams County side of Arvada, the local agency is Rocky Mountain Human Services (303-247-8423). Arvada spans two counties. Most of the city is Jefferson County and routes to DDRC in Lakewood. The eastern strip in Adams County routes to Rocky Mountain Human Services instead, so check your county before you call. Anyone can refer, including you, through the state's online referral form.

Early intervention and ABA can run side by side. The state coordinator writes the family service plan, the ABA provider writes the behavior plan, and with your permission the two share goals. See how that works in practice: early intervention ABA in Arvada.

At age 3, the school side takes over. Jeffco Public Schools' Child Find office is physically in Arvada, at 6500 Oak Street (303-982-7247), and it evaluates children 3 to 5 at no cost.

If your child has Health First Colorado, the state's behavioral therapy benefit does not require an autism diagnosis when therapy is medically necessary. Arvada is in Jefferson County, with the east edge of the city in Adams County, where Medicaid is managed regionally by Colorado Community Health Alliance (CCHA).

A young child playing with colorful blocks on the floor

How to get started with ABA therapy in Arvada

Most families in Arvada go through the same five steps, whichever provider they pick. Knowing them ahead of time makes the first calls shorter and can help your child start sooner.

  1. Get the referral paperwork readyKeep the diagnostic report if you have one. Health First Colorado does not require an autism diagnosis for behavioral therapy when it is medically necessary, but a private plan may ask for one, so check yours.
  2. Ask for a benefits checkCall two or three providers from this list. Each one should check your coverage for free and tell you what you will owe before anything is scheduled.
  3. The BCBA assessmentA BCBA meets your child, watches play and routines, and often uses a skills assessment such as VB-MAPP or ABLLS-R. You talk through your goals for the family.
  4. Prior authorizationThe provider sends a treatment plan to your insurer. With Health First Colorado, a Prior Authorization Request goes to the state's review vendor, and you get a letter with the decision and your appeal rights.
  5. First sessionsThe first weeks are mostly getting to know each other. Expect play, short sessions that grow longer, and your first parent coaching.

Questions to ask ABA therapy providers on the first call

Every child with autism is different, so the right answers depend on yours. Write them down for every provider you call; side by side, the differences get obvious fast.

  • Do you work with children my child's age, and what is the youngest age you take?
  • Is there a waitlist for the assessment, and for a therapist at the hours we need?
  • Will therapy happen at home, at your center or both?
  • Who is the BCBA or lead clinician on my child's case, and how often will they see my child?
  • How is parent and caregiver training scheduled, and is it required?
  • Will my child keep the same technician from week to week?
  • Can you check my Health First Colorado or private plan for free before we start?
  • How will you show me my child's progress?
  • What does a session look like for a two- or three-year-old?
  • Can my child take breaks or say no during a session?

Frequently asked questions about ABA therapy in Arvada

Which ABA providers in Arvada take toddlers under 3?
On this list, Budding Futures ABA, Action Behavior Centers, Behavioral Innovations, Rising Star Behavior Services, Key Autism Services, The Treetop and Evoke Behavioral Health say they work with children under 3. Ages change, so confirm the youngest age each one takes when you call.
Which ABA providers come to your home in Arvada?
Based on their websites, Budding Futures ABA, Rising Star Behavior Services, Key Autism Services and The Treetop offer in-home ABA. Some also run centers, so ask which setting has openings for your child's age.
Do I need an autism diagnosis to start ABA therapy in Arvada?
Not with Health First Colorado. The state's behavioral therapy benefit covers eligible children when therapy is medically necessary, with or without an autism diagnosis. Private plans may ask for one. If you still need an evaluation, Action Behavior Centers, Behavioral Innovations and Soar Autism Center list diagnostic services on their sites.
Is there a waitlist for ABA therapy in Arvada?
On their websites, Budding Futures ABA and Action Behavior Centers say there is no waitlist. The rest do not say. Ask about two waits: the assessment, and a therapist at the hours you need.
How much does ABA therapy cost in Arvada?
It depends on coverage. Health First Colorado covers medically necessary behavioral therapy for eligible children, and Budding Futures says most Health First Colorado families pay $0 out of pocket. Most providers accept several insurance plans. What you pay depends on your deductible and coverage, so ask each provider for a free benefits check before the first session.

How we built this list

We started with Health First Colorado's Pediatric Behavioral Therapies provider list and the providers that show up when Arvada parents search for ABA or autism therapy. We kept providers with a location in or near Arvada, or a service page naming it, and read each one's website on September 14, 2026. Every fact about another provider matches text on its own site. If a site did not say something, the table says "Not stated." Providers change hours, ages and insurance often, so confirm details when you call.

  1. Action Behavior Centers: website
  2. Behavioral Innovations: website
  3. Rising Star Behavior Services: website
  4. Key Autism Services: website
  5. The Treetop: website
  6. Evoke Behavioral Health: website
  7. Colorado Autism: website
  8. Soar Autism Center: website
  9. Health First Colorado: Pediatric Behavioral Therapies provider list and benefit page

Talk to a BCBA about your child in Arvada

Tell us your child's age and what you are seeing at home. We will check your insurance for free and tell you honestly whether in-home ABA is the right fit, even if another provider on this list suits you better.

Or call (720) 613-8837

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