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10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Tempe, AZ (2026)

Compare 14 ABA providers serving Tempe. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.

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Other ABA Providers in Tempe

Thrive Autism - Tempe logo
3

Thrive Autism - Tempe

Listed
Tempe, AZ

Our Tempe clinic on East Elliot Road is a safe, sensory-friendly space where children with autism work toward meaningful goals through ABA therapy. Every plan uses proven ABA strategies and is tailored to a child's needs, goals, and learning style. Families can choose center-based therapy at the clinic or in-home services, depending on what fits their child best. We keep parents closely involved with clear communication and caregiver support, track goals consistently, and adjust plans as children grow. Our clinic also serves families from Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Autism spectrum disorder

All About ABA

Listed
Serving Tempe, AZ
Ages:Ages 0-18

We provide home-based ABA therapy for children and families in Arizona, including San Tan Valley. Programs use individualized goals and caregiver involvement to build communication, social, and daily living skills.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Individual Therapy
  • Group Therapy
Horizon ABA - Chandler
2

Horizon ABA - Chandler

Listed
Serving Tempe, AZ

Horizon ABA is a BCBA-led team based in Chandler that brings personalized, evidence-based ABA therapy to children with autism where they spend their days. Every child receives an individualized treatment plan built around specific needs, strengths, and family goals. We work with children at home, in school, and in the community, helping them build communication, social, and behavioral skills they use every day. Families in Chandler, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, and nearby East Valley communities get a consistent team and one provider for their child's ABA care.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Autism spectrum disorder

Nearby therapy options

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Planning guides

Plan your next ABA provider call in Tempe

Use these guides before you ask about intake, insurance, school coordination, parent training, or waitlists.

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Why Choose ABA Therapy in Tempe?

Tempe sits in the middle of the East Valley, so families looking for ABA therapy for an autistic child usually compare clinics in Tempe with options in Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix. Three public districts split the city by age and address: Tempe Elementary and Kyrene for younger children, and Tempe Union for grades 9 through 12. ABA itself runs through AHCCCS or a commercial health plan.

Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Tempe

In Maricopa County, six AHCCCS Complete Care plans cover ABA when it is medically necessary: Arizona Complete Health, Banner-University Family Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice, Mercy Care, Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Compare Tempe programs with ABA therapy in Chandler and ABA therapy in Mesa, and use the ABA intake checklist to keep notes on each one.

When exploring special needs educational programs alongside behavioral therapy, families in Tempe often find that coordinated services produce the best outcomes.

Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Tempe

Arizona's autism coverage law, often called Steven's Law, appears in parallel sections of the insurance code for each type of insurer: A.R.S. 20-826.04 (hospital and medical service corporations), 20-1057.11 (health care services organizations), 20-1402.03 (group disability insurers) and 20-1404.03 (blanket disability insurers). These plans may not exclude or deny coverage, or impose dollar limits, deductibles or coinsurance, based solely on an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, and they must cover medically necessary behavioral therapy, including applied behavior analysis. A licensed or certified provider must provide or supervise the therapy. The current statute sets no age limit and no dollar cap, though plans may still apply their normal deductibles, coinsurance and other contract terms. The law does not apply to individual policies, small employer plans (2 to 50 employees), limited benefit coverage, or services received outside Arizona, and self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead. AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, covers Behavior Analysis Services for members with autism spectrum disorder and other diagnoses when medically necessary, under AHCCCS Medical Policy 320-S. A licensed behavior analyst directs the services under an individualized treatment plan and issues progress reports at least every six months. Families seeking additional support may find valuable resources through Arizona's special needs resource directory.

Arizona Autism Support Programs and Regulations

The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), run by the Department of Economic Security under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, supports infants and toddlers under age 3 with disabilities or developmental delays. Families can apply online through DES or by phone. Early intervention is free to families: with written consent, AzEIP may bill private insurance or AHCCCS, but families pay nothing beyond existing premiums. At age 3, children who still need support move to preschool special education through the local school district, which also runs Child Find evaluations for older children. Arizona law (A.R.S. 36-551) lists autism as a qualifying condition for the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities when the disability began before age 18 and causes substantial limitations in three or more major life areas. Students with a disability can also use an Empowerment Scholarship Account for educational therapies. The Department of Education's ESA Parent Handbook lists ABA from a credentialed provider, such as a BCBA, as an approved therapy, and ESA funds can cover the portion insurance does not pay. When exploring specialized educational programs to complement ABA therapy, Tempe families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.

Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Tempe is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 14 therapy providers serving the Tempe area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Tempe providers offer comprehensive parent training, ensuring that therapeutic strategies extend seamlessly into daily life. With Arizona's strong insurance protections and regulatory framework supporting autism treatment, families in Tempe can confidently access high-quality, evidence-based ABA therapy services designed to help children reach their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions About ABA Therapy in Tempe

How do we pick the best ABA therapy provider in Tempe?
Compare four facts. Is the provider in network with your exact AHCCCS or commercial plan? Who is the supervising BCBA, and how many hours a week will that person spend with your child? Does the program use a center, your home, or both? Can it staff the hours your family needs, given school and commute? Check the BCBA on the BACB registry.
How long are ABA wait lists in Tempe?
No provider publishes an East Valley figure, so ask each clinic where your child would sit and what step is holding things up. Delays usually come from BCBA availability for the first assessment, prior authorization from your health plan, and technician staffing at after-school hours. Ask whether a clinic in Chandler or Mesa run by the same provider has earlier openings, and join two or three lists.
Which AHCCCS plans cover ABA for a Tempe child with autism?
All six AHCCCS Complete Care plans in Maricopa County cover medically necessary ABA. Your plan reviews the prior authorization request, which the provider submits after its assessment; AHCCCS proposed 2026 rules that would require approval before sessions start. A DDD member who is also ALTCS-eligible gets ABA through a DDD health plan, Mercy Care or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and a Support Coordinator helps seek services. Ask each Tempe clinic which plans it contracts with before intake.
Does Arizona require private insurance to cover ABA?
Steven's Law, A.R.S. 20-826.04, bars covered plans from denying medically necessary behavioral therapy, including ABA, and from setting autism-based dollar limits, deductibles or coinsurance. A licensed or certified provider must deliver or supervise the therapy. The law does not apply to individual or small-employer contracts or limited benefit coverage. Ask HR whether a large-employer plan is self-funded.
What should we look for at an ABA center in Tempe?
Visit during sessions, not after hours. Watch how many children each technician works with, whether a BCBA is on the floor, and whether your child would practice play and communication with peers. Ask how the center handles a hard day and reports data to parents. If the drive across the US 60 or Loop 101 at pickup time does not fit your week, ask whether the same team offers in-home hours.
How do we get an autism diagnosis in Tempe before starting ABA?
Book the evaluation and the first ABA calls together. Your pediatrician screens and refers you to a developmental pediatrician or psychologist in your AHCCCS or commercial network. Expect the ABA provider to need that report before its own assessment, because AHCCCS prescribes ABA only after a qualified behavioral health professional assesses the child. Ask the evaluator to send you the written report, then forward it to each provider.
Where does a Tempe family start if a child is under 3?
Refer to AzEIP, the Arizona Early Intervention Program, for any Tempe child under 36 months with a significant delay or an established condition; a parent or doctor can use the state's online form. Within 45 days of that referral, AzEIP completes the evaluation, decides eligibility and holds the first family service plan meeting. Those steps and service coordination are free to families. You do not need to wait for AzEIP before starting ABA intake.
Which Tempe district handles a school evaluation?
It depends on the child's age and address. Tempe Elementary School District runs Child Find for residents in its boundaries, including preschool screenings, while part of the city falls in Kyrene School District. For grades 9 through 12, Tempe Union High School District screens any resident student on request, starting with the school psychologist. Confirm your district by address, then send a dated written evaluation request.

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