Part-Time ABA Therapy in Colorado
Budding Futures provides part-time applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy in Colorado: fewer hours per week, aimed at the goals that matter most, at home after school, in the evening or on weekends.
- Medicaid accepted
- Evenings until 8 PM
- BCBA-led
- No waitlist right now
Part-time ABA at a glance
| What it is | ABA at fewer hours a week, aimed at a few goals (often called focused ABA) |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in school or a half-day preschool, or a child with one or two main goals |
| When | After school, evenings until 8 PM, and weekends |
| Where | At home; daycare, preschool or the community when the setting allows |
| Hours | Set by the BCBA's assessment and approved by your plan, then adjusted as goals change |
| Who | The same RBT each week, guided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA); Rachel Blackburn, BCBA writes every plan |
| Coverage | Health First Colorado, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser, TRICARE |
| Wait | No waitlist right now |
Part-time (focused) vs full-time (comprehensive) ABA
Focused ABA works on a few target goals at fewer hours per week; comprehensive ABA works across a wide range of areas at more hours a week.
| Focused (part-time) | One to a few goals, such as meltdowns, potty training, a morning routine or asking for help; fits around school |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive (full-time) | Many skill areas at once (talking, play, social skills, daily living, behavior) at more hours a week |
| Who decides | The BCBA recommends a level after the assessment; you and your plan approve it |
Does part-time ABA still work?
ABA is an evidence-based therapy, and in research both more hours and more months of therapy went with more skills learned. Your BCBA weighs that against your child's goals and school day.
- In a study of 1,468 children aged 18 months to 12 in eight states, including Colorado, children averaged 58.80 hours of ABA a month (Linstead et al., 2017)
- The same study found "treatment intensity and duration were both significant predictors of mastered learning objectives across all eight treatment domains"
What a part-time week looks like
- Sessions after school or in the evening, at home, on the days that work for you
- Weekend sessions when weekday afternoons are full
- Parent coaching in 10 to 20% of hours, so practice happens between sessions
- In-school support where the school allows it: see Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs
Does Medicaid cover part-time ABA?
Yes. Health First Colorado reviews the hours your provider requests and approves what it finds medically necessary (HCPF).
- Each approval lasts up to six months; your BCBA can ask for more or fewer hours at the next review
- No autism diagnosis is needed when a doctor says therapy is medically necessary
- Most families on Health First Colorado pay $0; private plans often range from about $0 to $500 out of pocket
- More detail: Medicaid ABA in Colorado and how many hours of ABA a child needs
How to start part-time ABA
- Call (720) 613-8837 or send the form with your child's age and school hours.
- We verify your Medicaid or insurance benefits, free.
- A BCBA assesses your child and recommends hours and goals.
- Sessions start at the times that fit your week, usually after school.
What families tell us
"Mark and the team at Budding Futures are truly the type of team I want to work with my child. Compassionate, driven, and they strive for excellence."
David Brody, verified Google review"The support they bring to the families is insane. You'll feel so supported and valued. They truly do care for these kids and I couldn't feel better anywhere else."
Bella Calvillo, verified Google review"My son loves his RBT Dani, she is a super star. As well as Mark and Rachel always keeping in check and checking in."
BadBry 48, verified Google reviewQuestions families ask about part-time ABA
Can my child go from part-time to full-time later?
Is part-time ABA the same as focused ABA?
Do you offer part-time ABA in my city?
Is part-time ABA enough for a toddler?
Ask about part-time ABA in Colorado
1. Call (720) 613-8837 or send the short form.
2. We verify your Medicaid or insurance benefits, free.
3. A BCBA assesses your child and sets the hours with you.
Share your child's age and school hours. A BCBA will talk through how many hours fit your week.