10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Lakewood, CO (2026)
Compare 15 ABA providers serving Lakewood. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.
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Other ABA Providers in Lakewood
Blue Hive ABA - Colorado
VerifiedABA therapy in Denver, CO from Blue Hive ABA. Blue Hive ABA in Denver, CO provides personalized ABA therapy for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, delivered in the home, in schools, and at our Denver center. Our Denver team offers applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, in-home and in-school therapy, parent training, and school consultations.
- In-home
- School-based
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
Soar Autism Center — 2 locations
VerifiedWe specialize in ESDM-based, play-based therapy for young children with autism, delivered by an integrated in-house team of BCBAs, RBTs, speech, occupational, and mental health therapists plus medical support. With one of the highest numbers of ESDM-certified BCBAs in the U.S., we pair evidence-based care with strong family partnership, caregiver coaching, regular care-team meetings, and parent consultations to support progress at home.
- Medicaid
SoaringHigh ABA - Denver Metro
VerifiedSoaringHigh ABA provides applied behavior analysis therapy in Englewood and throughout Colorado for children and teens ages 2 to 21 on the autism spectrum. Our team delivers individualized ABA in the home, at school, in the community, and in clinic, with telehealth available for parent support and coaching. Each program is built around the learner's own goals, and families are partners in every plan. We accept most commercial insurance plans and Colorado Medicaid, and we are currently accepting new clients.
- Center-based
- In-home
- Medicaid
- Telehealth
Firefly Autism
ListedFirefly Autism is a dedicated institution that celebrates the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum by providing innovative, personalized care tailored to meet each individual's unique needs. Serving a diverse age range from 18 months to over 70 years, the school focuses on empowering students with various diagnoses, including language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. Firefly Autism employs a person-centered approach to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, utilizing assent-based and values-based practices that ensure clients' voices are heard and respected throughout their therapeutic journey. The center-based program offers tailored ABA therapy in a supportive environment designed for skill-building and growth, while outreach community programs extend vital autism support to schools and families across Colorado. Additionally, specialized services for adults promote independence and social skills development. What sets Firefly Autism apart is its commitment to low student-teacher ratios, fostering strong family partnerships, and providing expert guidance for inclusive classroom environments, all of which contribute to creating lasting connections within the community and transforming lives through comprehensive support.
Lakewood family guide
ABA Therapy in Lakewood, CO: What Families Should Know
ABA therapy in Lakewood is available in clinics, through in-home teams that work across Jefferson County, and through caregiver coaching, and because Denver sits just east along 6th Avenue, many families compare providers on both sides of Sheridan Boulevard. Children under 3 go to DDRC, Jefferson County’s early intervention program, with a free evaluation and no doctor’s referral needed, and children 3 and older can request a free evaluation through Jeffco Public Schools Child Find. Health First Colorado pays for ABA for members 20 and under with prior authorization, and state-regulated commercial plans must cover autism treatment, including ABA, under C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4).
ABA therapy options in Lakewood
Center-based ABA
From Green Mountain or Bear Creek, a clinic in Belmar or on Wadsworth Boulevard can be a short trip, while one across Denver adds a 6th Avenue commute several afternoons a week. Ask each clinic whether its open slots fall during school hours or after the Jeffco dismissal bell.
In-home ABA
In-home teams practice routines like meals, dressing, and bedtime in your own house, which helps families who would otherwise drive across the metro. Confirm that the provider staffs your part of Lakewood right now, especially along C-470 near the foothills.
School and daycare support
With permission from the program, some providers visit preschools or daycares to support a child. If your child is in a Jeffco preschool or has an IEP, ask how the ABA team will share goals with the school team.
Telehealth parent coaching
Video caregiver coaching lets parents practice strategies between sessions without another trip down Union Boulevard or Kipling Street. Look for parent goals and coaching hours written into the treatment plan.
Autism evaluations
Lakewood families usually go to Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics, which also schedules JFK Partners diagnostic assessments. Ask your pediatrician for the referral early, because insurance approval for ABA waits on that written report.
How to start ABA therapy in Lakewood
- 1
Confirm the diagnosis and coverage
Insurers and Colorado Medicaid authorize ABA after a licensed physician or psychologist diagnoses autism. Call the member number on your card and ask whether ABA needs prior authorization.
- 2
Compare Lakewood providers
Use the provider list on this page to check settings, ages served, and insurance. Shortlist two or three that fit your schedule and location.
- 3
Ask the intake questions that matter
Ask about current intake timing, in-network status for your exact plan, who writes the treatment plan, and how parent training works.
- 4
Get matched if you want help
Tell us your child's age, coverage, and preferred setting. We share options in and around Lakewood that fit. It is free for families.
Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Lakewood?
Medicaid in Jefferson County
Health First Colorado covers ABA through its Pediatric Behavioral Therapies benefit for members 20 and under when it is medically necessary. Your contracted provider assesses your child and submits a Prior Authorization Request to the state’s utilization management vendor, and each approval lasts up to six months. Jefferson County members belong to Region 3 of the Accountable Care Collaborative, run by Colorado Community Health Alliance (855-627-4685), for care coordination. For eligibility or enrollment questions, call the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center at 800-221-3943.
Private insurance
C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4) requires state-regulated health plans in Colorado to cover assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism for a child, including applied behavior analysis. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead, so ask your HR office whether your plan is self-funded before you rely on the state law.
Plans Lakewood families often ask about:
- Health First Colorado (Colorado Community Health Alliance, Region 3)
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Colorado
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
Colorado’s autism insurance law (C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4))
What state-regulated insurers cannot do
- Exclude autism treatment, including ABA, from a state-regulated health plan.
- Deny, refuse to renew, or restrict coverage because a child has an autism diagnosis or uses autism services.
- Set dollar limits, deductibles, or coinsurance for autism care that are less favorable than those for physical illness generally.
- Add authorization requirements that work to exclude autism treatment.
- Count therapy that is medically necessary for autism against the general 20-visit therapy limit in C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.7).
What still applies
- A licensed physician or licensed psychologist must prescribe or order treatment, based on a treatment plan from a comprehensive evaluation.
- Plans can still review medical necessity and require prior authorization that applies to other care.
- Your plan’s normal deductibles, copays, and coinsurance still apply.
- Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules, not the Colorado mandate.
Getting an autism diagnosis in Lakewood
For a Lakewood toddler, DDRC is the first call: the evaluation is free and no physician referral is needed. Once a child turns 3, the school route and the medical route run side by side. Jeffco Public Schools Child Find decides eligibility for school services, and a medical diagnostic report is what commercial insurers look for before approving ABA.
Under age 3
DDRC Early Intervention (Jefferson County)
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center runs early intervention for children from birth to age 3 in Jefferson, Clear Creek, Summit, and Gilpin counties. Evaluations are free and you do not need a doctor’s referral. DDRC’s office is at 11177 West 8th Avenue in Lakewood.
Evaluation
Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics
Evaluates children from infancy through adolescence, in a team setting or individual consultation, with clinics across the Children’s Colorado system. Ask your pediatrician about referral requirements before calling.
Evaluation
JFK Partners at CU Anschutz
Interdisciplinary and single-discipline evaluations with a focus on autism, from toddlers through adults. Diagnostic assessments are booked through Children’s Colorado Developmental Pediatrics at 720-777-6630; the JFK Partners main line is 303-724-5266.
School districts serving Lakewood families
Public schools evaluate children from age 3 at no cost through Child Find. ABA providers can coordinate with your child's IEP team. Compare special needs schools in Lakewood too.
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Jeffco Public Schools Child Find (ages 3 to 21)
Jeffco serves Lakewood. Call the Child Find team at 303-982-7247 or complete the referral form linked on the Child Find page; interpreters are available. The Child Find office is at Campbell Early Learning Center, 6500 Oak Street in Arvada.
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Jeffco Public Schools (private school and homeschool students)
If your child attends a private school, Child Find is usually handled by the district where you live, so Lakewood residents still start with Jeffco. Homeschooling families can contact the same Child Find team.
Autism in Lakewood by the numbers
- 1 in 31
- 8-year-olds identified with autism across 16 CDC monitoring sites
- About 3,450
- Estimated autistic children in Jefferson County
- 25,560
- Children under 18 living in Lakewood
- 2.7%
- Lakewood children under 18 with a disability
- 95.2%
- Lakewood children under 19 with health insurance
- 8.6%
- Lakewood residents age 5 and up who speak Spanish at home
- $89,792
- Median household income in Lakewood
- 13.0%
- Lakewood children under 18 living below the poverty line
CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2022 data published in 2025.
An estimate: 106,970 county residents under 18 divided by 31, not a count of diagnoses.
Census disability questions cover hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living, so this is broader than autism.
Ask providers whether they have Spanish-speaking BCBAs or technicians.
Many of these children qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, which cover ABA.
Sources: CDC ADDM Network (2022 surveillance year, MMWR April 2025); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B01001, B18101, B27010, C16001, B19013, B17020) for Lakewood city and Jefferson County. The county autism figure is an estimate, not a count.
Lakewood local numbers
What ABA therapy costs in Lakewood
Private-pay ABA in Colorado typically runs $135 to $200 an hour. The table multiplies that range by weekly hours (hours x 52 weeks / 12 months) to show a monthly bill before insurance. This is an illustration, not a quote: your bill depends on authorized hours, the mix of technician and BCBA time, and what your plan pays.
| Hours per week | At $135/hr | At $200/hr |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours | $5,850/mo | $8,667/mo |
| 20 hours | $11,700/mo | $17,333/mo |
| 30 hours | $17,550/mo | $26,000/mo |
Estimate your cost with insurance using your deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.
Colorado Medicaid ABA rate
Colorado Medicaid pays an ABA provider $17.20 for each 15-minute unit of technician-delivered ABA (CPT 97153), or $68.80 an hour, and $25.80 per unit when a BCBA or other qualified professional adjusts treatment (CPT 97155). This is what Medicaid pays providers, not a price families pay.
- 97153 per 15 minutes (One statewide rate)
- $17.20
- 97155 per 15 minutes (One statewide rate)
- $25.80
- Effective
- Oct 1, 2025; unchanged on the July 1, 2026 fee schedule
Fee-for-service rate from the Health First Colorado fee schedule, July 2026. Managed care plans negotiate their own rates with providers. Compare states in our Medicaid ABA spending and rates by state report.
How long is the ABA wait in Colorado?
In January to March 2022, TRICARE families in Colorado waited an average of 7 days from a verified referral to their first ABA appointment, 21 days shorter than TRICARE's 28-day access standard for specialty care. This figure covers military families only, comes from one 2022 snapshot, and does not promise a wait for any family today. See every published ABA wait time.
Source: Defense Health Agency, TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration report to Congress, Table 3 (April 2023; data January 1 to March 31, 2022).
Lakewood kids compared with Colorado and the US
| Measure | Lakewood | Colorado | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 18 with a disability | 2.7% | 3.9% | 4.9% |
| Children under 19 with health insurance | 95.2% | 94.8% | 94.5% |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0% | 11.1% | 16.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (ACS 2024 5-year), tables B18101, B27010, and B17020, via Census Reporter. Census disability questions cover hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living, so the disability rate is broader than autism.
Colorado autism identification vs the US
Colorado public schools served 10.30 children per 1,000 ages 5 to 21 under the IDEA autism category in 2024-25, about 1 in 97, below the national rate of about 1 in 64. School identification counts only children served in special education under the autism category, so it runs lower than the CDC's clinical estimate of 1 in 31 eight-year-olds. Compare autism rates in every state.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Section 618 child count, school year 2024-25, divided by Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population ages 5 to 21.
Lakewood autism resources for families
Advocacy & navigation
PEAK Parent Center
Colorado’s Parent Training and Information Center. Free coaching on Child Find, IEP meetings, and special education rights.
Early intervention
DDRC (Developmental Disabilities Resource Center)
Jefferson County’s early intervention program and local developmental disability agency, headquartered in Lakewood. Contact DDRC to request a free evaluation for a child under 3.
Diagnosis & evaluation
Children’s Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental and autism evaluations, including JFK Partners diagnostic assessments.
Autism support
Autism Society of Colorado
Statewide nonprofit with family support, events, and resource referrals. Office hours are by appointment.
Medicaid
Colorado Community Health Alliance (Health First Colorado Region 3)
The regional organization for Jefferson County Health First Colorado members. Call for care coordination and help locating behavioral health providers.
Medicaid
Health First Colorado Member Contact Center
Eligibility and enrollment questions, and how to find a provider contracted for behavioral therapies.
More questions about ABA therapy in Lakewood
Does a Lakewood toddler need a doctor’s referral for early intervention?
No. DDRC, which runs early intervention for Jefferson County from its Lakewood office, says families do not need a doctor’s referral to get started, and the evaluation is free. Call DDRC at 303-233-3363 to request an evaluation or developmental screening. Early intervention is separate from private ABA, so you can join ABA waitlists at the same time.
What happens if Health First Colorado denies an ABA request?
Your provider can ask for a peer-to-peer review, request a reconsideration by a different physician, or send a new request with more information. You can also file a written appeal with the Office of Administrative Courts, which must receive it within 30 calendar days of the Notice of Action. If the denial points to missing medical information, ask your provider to send a new request that includes it.
Where does Jeffco Child Find evaluate Lakewood preschoolers?
Jeffco Public Schools runs Child Find for ages 3 through 21 from the Campbell Early Learning Center at 6500 Oak Street in Arvada. Call 303-982-7247 or fill out the referral form on the district’s Child Find page; interpreters are available. A school evaluation decides IEP eligibility, which is separate from the medical diagnosis an insurer may want.
How many hours of ABA therapy does a child need each week?
It depends on the treatment plan. Focused programs that target a few skills often run 10 to 25 hours a week, while comprehensive programs for young children can run 30 to 40 hours. The supervising BCBA recommends hours after an assessment, and your insurer or Medicaid plan authorizes them.
What is the difference between a BCBA and an RBT?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) holds a graduate degree, assesses your child, writes and adjusts the treatment plan, and supervises the team. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) delivers most one-to-one sessions under that BCBA's supervision.
How long does ABA therapy take to show results?
Families often see early changes in the first few months, and the BCBA reviews progress data against goals at least every six months, which is also when most insurers reauthorize hours. Ask any provider how they share progress data with parents.
Do I need a referral to start ABA therapy?
Most plans require an autism diagnosis and a prescription or referral for ABA from a physician or psychologist, followed by prior authorization. Some commercial plans skip the referral step, so check your policy before your first intake call.
Reviewed 2026-10-22 against linked state and provider sources.
Nearby therapy options
Compare ABA therapy near Lakewood
Families often compare nearby cities when commute, availability, services, or age fit differ.
Planning guides
Plan your next ABA provider call in Lakewood
Use these guides before you ask about intake, insurance, school coordination, parent training, or waitlists.
Colorado Medicaid ABA therapy guide
How Health First Colorado covers pediatric behavioral therapy, the PAR process, and how to find a contracted provider.
Colorado CES Waiver guide
Waiver eligibility, covered services, and how to apply through a case management agency.
How to choose an autism therapy center
Questions to ask about BCBA supervision, intake, setting, parent training, and waitlists.
ABA therapy cost by state
Private-pay ranges, insurance mandates, and current Medicaid ABA rules for every state.
IEP process guide
Use this when therapy decisions overlap with school evaluations, supports, or placement.
Working in ABA?
See current ABA therapy jobs in Colorado on Special Needs Jobs, our job board for RBTs, BCBAs, and behavior technicians.
Why Choose ABA Therapy in Lakewood?
Lakewood, Colorado's fifth-largest city, sits in Jefferson County between the foothills and downtown Denver. Families seeking ABA therapy for an autistic child can choose among clinics inside the city and many more a short drive east in Denver. Applied behavior analysis works on functional skills and on behaviors that get in the way of daily life, and the public programs that help pay for or add to it are run through Jefferson County agencies.
Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Lakewood
For children under 3, Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC) runs Early Intervention for Jefferson, Clear Creek, Summit and Gilpin counties, with free evaluations and no doctor's referral required. From age 3, Jeffco Public Schools handles Child Find and offers district Autism (ASD), Affective Needs and Significant Support Needs programs. When you compare ABA providers, ask about BCBA supervision, how progress is measured and shared, and which hours are open after school. Medicaid families can read the Colorado Medicaid ABA therapy guide.
When exploring special needs educational programs alongside behavioral therapy, families in Lakewood often find that coordinated services produce the best outcomes.Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Lakewood
Colorado's autism insurance law, first enacted in 2009 as SB 09-244 and now codified at C.R.S. 10-16-104(1.4), requires all health benefit plans issued or renewed in Colorado to cover the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children. Covered treatment includes applied behavior analysis, behavior training and behavior management, psychiatric, psychological, and pharmacy care, and speech, occupational, and physical therapy from qualified autism services providers. A licensed physician or licensed psychologist must prescribe or order the treatment, under a treatment plan built from a comprehensive evaluation. The statute bars dollar limits, deductibles, or coinsurance for this coverage that are less favorable than those for physical illness generally, and plans may not exclude autism or add authorization requirements that operate to exclude it. Coverage is in addition to any services a child receives through an IFSP or IEP. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead, so confirm your plan type with your employer. Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, covers ABA as a pediatric behavioral therapy for members 20 and younger when the services meet the EPSDT medical necessity criteria. Denver-area and statewide therapy centers assist with prior authorization and claims. Families seeking additional support may find valuable resources through Colorado's special needs resource directory.
Colorado Autism Support Programs and Regulations
Early Intervention Colorado, run by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, is the state's IDEA Part C program for children from birth through age two with developmental delays or disabilities. Anyone with a concern can make a referral, and the local early intervention program arranges an evaluation and, for an eligible child, an Individualized Family Service Plan. As the third birthday approaches, the team plans the move to preschool special education. For children three through five, the local school district's Child Find team handles screening and evaluation under Colorado Department of Education rules, and eligible preschoolers receive services through an IEP. Colorado Universal Preschool, also run by the Department of Early Childhood, offers free preschool hours in the year before kindergarten. Many Denver and Front Range ABA providers coordinate with early intervention and school districts so handoffs to school-based services go more smoothly. When exploring specialized educational programs to complement ABA therapy, Lakewood families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.
Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Lakewood is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 15 therapy providers serving the Lakewood area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Lakewood providers offer comprehensive parent training, ensuring that therapeutic strategies extend seamlessly into daily life. With Colorado's strong insurance protections and regulatory framework supporting autism treatment, families in Lakewood 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 Lakewood
How long does it take to start ABA in Lakewood?
Does Health First Colorado cover ABA therapy for autism?
Does Colorado require private insurance to cover autism treatment?
Should we choose a center-based ABA clinic or in-home therapy in Lakewood?
Where can a Lakewood child get an autism diagnosis?
My child is under 3. Where do we start in Lakewood?
How does Jeffco Public Schools fit with outside ABA?
Should Lakewood families consider Denver ABA clinics too?
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