Starting ABA therapy in Texas is simpler than most families expect. At Olive Branch ABA, we guide Houston and Austin families through every step — from your child’s first assessment to their first therapy session. If your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Olive Branch ABA is currently accepting new clients in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Step 1: Get a Formal Autism Diagnosis
Before starting ABA therapy, your child needs a formal ASD diagnosis from a licensed psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or psychiatrist. This diagnosis is required by insurance companies in Texas to approve ABA therapy coverage. If you need help finding a diagnostician in Houston or Austin, our team at Olive Branch ABA can point you in the right direction.
Step 2: Verify Your Insurance Coverage
Texas law (Texas Insurance Code §1355.015) requires many health plans regulated in Texas to cover ABA therapy for children with autism. Olive Branch ABA accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Ambetter (Superior HealthPlan), plus Texas Medicaid through BCBS of Texas, Superior HealthPlan and Aetna. Call our office and we will verify your insurance for you at no cost. Learn more about the insurance plans we accept at Olive Branch ABA.
Step 3: Contact Olive Branch ABA
Learn what to expect in your child’s first ABA session. Call us or fill out our online intake form. Our bilingual team — including Spanish-speaking staff — will gather basic information about your child and schedule your initial consultation. Families in Houston and Austin typically hear back from us within one business day.
Step 4: Complete the Initial Assessment
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) from Olive Branch ABA will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your child. This evaluation identifies your child’s strengths, areas for growth, and specific therapy goals. When a BCBA is available near you, we come to your home for the assessment right away. If not, you can choose a telehealth assessment, which is quicker, or wait a little longer for an in-person assessment in your home.
Step 5: Receive Your Child’s Treatment Plan
Based on the assessment, your child’s BCBA at Olive Branch ABA designs a fully personalized treatment plan. This plan outlines therapy goals, recommended hours per week, and the specific strategies your child’s therapy team will use.
Step 6: Begin Therapy
Your child begins ABA therapy sessions with a trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) supervised by their BCBA. At Olive Branch ABA, we serve families across Houston, Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to start ABA therapy at Olive Branch ABA?
There is no waitlist. Begin therapy in as little as 2–4 weeks once your paperwork is complete. Our team works quickly to get your child started.
Do I need a referral to start ABA therapy?
You do not need a referral in most cases. You do need a formal autism diagnosis. Contact Olive Branch ABA and our team will walk you through exactly what is needed for your insurance plan.
What if my child is on a waitlist at another provider?
Contact Olive Branch ABA now. We are actively accepting new clients in Houston and Austin and may be able to get your child started sooner than you expect. Read more about what ABA therapy is and how it works.
Does Olive Branch ABA offer in-home ABA therapy?
Yes. Olive Branch ABA provides in-home ABA therapy only, in the Houston and Austin areas of Texas. Sessions take place at home and in community places like parks and stores. Outside those areas, your child’s RBT still works with them in person and the BCBA supervises by telehealth.
What age does Olive Branch ABA serve?
We serve children from age 2 through 18 across Houston and Austin, Texas.