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ABA Therapy Centers in Arkansas

Compare ABA providers across Arkansas, from Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas to Jonesboro, and learn how Medicaid approval, the Autism Waiver and Act 196 insurance fit together.

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Bentonville

4 ABA providers

Little Rock

3 ABA providers

Springdale

3 ABA providers

Greenbrier

2 ABA providers

Jonesboro

1 ABA provider

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ABA therapy and autism supports in Arkansas

Arkansas Medicaid covers ABA for children from 18 months to 21 years who are enrolled in Child Health Services (EPSDT), and Acentra approves the hours before therapy starts. Private insurance follows Act 196 of 2011, which requires ABA coverage on regulated group plans but sets a $50,000 annual limit and an under-18 age limit. The Autism Waiver is a separate Medicaid program for ages 18 months to 5, and a child cannot receive waiver services and Medicaid ABA at the same time.

Special Needs Care Network lists 7 ABA providers serving 5 cities in Arkansas.

Medicaid ABA
Covered from 18 months to 21 years for children in Child Health Services (EPSDT), with prior authorization from Acentra.
Autism insurance law
Act 196 of 2011 (Ark. Code § 23-99-418) covers ABA with a $50,000 annual limit for children under 18.
Autism diagnosis for Medicaid
Two of three licensed clinician types (physician, psychologist, speech-language pathologist) must agree on the diagnosis.
Early Intervention
First Connections serves birth to age three; call 1-800-643-8258 or refer online.
Waiver
The Autism Waiver serves ages 18 months to 5, and DHS notes a waitlist for slots.
Behavior analyst registration
The Arkansas Psychology Board registers board certified behavior analysts under Act 432 of 2025.

Medicaid ABA through Child Health Services (EPSDT)

A child qualifies for Medicaid ABA with an autism diagnosis, enrollment in Child Health Services (EPSDT), and an age between 18 months and 21 years. The primary care physician (PCP) signs an evaluation referral, the ABA provider assesses the child, and the PCP then signs a treatment prescription. Acentra gives prior authorization for the assessment and again for the therapy hours. A DDS pre-approval letter is no longer required.

  • Diagnosis: two of three licensed clinician types (physician, psychologist, speech-language pathologist) must agree.
  • Prescription length: up to six months for ages 18 months to 8 years, up to twelve months for ages 8 to 21.
  • One provider delivers all ABA services; you can still change providers.

Act 196 and private insurance

Act 196 of 2011 (Ark. Code § 23-99-418) requires group and blanket health plans issued in Arkansas to cover autism diagnosis and treatment, including ABA provided or supervised by a board certified behavior analyst. The statute limits ABA to $50,000 a year and to children under 18, bars visit limits, and keeps deductibles and coinsurance no less favorable than for physical illness. It excludes individual major medical plans. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules, so ask HR whether your plan is fully insured in Arkansas.

Autism Waiver and the CES Waiver

The Autism Waiver gives one-on-one intensive early intervention at home or in the community to children from 18 months to 5 years. A child must start before the fifth birthday and can receive up to three years of services. DHS notes a waitlist for slots. The Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver serves people of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities, also with a waitlist. Start both with DDS Intake and Referral at 501-683-5687.

First Connections from birth to three

First Connections is Arkansas's Part C early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, from birth to 36 months. Parents, grandparents and family friends can all make a referral, and the child does not need a diagnosis, only a suspected delay. Call 1-800-643-8258 or use the online referral form.

Behavior analyst registration in Arkansas

Act 432 of 2025 created the Arkansas Behavior Analyst Registration Act (Ark. Code § 17-97-601 et seq.). The Arkansas Psychology Board registers board certified behavior analysts to practice independently, with a two-year registration term. Arkansas calls this registration rather than a license. Arkansas Medicaid separately requires its supervising behavior analysts to hold BCBA certification in good standing from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Education Freedom Accounts

The Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, run by the Department of Education for the 2026-2027 school year, funds approved education expenses. The department lists private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring and educational therapies among them. Call the EFA office at 501-683-1876 to confirm whether a specific school or therapy qualifies before you pay for it.

Where Arkansas families find ABA

ABA supply clusters in Northwest Arkansas around Bentonville and Springdale, and in the Little Rock area, with smaller markets in Greenbrier and Jonesboro. Medicaid allows only protocol modification and family treatment sessions by telemedicine; direct therapy must be in person. Distance to the clinic or the therapist's travel range decides who can serve you.

  • ABA therapy in Bentonville

    Benton County in Northwest Arkansas; families on Medicaid get ABA prior authorization through Acentra, the same as statewide.

  • ABA therapy in Little Rock

    DHS lists the Dennis Developmental Center at 501-364-1830 for team autism evaluations.

  • ABA therapy in Springdale

    Washington County; DHS lists the Schmieding Developmental Center (479-750-0125, option 2) for Northwest Arkansas team autism evaluations.

  • ABA therapy in Greenbrier

    Faulkner County, north of Little Rock; Medicaid families can use any enrolled provider they choose.

  • ABA therapy in Jonesboro

    A northeast Arkansas market; ask about travel range, since direct therapy cannot be delivered by telemedicine.

Where to start in Arkansas

  1. Book a visit with your child's Medicaid-assigned PCP, share your concerns, and ask for a referral to a developmental center or a licensed psychologist or speech-language pathologist for an autism evaluation.
  2. After the diagnosis, ask the PCP for the DMS-641 ER evaluation referral and choose an ABA provider that will request Acentra's prior authorization.
  3. For a child under three, call First Connections at 1-800-643-8258 while you wait for a clinic intake.
  4. Call DDS Intake and Referral at 501-683-5687 to ask about the Autism Waiver and CES Waiver waitlists.

Arkansas ABA therapy questions

How do you start Medicaid ABA therapy in Arkansas?

Get a valid autism diagnosis, then ask your child's Medicaid-assigned PCP for a DMS-641 ER evaluation referral. Choose an ABA provider, which requests Acentra's prior authorization for the assessment. After the assessment, the PCP signs a DMS-641 TP treatment prescription, and the provider asks Acentra to authorize the therapy hours. The child must be 18 months to 21 years old and enrolled in Child Health Services (EPSDT).

Who can diagnose autism for Arkansas Medicaid ABA?

Arkansas requires agreement from at least two of three licensed clinician types: a physician, a psychologist and a speech-language pathologist. A developmental center team evaluation can stand alone. If a psychologist or speech-language pathologist evaluates your child alone, the PCP must review the report and document agreement. DHS lists the Dennis Developmental Center at 501-364-1830 and the Schmieding Developmental Center at 479-750-0125, option 2.

Can my child get the Autism Waiver and Medicaid ABA together?

No. DHS rules prohibit a child who receives Autism Waiver services from also receiving ABA therapy services under Medicaid. The Autism Waiver covers ages 18 months to 5, requires two of the three clinician types to confirm autism, and requires an institutional level of care. DHS notes a waitlist for slots, so ask DDS Intake at 501-683-5687 how your child's age affects the choice.

Does Act 196 cover ABA for a teenager in Arkansas?

The statute limits ABA coverage to children under 18 and to $50,000 a year, so ask your plan how it applies both limits to your child. Act 196 also excludes individual major medical plans, and self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead. For a teen enrolled in Child Health Services (EPSDT), Arkansas Medicaid covers ABA up to age 21.

What happens to ABA services when my child turns three in Arkansas?

Arkansas Medicaid ABA providers must refer a child under three to the local school district at least 90 days before the third birthday. First Connections serves children only until age three, and the school district takes over evaluation for special education. Keep your ABA provider and your district in the loop so no gap opens at age three.

Planning resources

ABA therapy waitlists

How to shorten the wait for an ABA intake.

ABA therapy through a Medicaid plan

What to ask before starting ABA on Medicaid.

Choose an autism therapy center

Questions to use when comparing clinical fit, staffing, and services.

ABA intake checklist

Bring the right coverage and clinical questions to an intake call.

ABA insurance appeal templates

Templates for requesting a clear coverage decision or review.

ABA therapy cost by state

Compare cost context and coverage questions for Arkansas.

Early intervention guide

How IDEA Part C services differ from clinic treatment and school services.

ABA first 30 days checklist

A practical record-keeping and communication checklist.

Primary sources

Last reviewed against the linked primary sources on October 18, 2026. Medicaid, CHIP, commercial insurance, self-funded employer plans, military coverage, waiver programs, and school services follow different rules. This page is general information, not legal, medical, or benefits advice.

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