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10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Kennesaw, GA (2026)

Compare 39 ABA providers serving Kennesaw. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.

Adult and child writing together.
1

Gradual Behavioral Health

Premium
Serving Kennesaw, GAAges 0-17Accepting new clients

Gradual Behavioral Health provides in-home ABA therapy for children ages 2 to 18 across Georgia. Our therapists come to your home or your child’s daycare, so therapy fits into the routines your family already has. Meaghan Timko leads our clinical program. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 20 years in ABA. She builds each treatment plan around your child’s goals and trains every therapist on our team to deliver it with care and consistency. Getting started is fast. Our office handles the paperwork from start to finish, including insurance verification, authorizations, and scheduling. You focus on your child. We handle the rest. We work closely with your child’s pediatrician. We share progress, coordinate referrals, and keep everyone caring for your child on the same page. Gradual is a Georgia team serving Georgia families. Call us at 404-327-6405 to learn how we can help your child grow.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Telehealth
TricareAnthem+ 2 more
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Blossom ABA Therapy - Peachtree Corners cover
3

Blossom ABA Therapy - Peachtree Corners — 2 locations

Premium
2 Locations · Serving Kennesaw, GAAges 0-13Accepting new clients

At Blossom ABA Therapy in Peachtree Corners, we provide center-based ABA therapy for children with autism in a warm, structured setting. Our onsite team also provides speech and occupational therapy, coordinating services around each child's goals. Our clinic includes therapy rooms, sensory and movement spaces, play areas, and room for parents to be part of the process. Individualized sessions build communication, social, daily living, and school-readiness skills while family collaboration helps progress carry into home routines. We welcome families from Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Berkeley Lake, Johns Creek, Duluth, and surrounding Gwinnett and North Fulton communities.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy
Blue Cross Blue ShieldUnitedHealthcareAetnaCigna+ 8 more
Apricott ABA Therapy Center in Marietta, GA photo 2
5

Apricott ABA Therapy Center

Premium
Serving Kennesaw, GAAges 1-18Accepting new clients

Families in the Atlanta metro area can access Apricott in-home Applied Behavior Analysis services with clinical oversight from Board Certified Behavior Analysts and trained therapists. The Georgia regional hub is designated at 2470 Windy Hill Road SE in Marietta, supporting coordination of assessments, care planning, and ongoing services for learners across communities such as Atlanta, Alpharetta, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and surrounding neighborhoods. Apricott participates with major commercial insurers and Medicaid where applicable, with transparent eligibility support so families understand coverage before services begin. Greater Atlanta care is delivered primarily in home and community settings so therapy fits naturally into daily routines. Treatment emphasizes individualized goals, caregiver collaboration, and measurable progress across communication, adaptive skills, and everyday independence. Apricott maintains a BHCOE-accredited framework with typically quick turnaround and limited wait times compared with many regional providers. Apricott serves toddlers through adolescents, tailoring plans to each developmental stage. Parent participation is encouraged, with practical coaching so strategies carry over beyond scheduled sessions. Center-based options elsewhere in Georgia use the same organizational standards for quality and family communication when families explore multiple levels of care.

  • In-home
  • Medicaid
AetnaAmerigroupBlue Cross Blue ShieldCareSource+ 6 more

Other ABA Providers in Kennesaw

North Georgia Autism Center - Woodstock

Verified
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-18

We exist to solve the critical issues involving Autism Spectrum Disorder faced by both our clients and their families. Our unique approach to ASD is not only what differentiates us, but also what makes us successful. We provide a broad range of therapies, services and solutions to help facilitate change and support our clients.

  • Center-based
  • School-based
  • Medicaid

Progress ABA: Behavioral Consulting and Therapy Services, LLC

Verified
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-18

Our Goal is to provide highly effective treatment for children with autism and their parents by following a method scientifically proven to bring clear results. The method we use is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) based on extensive clinical peer reviewed research. We service families with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum 18 months to 18 years. Therapy addresses a variety of areas including language, cognitive, social, self-help (potty training, dressing, grooming, eating), gross motor & fine motor skills, play skills, and behavioral issues. Behavioral consultation includes ​skill assessment, functional behavioral assessment, treatment planning, parent training, and creating a behavior intervention plan (BIP). We are locally owned with a heavy emphasis on in family involvement, flexibility, intervening in natural environments (home, schools, daycares, and other community locations), and extensive Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) training. We provide individualized treatment with hours recommended based on thorough assessment (4-40 hours a week depending on level of need). Our goal is for the child/adolescent to become more independent, develop healthy relationships, and eventually fade services. Our Behavior Analysts provide in-person supervision so that we can give RBT's direct support and adjust plans as needed. We provide parent training to help families work with their own children.

  • Community-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Achievements ABA Therapy

Achievements ABA Therapy

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

Achievements ABA Therapy serves families in Kennesaw, Georgia with in-home, in-school, and in-daycare ABA and verbal behavior therapy. After intake and benefit verification, a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) completes an assessment and writes an individualized treatment plan. Therapy is delivered by trained ABA therapists, often starting at home, with treatment also available at school or in the community for generalization. Parents meet with the BCBA weekly for parent training to review goals and progress. Achievements accepts most insurance carriers including Georgia Medicaid and can help families understand coverage.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Apollo Behavior
3

Apollo Behavior

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

Our Acworth center on Acworth Forest Drive provides ABA planned around each child's needs and family routines. A BCBA develops the treatment plan, with a family conversation, benefit review, and clinical assessment as part of admissions. We accept Anthem and Humana for ABA; benefits and authorization depend on the policy. Families may also explore financial-assistance resources for autism care.

  • Center-based
  • Telehealth

Appleseeds Behavioral Center

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

Appleseeds Behavioral Center opened in 2013 in Kennesaw with a mission to provide high-quality, affordable ABA services to the autism community. When they started, many Georgia plans did not cover ABA; they focused on making care accessible. They have since expanded their facility and services and are accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE). A strong local option for families seeking quality ABA in Cobb County.

  • Center-based

BlueSprig

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-18

Our Kennesaw center at 1619 Collins Rd NW, Suite 500, is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM. BCBAs and registered behavior technicians provide ABA therapy, and new families begin in our early intervention programs, Sprouts for ages 0 to 4 and Sprigs for ages 4 to 6. We also provide in-home care outside the center, and families can book a free consultation and a private tour.

  • Center-based
  • Community-based
  • Medicaid
  • Parent training
Elevation Autism Center

Elevation Autism Center

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 5-6

At our Kennesaw clinic, BCBA-led ABA is delivered by RBTs to children from age 1 through kindergarten. The team creates individualized plans for communication, social interaction, and daily living skills. The center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. We work with all major insurance carriers.

  • Center-based
Key Autism Services
3

Key Autism Services

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

At our Kennesaw center, children receive individualized applied behavior analysis (ABA) in a setting with a sensory gym, gross-motor rooms, mock classrooms, private treatment rooms and group space. We also provide weekly parent or caregiver training. The center is located at 1000 Cobb Place Boulevard NW, Suite 230. We accept Georgia Medicaid, Amerigroup, CareSource and Peach State, as well as commercial plans.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth

Key Autism Services: ABA Therapy In Georgia - Kennesaw

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-12

Most Kennesaw-area families who land with Key Autism are just trying to keep therapy from eating the whole calendar. Key assigns BCBAs and technicians with an eye on how far you are from the interstate cluster, then stacks hours where life already happens—usually your kitchen and playroom, sometimes school or a telehealth block when the payer agrees. It is still insurance paperwork, authorizations that expire, and the occasional week a tech is out. Ask early how parent training is scheduled (not 'whenever') and how fast they backfill if your regular person is on leave.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth

Uniquely U Behavioral Services

Listed
Kennesaw, GA
Ages:All Ages

At our Kennesaw office, we provide person-centered ABA for children and families. The program includes clinic and home-based therapy, family education, life-skills teaching, social-skills support, and school-related advocacy and consultation. Families and our behavioral services team set goals for communication, daily living, participation, and independence. We offer insurance and self-pay arrangements. Our Kennesaw office is at 1275 Shiloh Road NW, Suite 3240.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
Apollo Behavior
3

Apollo Behavior

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

At our Lawrenceville center on North Brown Road, BCBAs plan individualized ABA around each child's needs, including communication, daily skills, and learning. Behavior technicians provide day-to-day teaching under BCBA oversight, while the team tracks progress. Families take part in a conversation, benefit review, and clinical assessment before treatment planning. We accept Anthem and Humana for ABA; benefits and authorization depend on the policy.

  • Center-based
  • Telehealth
Apollo Behavior

Apollo Behavior

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

Families in Milton and north Fulton can come to our North Alpharetta center on Deerfield Parkway for one-to-one ABA. We assess each child's strengths and support needs, then a BCBA develops an individualized program. Goals can address communication, social connection, daily routines, and readiness for learning. During intake, we review benefits before care is planned.

  • Center-based
  • Telehealth
Behavior Frontiers
3

Behavior Frontiers

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-6

Our Smyrna center runs a weekday, full-day ABA program for early learners under age 6. A BCBA develops and supervises each child's program, while RBTs provide direct teaching in therapy rooms, a sensory gym, and play areas. Families can take part in two guidance sessions each month. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid

Benchmark Human Services

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-21

Benchmark Human Services offers ABA support for children and teens with autism in Georgia, including Savannah. Families can ask about behavioral therapy, social skills work, group therapy, and caregiver training. Services are offered across multiple Georgia communities instead of through a single Savannah clinic.

BlueSprig

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 0-18

Our Smyrna center at 1155 Concord Rd SE, Suite 220, is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM. BCBAs and RBTs provide ABA at the center, at home, and in the community, with school-based sessions when clinically appropriate. New families join Sprouts (ages 0 to 4) or Sprigs (ages 4 to 6), and we offer family guidance and a free consultation. We accept BCBS, Aetna, TRICARE, Cigna, Humana, United Healthcare, and Medicaid.

  • Center-based
  • Community-based
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Butterfly Effects

Butterfly Effects

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

We provide in-home ABA therapy in Smyrna, where most of our services take place in the family's home. Families can observe sessions, give feedback to our staff, and take part, while therapy builds functional communication and age-appropriate social skills. We are BHCOE accredited and accept most insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare, and United Healthcare.

  • In-home
Butterfly Effects

Butterfly Effects

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 2-12

Our Sandy Springs center offers full-day early-intervention ABA for children ages 2 to 6 and after-school ABA for ages 6 to 12. RBTs work one-to-one on school readiness, communication, social interaction, and motor skills. Pretend-play, sensory, gross-motor, and language-rich spaces give children room to practice. We work with most insurance providers.

  • Center-based
  • Early intervention
Circle City ABA
4

Circle City ABA

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

At our Marietta center on Franklin Gateway, families can use the playroom and therapy rooms for direct and group ABA. We also provide social-skills therapy, parent training, and behavior consultation. Speech therapy is available on site through our partnership with Leap for children receiving ABA. We accept private insurance, TRICARE, Georgia Medicaid through GAMMIS, and other state funding or grants, including Peach State.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Speech therapy

Dogwood Autism Services

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 1-7

We provide intensive early-intervention ABA for young children with autism in Atlanta, in the clinic, at home, and in the community. A BCBA oversees treatment, including natural-environment teaching and caregiver participation. Goals support communication, learning, and everyday independence. We participate with Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareSource, Cigna, Georgia Medicaid, Peach State, and UnitedHealthcare; out-of-network arrangements may also be available. Our Atlanta location is at 5163 Roswell Road.

  • Center-based
  • Community-based
  • Medicaid
  • Early intervention
Elevation Autism Center

Elevation Autism Center

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 1-5

At our Norcross center, a program supervisor works with each family on a learning plan for the child. We provide individualized, BCBA-led ABA alongside speech and occupational therapy for young children. Parents can join biweekly meetings, receive training at the clinic, and review progress reports and goals to support practice in daily routines. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Center-based
  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy
Elevation Autism Center

Elevation Autism Center

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

At our Alpharetta clinic, we provide individualized ABA for children with autism. A program supervisor works with each family to build a learning plan around the child's needs and goals. Play-based activities address communication, social interaction, and everyday living skills. Parents can join biweekly meetings, receive coaching at the clinic, and review progress reports and goals. The clinic is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Center-based
Elevation Autism Center

Elevation Autism Center

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 1-5

At our Marietta clinic, we provide ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy for children ages 1 to 5. The team plans around communication, social, and daily-living goals, then uses play and structured teaching to practice those skills. Parents take part through regular meetings, clinic coaching, and progress reviews. Our center is at 877 Franklin Gateway SE, Suite 280, and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Center-based
  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy

Flywheel Centers

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

Our Atlanta ABA center at 2303 Cumberland Parkway serves children with autism from 18 months through adolescence, with Georgia-licensed BCBAs writing each treatment plan. The center includes sensory integration tools and structured peer interaction. We also have an Alpharetta center on Atlantis Place and provide in-home ABA in Sandy Springs. A free consultation is the first step for new families.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Flywheel Centers

Flywheel Centers

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Children

We provide Smyrna-area families with individualized ABA at home and at our Atlanta center at 2303 Cumberland Parkway; our Alpharetta clinic is another Georgia option. Georgia-licensed BCBAs develop plans around the child and family's needs, with goals for social, communication, and everyday skills. Intake gathers information about the child and guides assessment and service planning.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Hopebridge
2

Hopebridge

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 1-3

Families in Marietta can use our Kennesaw center for ABA, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, feeding support, caregiver guidance, and autism testing. We plan ABA around each child, while the wider pediatric team supports communication, daily living, feeding, and developmental needs. In Georgia, our ABA payer list includes Georgia Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare. Benefits and authorization vary by plan.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
  • Evaluations
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center
2

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 1-10

Hopebridge opened its Fayetteville center so families in Fayette County could get full autism care in one place. Instead of juggling ABA, speech, and occupational therapy at different locations, kids from 15 months through early elementary can receive a coordinated plan under one roof. The team uses a 360 Care model that blends applied behavior analysis with speech, OT, feeding support, and family guidance. Center hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 to 6. Most major insurance plans and Georgia Medicaid are accepted, and diagnostic evaluations are available to help families get started sooner.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
  • Evaluations
Positive Behavior Services

Positive Behavior Services

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Ages 1-21

We provide ABA therapy in Fayetteville and other Georgia communities, including Fayette, Coweta, and Fulton counties. Sessions can take place in homes, schools, and daycares for individuals ages 18 months through 21 years. Caregivers can join monthly parent training over Zoom, and families can work with our Family Resource Navigator.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Medicaid
Propel Autism

Propel Autism

Listed
Serving Kennesaw, GA
Ages:Up to 8 years

Propel Autism in Marietta serves children up to 8 years old with ABA therapy and puts the whole family at the center of care. Their clinicians conduct assessments and build personalized treatment plans. The Marietta clinic is designed for safe play and learning with gym, toy rooms, and creative spaces. They accept Medicaid, Peach State, Amerigroup, CareSource, Anthem BCBS, United Healthcare, Optum, Aetna, Tricare, and Cigna.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid

Kennesaw family guide

ABA Therapy in Kennesaw, GA: What Families Should Know

Kennesaw families looking for ABA therapy for an autistic child can choose in-home teams that cover north Cobb, clinic programs in and around Kennesaw, or a mix with video parent coaching. Children on Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids use a Georgia Families plan, and many employer plans fall under Ava’s Law through age 20. Under age 3, Babies Can’t Wait through Cobb & Douglas Public Health is the starting point; from age 3, the Cobb County School District Special Needs Preschool office evaluates for free while you pursue a medical diagnosis.

ABA therapy options in Kennesaw

In-home ABA

Home sessions skip the daily drive, which matters when therapy runs four or five afternoons a week. Ask whether the technician lives near Kennesaw, Acworth, or west Cobb, since a shorter commute for staff usually means fewer cancellations.

Center-based ABA

Families compare clinic programs in Kennesaw with programs elsewhere in north Cobb. Ask how the program schedules preschoolers versus school-age children who arrive after the bell, and check the drive from your street at the hour sessions would start.

School and daycare support

Many Kennesaw children attend Cobb County School District preschool or a private daycare part of the day. Ask whether the BCBA will observe there with permission and share goals with the Cobb IEP team so strategies match.

Telehealth parent coaching

Video coaching fits families with a parent commuting into Atlanta or working at Kennesaw State. Make sure parent training appears as its own goal with a set number of sessions each month.

Autism evaluations

Most north Cobb families get a pediatrician referral to Marcus Autism Center on Briarcliff Road or to the Emory Autism Center in Decatur, both across the metro. Start the referral before you finish touring ABA programs.

How to start ABA therapy in Kennesaw

  1. 1

    Confirm the diagnosis and coverage

    Insurers and Georgia 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. 2

    Compare Kennesaw 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. 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. 4

    Get matched if you want help

    Tell us your child's age, coverage, and preferred setting. We share options in and around Kennesaw that fit. It is free for families.

Take the free autism screening quiz

Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Kennesaw?

Medicaid in Cobb County

Cobb County children on Medicaid receive ABA as Adaptive Behavior Services, a Georgia Medicaid benefit for members under 21 delivered under EPSDT. Most are enrolled in a Georgia Families plan (Amerigroup, CareSource, or Peach State Health Plan), and PeachCare for Kids members use the same plans. You need a documented autism diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist; the provider then gets prior approval for an assessment and a second approval for treatment, and the assessment repeats every six months. Call 888-423-6765 to confirm or change your child’s Georgia Families plan.

Private insurance

State-regulated plans in Georgia must cover autism diagnosis and medically necessary ABA through age 20 under Ava’s Law (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.10), with no cap on the number of visits and an allowed ABA limit of $35,000 a year. The State Health Benefit Plan is covered too. Plans from employers with ten or fewer employees are exempt, and self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules, so ask HR which kind you have.

Plans Kennesaw families often ask about:

  • Amerigroup (Georgia Families)
  • CareSource Georgia (Georgia Families)
  • Peach State Health Plan (Georgia Families)
  • PeachCare for Kids
  • State Health Benefit Plan
  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • UnitedHealthcare

Georgia’s autism insurance law (Ava’s Law, O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.10)

What state-regulated insurers cannot do

  • Refuse to cover assessments, evaluations, or tests by a licensed physician or licensed psychologist to diagnose autism in a member 20 or younger.
  • Refuse to cover ABA for autism when the plan determines it is medically necessary under established criteria.
  • Limit the number of visits.
  • Count payments for care unrelated to autism toward the yearly ABA maximum.
  • Use the law to cut speech, occupational, or physical therapy the plan otherwise covers.

What still applies

  • Coverage runs through age 20; the law does not require ABA coverage at 21 or older.
  • Plans may cap ABA at $35,000 a year and may apply deductibles, coinsurance, and reasonable limits that fit the law.
  • ABA must be provided or supervised by a person certified by a national board of behavior analysts, and a physician or psychologist can be asked to show ongoing medical necessity at least once a year.
  • The law does not apply to plans from employers with ten or fewer employees, and self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead.
  • Marketplace plans need not cover benefits beyond the ACA essential health benefits, and an insurer can claim a one-year exemption if the Insurance Commissioner approves an actuary’s certification that the newly required coverage would raise average premiums by more than 1 percent.

Getting an autism diagnosis in Kennesaw

In Kennesaw, the age of your child decides the first call. Before the third birthday, refer to Babies Can’t Wait through Cobb & Douglas Public Health; an autism diagnosis qualifies a child automatically, but you do not need one to refer. From age 3, call the Cobb County School District Special Needs Preschool office for a free school evaluation, and in parallel ask your pediatrician for a medical diagnostic referral, which ABA funding requires.

Under age 3

Babies Can’t Wait, Cobb & Douglas Public Health

Georgia’s early intervention program for Cobb County children from birth to the third birthday, regardless of income. Refer through the Cobb County Child Health Referral Contact (find it with the state’s Women and Children Service Finder) using the state Child Health Referral Form; parental consent is not required to make a referral. Parent to Parent of Georgia, which runs the Babies Can’t Wait central directory, can connect you if you cannot reach the office.

800-229-2038 Website

Evaluation

Marcus Autism Center (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)

Autism evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment at 1920 Briarcliff Road in Atlanta. Every new patient needs a doctor referral, which your pediatrician can send electronically.

404-785-9400 Website

Evaluation

Emory Autism Center

Diagnostic assessments for children, teens, and adults at 1551 Shoup Court, Decatur. Call or use the center’s service request form.

404-727-8350 Website

School districts serving Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw too.

  • Cobb County School District, Special Needs Preschool

    For children 3 to 5, call the Special Needs Preschool office at 770-426-3331. Parents who call receive a referral packet, and must finish the district’s online registration before any evaluation is scheduled. Daycares and physicians can also refer at the same number.

  • Cobb County School District, Special Education (school-age)

    For a student already in a Kennesaw school, send a dated written evaluation request to the school and keep a copy. The district has parent mentors and a page for families of students in private school or homeschool.

Autism in Kennesaw by the numbers

1 in 31
8-year-olds identified with autism across 16 CDC monitoring sites

CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2022 data published in 2025.

About 5,640
Estimated autistic children in Cobb County

An estimate: 174,967 county residents under 18 divided by 31, not a count of diagnoses.

7,389
Children under 18 living in Kennesaw
4.7%
Kennesaw children under 18 with a disability

Census disability questions cover hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living, so this is broader than autism.

96.4%
Kennesaw children under 19 with health insurance
10.9%
Kennesaw residents age 5 and up who speak Spanish at home

Ask providers whether they have Spanish-speaking BCBAs or technicians.

$83,356
Median household income in Kennesaw
11.0%
Kennesaw children under 18 living below the poverty line

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 Kennesaw city and Cobb County. The county autism figure is an estimate, not a count.

Kennesaw local numbers

What ABA therapy costs in Kennesaw

Private-pay ABA in Georgia typically runs $95 to $160 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.

Estimated monthly private-pay ABA cost in Kennesaw by weekly hours
Hours per week At $95/hr At $160/hr
10 hours $4,117/mo $6,933/mo
20 hours $8,233/mo $13,867/mo
30 hours $12,350/mo $20,800/mo
Monthly private-pay ABA cost at 10, 20, and 30 hours a week in Georgia: 10 hours $4,117 to $6,933; 20 hours $8,233 to $13,867; 30 hours $12,350 to $20,800. 10 hrs/week $4,117 $6,933 20 hrs/week $8,233 $13,867 30 hrs/week $12,350 $20,800 Low end ($95/hr) High end ($160/hr)
Private-pay monthly cost before insurance, Georgia hourly range.

Estimate your cost with insurance using your deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

How long is the ABA wait in Georgia?

In January to March 2022, TRICARE families in Georgia waited an average of 53 days from a verified referral to their first ABA appointment, 25 days longer 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.

Georgia TRICARE average wait of 53 days from referral to first ABA appointment, compared with the 28-day access standard. Georgia average 53 days 28-day standard 28 days

Source: Defense Health Agency, TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration report to Congress, Table 3 (April 2023; data January 1 to March 31, 2022).

Kennesaw kids compared with Georgia and the US

Kennesaw children compared with Georgia and the United States
Measure Kennesaw Georgia United States
Children under 18 with a disability 4.7%5.1%4.9%
Children under 19 with health insurance 96.4%93.1%94.5%
Children under 18 below the poverty line 11.0%18.3%16.1%
Children under 18 with a disability
Children under 18 with a disability: Kennesaw 4.7%, Georgia 5.1%, United States 4.9%. Kennesaw 4.7% Georgia 5.1% United States 4.9%
Children under 19 with health insurance
Children under 19 with health insurance: Kennesaw 96.4%, Georgia 93.1%, United States 94.5%. Kennesaw 96.4% Georgia 93.1% United States 94.5%
Children under 18 below the poverty line
Children under 18 below the poverty line: Kennesaw 11.0%, Georgia 18.3%, United States 16.1%. Kennesaw 11.0% Georgia 18.3% United States 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.

Georgia autism identification vs the US

Georgia public schools served 13.90 children per 1,000 ages 5 to 21 under the IDEA autism category in 2024-25, about 1 in 72, 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.

IDEA autism identification, 2024-25: Georgia 13.90 per 1,000 children ages 5 to 21, United States about 1 in 64. Georgia 13.90 per 1,000 United States about 1 in 64

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.

Kennesaw autism resources for families

Advocacy & navigation

Parent to Parent of Georgia

Georgia’s Parent Training and Information Center and Babies Can’t Wait central directory. Free training, parent-to-parent support, and a statewide special needs database.

800-229-2038 Website

Early intervention

Georgia DPH Babies Can’t Wait

Early intervention for Cobb County toddlers under 3, regardless of income. The state page has the Child Health Referral Form and a service finder for the Cobb County referral contact.

Website

Developmental disability services

DBHDD Region 1 Field Office

Handles developmental disability intake and evaluation for Cobb County, including NOW and COMP waiver requests, from 1230 Bald Ridge Marina Road in Cumming. Developmental Disabilities Intake and Evaluation: 770-781-6913.

678-947-2818 Website

Medicaid

Georgia Families

Check or change your child’s Georgia Families plan. General Georgia Medicaid questions: 877-423-4746.

888-423-6765 Website

Diagnosis & evaluation

Marcus Autism Center

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s autism center for evaluation and treatment. Doctor referral required.

404-785-9400 Website

Medicaid

Georgia Medicaid autism services

How Adaptive Behavior Services work for Medicaid members under 21.

Website

More questions about ABA therapy in Kennesaw

What paperwork does Cobb County need before a preschool evaluation?

The Special Needs Preschool office will not schedule an evaluation until online registration is done. Gather your child’s Social Security card, Georgia immunization certificate (form 3231), the hearing, dental, and vision certificate (form 3300), proof of birth date, two proofs of residency, and custody papers if they apply. Having these ready before you call 770-426-3331 avoids delays.

I work for a small Kennesaw business. Does Ava’s Law cover my child’s ABA?

Not automatically. Ava’s Law does not apply to any plan offered by an employer with ten or fewer employees, so a small-business plan sets its own autism benefit. Read the plan documents or ask the insurer directly whether ABA is covered and with what limits. A child who also qualifies for Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids can use that coverage instead.

Where do Kennesaw families apply for the NOW or COMP waiver?

Through DBHDD’s Region 1 field office, which serves Cobb County from Cumming. Call Developmental Disabilities Intake and Evaluation at 770-781-6913 to start. These waivers fund home and community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and they run alongside Medicaid ABA rather than replacing it. Ask DBHDD what documents it needs for the intake.

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.

Planning guides

Plan your next ABA provider call in Kennesaw

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

Working in ABA?

See current ABA therapy jobs in Georgia on Special Needs Jobs, our job board for RBTs, BCBAs, and behavior technicians.

Why Choose ABA Therapy in Kennesaw?

Kennesaw sits in north Cobb County along I-75, and families here compare autism therapy providers across Kennesaw, Marietta, Acworth and Woodstock. In-home ABA is a common starting point, and center-based programs run full-day and after-school schedules. Cobb County's public systems for early intervention and school evaluations sit beside private ABA and work on their own timelines.

Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Kennesaw

Because the north Cobb market is large, families can usually compare several ABA providers at once. Look at ABA therapy in Marietta and ABA therapy in Woodstock alongside Kennesaw listings. Ask each provider about BCBA supervision hours, parent training, staff turnover, and how it covers sessions when a technician is out. The ABA intake checklist helps you gather records before calling.

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

Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Kennesaw

Georgia's autism coverage law, O.C.G.A. 33-24-59.10, was strengthened by Ava's Law in 2015 and expanded again in 2018. It requires state-regulated health insurance policies and HMO contracts, including the State Health Benefit Plan, to cover autism for covered individuals age 20 and under. Plans must cover diagnostic assessments by a licensed physician or psychologist and medically necessary applied behavior analysis, which a nationally board certified behavior analyst must provide or supervise. Plans may not limit the number of visits but may cap ABA at $35,000 per year, and payments for care unrelated to autism do not count toward that cap. A licensed physician or psychologist may be asked to confirm ongoing medical necessity at least once a year. The law does not apply to plans offered by employers with 10 or fewer employees, exchange plans do not have to cover benefits beyond the federal essential health benefits, and self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead. Georgia Medicaid covers Adaptive Behavior Services, its name for ABA, for members under 21 with a documented autism diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist, including children in Georgia Families plans and the Katie Beckett program. No NOW or COMP waiver is needed. Prior authorization is required for all services, with the assessment and the treatment plan authorized separately. Families seeking additional support may find valuable resources through Georgia's special needs resource directory.

Georgia Autism Support Programs and Regulations

Babies Can't Wait, run by the Georgia Department of Public Health, is Georgia's early intervention program under Part C of IDEA. It serves children from birth to the third birthday, regardless of income, who have a diagnosed condition likely to cause delay or a confirmed developmental delay. Anyone can refer a child by sending the state's Child Health Referral Form to the local referral contact for the county where the family lives, or by phone, email, fax, letter or in person. Evaluation and service coordination are free; other services use a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay, and Medicaid and private insurance are billed with the family's permission. After the third birthday, the local school system handles Child Find and special education evaluation. For longer term support, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities operates the NOW and COMP Medicaid waivers for people with an intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability, such as autism, that substantially limits functioning. Applicants who appear eligible go on a planning list, and funding goes to those with the highest need rather than by time on the list. When exploring specialized educational programs to complement ABA therapy, Kennesaw families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.

Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Kennesaw is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 39 therapy providers serving the Kennesaw area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Kennesaw providers offer comprehensive parent training, ensuring that therapeutic strategies extend seamlessly into daily life. With Georgia's strong insurance protections and regulatory framework supporting autism treatment, families in Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw

How long does ABA intake take in Kennesaw?
Providers do not publish reliable wait times, so ask each one where your child would land on its list today. Intake typically runs through a phone screen, insurance verification, a BCBA assessment, and authorization of the treatment plan. Insurance approval and BCBA openings cause most delays. Kennesaw families have many nearby options, so put your child on two or three lists and accept the first slot that fits.
How does in-home ABA work in Kennesaw?
A registered behavior technician works with your child at home on a set weekly schedule, and a BCBA designs the plan, supervises sessions and coaches parents. In-home ABA fits skills like dressing, mealtime and play with siblings. Ask which daytime and after-school slots are open now. Confirm the provider covers your exact address and how often the BCBA visits in person.
Does Georgia Medicaid cover ABA for autism in Cobb County?
Yes, for members under 21. Start with the plan card: most Kennesaw children on Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids are enrolled with Amerigroup, CareSource or Peach State Health Plan through Georgia Families, and your ABA provider needs to accept that plan. Georgia Medicaid calls the benefit Adaptive Behavior Services. It requires a written autism diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist and prior authorization, and the assessment is approved before treatment can be authorized.
Will my private insurance cover ABA in Kennesaw?
Start by asking HR whether your employer's plan is fully insured or self-funded, because Ava's Law (O.C.G.A. 33-24-59.10) binds insurer policies and contracts. A fully insured Georgia plan must cover autism diagnosis and medically necessary ABA through age 20, with no visit limits and an allowed ABA benefit of up to $35,000 a year. Then ask which Cobb County providers are in network, whether ABA needs prior authorization, and how many weekly hours the plan approves.
What is the best ABA therapy near me in Kennesaw?
The best fit depends on your child's age, your insurance and the schedule you can keep, so compare at least three providers. Verify each supervising BCBA in the BACB certificant registry. Ask about the BCBA-to-technician ratio, how progress data is shared with parents, how the program handles challenging behavior, and how much parent training is included. A short visit or observation tells you more than a website.
Where can Kennesaw children get an autism diagnosis?
Ask your pediatrician for a developmental screening and referral. Marcus Autism Center, part of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, is one of the largest autism centers in the U.S., and developmental pediatricians and child psychologists also diagnose autism. ABA authorization requires the written diagnostic report, so request the full report. You can join ABA wait lists while you wait for the evaluation.
Is there early intervention in Kennesaw for children under 3?
Yes. Babies Can't Wait is Georgia's early intervention program from birth to the third birthday, and Cobb & Douglas Public Health runs referrals for Kennesaw. An autism diagnosis qualifies a child automatically; other children qualify through a developmental evaluation. Evaluation and service coordination are free. Some families use Babies Can't Wait and toddler ABA side by side.
How do ABA and Cobb County schools coordinate?
The Cobb County School District makes its own special education decision, and a medical diagnosis does not replace the school's evaluation. Send a dated written request for an evaluation to your child's school. With your consent, the BCBA can share goals and strategies with the IEP team so expectations match at home and school. The IEP guide explains the school process.

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