Skip to main content

10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Dundalk, MD (2026)

Compare 27 ABA providers serving Dundalk. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.

Children practicing social skills together with Epic Minds Therapy
1

Epic Minds Therapy

Premium
5.0(1 review)Serving Dundalk, MDAges 1+Accepting new clients

Epic Minds Therapy provides in-home ABA therapy in Raleigh, North Carolina and surrounding communities for children on the autism spectrum. Our BCBAs and RBTs build individualized programs that develop communication, social, and daily-living skills in the places children spend their days: at home, at school, and out in the community. Care is assent-based and family-centered, with dedicated parent and caregiver training so progress continues between sessions. We also offer telehealth support and help families access a virtual autism evaluation, and we accept Medicaid and major North Carolina insurance plans.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Telehealth
  • Autism spectrum disorder
Blue Cross Blue ShieldCarelon+ 7 more
Free Matching

Need ABA therapy options near Dundalk, Maryland?

Share your child's age, timeline, and session preference. We'll help you compare nearby therapy centers that fit.

Free for families

Blossom ABA Therapy featured cover
2

Blossom ABA Therapy

Premium
Serving Dundalk, MDAges 1-14Accepting new clients

Blossom ABA Therapy is a multi-state group that pairs upbeat branding with evidence-based applied behavior analysis. The Baltimore team focuses on communication, flexibility, and daily living skills while keeping you informed with clear data and practical coaching. Sessions can happen at home, in school, or in the community depending on where the goals need to live. That flexibility lets learners practice store trips, classroom transitions, or sibling play in the real settings you care about. Billing specialists help Eastern Shore families interpret authorizations and lock in weekly hours insurers will fund. Other Maryland hubs can keep you inside the same provider network if you split time between the Shore and the Baltimore and Washington corridor.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Lower Eastern Shore
  • Flexible Settings
Insurance Accepted
ABA therapist working one-on-one with a child during an in-home session
4

Bright Builders ABA

Premium
Serving Dundalk, MDAges 0-12Accepting new clients

In-home and community-based ABA therapy for children with autism across the Baltimore metro area and surrounding Maryland communities. Bright Builders ABA brings patient, compassionate, evidence-based care into the places where children already live, learn, and play, so new skills carry over into everyday routines. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst personally assesses each child and designs an individualized plan focused on communication, social skills, and independence, and a dedicated provider delivers each session under ongoing BCBA supervision. A care coordinator guides families through paperwork and insurance eligibility from the first call, and parent training is built in so progress continues between sessions. The team includes 5 BCBAs and 18 RBTs, is currently accepting new clients with no waitlist, and works with Medicaid plus major commercial plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (CareFirst), Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare.

  • In-home
  • Community-based
  • Medicaid
  • Parent training
AetnaBlue Cross Blue Shield (CareFirst)CignaUnitedHealthcare+ 1 more

Other ABA Providers in Dundalk

Admire ABA

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

Admire ABA delivers in-home, daycare-based, and weekend ABA therapy for children with autism across the Baltimore area. Care follows an individualized, BCBA-supervised plan focused on communication, social skills, and independence, with early intervention, diagnostic services, and parent training. Sessions happen where children live and learn so progress carries into daily life.

  • In-home
  • Community-based
  • Medicaid
  • Early intervention

Advancing Abilities

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

We provide in-home and community-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children and young adults with autism in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas. Our services include consultation, supervision and family training. Each child receives an individual assessment, and our team develops goals and protocols around that child's needs. Families can use visual supports, Boardmaker pictures, PECS and social stories as part of individualized programs.

  • In-home
  • Community-based
  • Medicaid
  • Parent training
All Star ABA

All Star ABA

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Birth and up

All Star ABA near Olney can layer home-based ABA, center time, parent training, social-skills groups, and diagnostic support when your authorization allows that combination. Age range spans infancy through 21, wider than many child-only programs. Medicaid and major commercial plans are common entry points; the office team helps with eligibility checks and first appointments.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Parent training

All Star ABA

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Birth and up

All Star ABA provides transformative ABA therapy tailored for children with autism, empowering families in Catonsville and the Greater Baltimore area. With a compassionate and individualized approach, our experienced team focuses on fostering essential skills that help children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Our BCBAs and RBTs deliver therapy in home-based, center-based, and community settings, ensuring a comprehensive support system that accommodates each child's unique needs. We understand that early intervention is crucial and are committed to building strong foundations for brighter futures. Join us in creating a personalized path for your child's growth and development. From improving communication to enhancing daily living skills, All Star ABA is dedicated to empowering children and their families every step of the way.

  • In-home
  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

Ally Behavior Centers

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 1-6

Ally Behavior Centers in White Marsh, MD, provides expert Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy catering to children aged 18 months to 6 years with autism. Our center offers a full-time, structured program that focuses on developing communication, social, and daily living skills, ensuring kids are well-prepared for school and everyday life. We pride ourselves on our comprehensive and coordinated services that bring together a multidisciplinary team of experts to address each child's unique needs, benefiting families from the surrounding areas of Baltimore County. At our White Marsh location, children benefit from an engaging, supportive environment where they receive personalized instruction and therapy. Each session utilizes evidence-based approaches infused with positive reinforcement to help children thrive, promote independence, and make meaningful progress towards their developmental goals.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Autism Services
  • Early intervention

Blue Gems ABA

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

Blue Gems ABA provides clinic-based and in-home ABA therapy for children with autism in Lutherville and across the greater Baltimore area. Each child receives an individualized, BCBA-designed program focused on communication, social skills, and independence, delivered in the clinic or at home. Parent involvement is part of the process so progress carries into everyday routines.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Connec-to-Talk

Connec-to-Talk

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

At our Westminster clinic, children receive play-based ABA focused on communication, daily living, and social skills. We also provide in-home and community-based support across nearby communities, with group activities and a sensory-friendly gym at the clinic. In Maryland, we accept Medicaid and several commercial plans, including Aetna, Anthem BCBS, CareFirst, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Tricare, and UnitedHealthcare.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid

Divine Steps Therapy

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 1-11

Our Maryland ABA program offers in-home and school-based services, parent training, autism evaluations, and insurance support. We work with children ages 1–11 and accept Aetna, CareFirst, JAI, Kaiser, Maryland Physician Care, MedStar Health, Priority Partners, UnitedHealthcare, WellPoint, BCBS, and Carelon. The Owings Mills office serves as our Maryland location.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Medicaid

Helping Hands Family

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 2-6

Helping Hands Family offers one-to-one, center-based ABA therapy at its South Baltimore clinic for children approximately ages 2 through 6. Individual learning blocks are paired with small-group play and classroom-like routines to support communication, behavior, social participation, independence, and kindergarten readiness. The Little Hands day program provides an extended daytime schedule with peer activities layered into individualized care.

  • Center-based
  • Early childhood ABA
  • School-readiness support

Helping Hands Family

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 2-6

Helping Hands Family provides personalized ABA therapy for children aged 2 to 6 in Lanham, MD. Our dedicated approach focuses on understanding each child's unique needs, creating tailored treatment plans that aim to improve communication, enhance social skills, and build independence. With a strong emphasis on early intervention, our experienced team works collaboratively with families, ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive before entering kindergarten. At our center, we utilize a child-led, play-based learning approach, transforming therapy into engaging activities that promote skill development in a safe and nurturing environment. Our goal is to empower children affected by autism through compassionate and effective treatment, guiding them toward meaningful and lifelong success.

  • Medicaid
  • Child-led Learning
  • Positive Reinforcement
  • Individualized Treatment Plans

Helping Hands Family

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 2-6

Helping Hands Family's Gaithersburg clinic offers center-based ABA for ages 2 to 6 with goals around communication, regulation, peer play, and routines that match preschool or kindergarten. One-to-one blocks alternate with small-group practice in the same building. A BCBA supervises each plan. Enrollment can confirm whether your policy matches the Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Highmark, or UnitedHealthcare contracts billed most often. Other Maryland clinics, including Baltimore-area sites, give you continuity if you move counties.

  • Center-based
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Early Childhood ABA

Helping Hands Family

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 2-6

Helping Hands Family offers compassionate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in North Bethesda, MD, for children ages 2 to 6 diagnosed with autism. Our dedicated team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) collaborates with families to create personalized therapy plans tailored to each child's unique needs. We focus on essential skills such as motor development, functional communication, and behavioral modification through a blend of fun activities and positive reinforcement. We recognize that family involvement is key to successful outcomes. Parents are encouraged to be active participants in the therapy journey, helping integrate learned skills into daily routines for maximum effectiveness. With our nurturing approach and focus on early intervention, we aim to foster significant improvements in cognitive function, socialization, and communication for all our young clients engaged in ABA therapy.

  • In-person
  • Telehealth
  • Early intervention
Oaks Dynamics

Oaks Dynamics

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 3-12

Oaks Dynamics provides in-home and center-based ABA therapy for children with autism in Nottingham, Perry Hall, and the surrounding Baltimore area. Individualized, BCBA-supervised programs target social skills, communication, and independence, with services delivered at the center, in the home, and in the community. The team also offers social skills training, parent training, and respite support for families.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Social skills

Of The New Day Autism Services

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

Of The New Day Autism Services provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism and developmental disabilities in Crofton, serving Anne Arundel County and the surrounding area. Individualized, BCBA-designed programs focus on early intervention, communication, social skills, and independence, delivered one-on-one in a supportive clinic setting. Families are partners in the process, with skill-building that carries into everyday routines.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Early intervention

Storybook ABA

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

Storybook ABA provides in-home ABA therapy for children with autism across Columbia, Anne Arundel County, and the greater Baltimore area. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst designs an individualized plan for each child, with school collaboration, sibling support, and caregiver training. Care is delivered where children live and learn so skills carry into everyday routines.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Medicaid
  • Parent training

The Learning Tree ABA

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 0-12

We use Natural Environment Teaching to build learning into everyday routines for children with autism. In Maryland, we provide ABA at our Hunt Valley center, in homes, and in schools or daycare settings. BCBAs and behavior technicians create individualized plans with family input. We accept Medicaid, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, CareFirst, Cigna, Priority Partners, UnitedHealthcare, and Wellpoint.

  • Center-based
  • In-home
  • Medicaid
Trellis Services - Forest Hill Learning Center

Trellis Services - Forest Hill Learning Center

Listed
Serving Dundalk, MD
Ages:Ages 1-18

Trellis Services, a LEARN Behavioral affiliate, runs the Forest Hill learning hub for Harford County families seeking contemporary applied behavior analysis that respects each child's personality. Parents stay treated as the child's first teachers, with open communication as goals shift across home, clinic, and community. Programming targets language, play, tolerance for new routines, behaviors that block learning, and school readiness with steady data review. Beyond ABA, Trellis offers diagnostic resources, related therapies, autism waiver guidance, and the Trellis School for families who want education-integrated support. Service areas include Aberdeen, Bel Air, Fallston, Forest Hill, Havre de Grace, and nearby towns so families north of Baltimore avoid long downtown commutes. Funding conversations cover commercial insurance, Medicaid, and waiver options when you qualify.

  • In-home
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
  • Contemporary ABA

Dundalk family guide

ABA Therapy in Dundalk, MD: What Families Should Know

Most Dundalk families looking for ABA therapy for an autistic child start with in-home services, then compare clinics in Baltimore City and the eastern county a few miles away, plus telehealth parent coaching. Maryland Medicaid pays for ABA under 21 through Carelon Behavioral Health, and Maryland-issued private plans must cover it under Insurance Article § 15-835 until the month a child turns 19. Children through 36 months go to the Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers Program, and preschoolers not in a program go to BCPS Child Find, whose Southeast team works out of Dundalk.

ABA therapy options in Dundalk

In-home ABA

In-home teams can reach most of Dundalk’s 21222 ZIP, from Turners Station to the neighborhoods off Merritt Boulevard, but staffing depends on technicians who live nearby. Ask how many Dundalk families each provider serves now and how it covers a canceled session.

Center-based ABA

Clinic options sit west in Baltimore City and north toward Essex, Rosedale, and Parkville, a short trip on I-695 or North Point Boulevard. Ask about after-school slots, since most families compete for the same 3 to 6 p.m. window.

School and daycare support

Some providers can observe or support your child at a preschool or child care center with the director’s permission. If BCPS writes an IEP, share it with the BCBA so the two plans do not pull in different directions.

Telehealth parent coaching

Video sessions with the BCBA fit parents working shifts at the port, the hospitals, or the warehouses around the county. Ask for parent training goals in writing and a set weekly time.

Autism evaluations

Kennedy Krieger’s autism center on North Broadway in East Baltimore is one of the closest specialty programs to Dundalk. Submit its intake form early, and also ask your pediatrician about the University of Maryland’s developmental pediatrics clinics downtown.

How to start ABA therapy in Dundalk

  1. 1

    Confirm the diagnosis and coverage

    Insurers and Maryland 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 Dundalk 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 Dundalk that fit. It is free for families.

Take the free autism screening quiz

Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Dundalk?

Medicaid in Baltimore County

Baltimore County children with Maryland Medicaid receive ABA through the EPSDT benefit up to age 21, and their HealthChoice MCO does not process it. Carelon Behavioral Health authorizes ABA on behalf of the state, and Medicaid pays providers fee-for-service. Before Carelon approves anything, a qualified clinician completes a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and refers for ABA, then a BCBA or psychologist assesses your child and writes a treatment plan; each approval lasts up to 180 days. Every HealthChoice MCO except Kaiser Permanente takes new members in Baltimore County. Call Maryland Health Connection at 855-642-8572 about plans and Carelon at 800-888-1965 about ABA.

Private insurance

Maryland Insurance Article § 15-835 requires insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs that issue plans in Maryland to cover habilitative services for children until at least the end of the month they turn 19, and COMAR 31.10.39 applies that to ABA for autism. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules, so check with HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded.

Plans Dundalk families often ask about:

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Aetna
  • Maryland Physicians Care (HealthChoice)
  • Priority Partners (HealthChoice)
  • MedStar Family Choice (HealthChoice)
  • Wellpoint Maryland (HealthChoice)

Maryland’s habilitative services law (Insurance Article § 15-835)

What state-regulated insurers cannot do

  • Refuse to cover habilitative services, including ABA for autism, for a child on a plan issued or delivered in Maryland, until at least the end of the month the child turns 19.
  • Deny ABA on the grounds that it is experimental or investigational.
  • Deny coverage based only on the number of hours prescribed, up to 25 hours a week for children from 18 months to age 6 and up to 10 hours a week for children 6 through 18.
  • Deny payment only because a treatment goal names a school or other educational setting as the place of service.
  • Use review criteria that are stricter than Maryland’s autism habilitative services regulations.

What still applies

  • A plan can require a comprehensive evaluation by your child’s primary care provider or a specialty physician, a prescription with specific treatment goals, and an annual review.
  • Plans can approve more hours than the protected minimums when they are medically necessary, and can manage the benefit through prior authorization.
  • Plans do not have to pay for habilitative services delivered through early intervention or school services.
  • Self-funded employer plans and federal employee plans follow federal rules instead of Maryland law.

Getting an autism diagnosis in Dundalk

Dundalk parents have a free public route and a medical route, and it pays to start both. Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers and BCPS Child Find evaluate eligibility for early intervention and special education at no cost. Maryland Medicaid and private insurers approve ABA only after a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation by a developmental pediatrician, pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, neuropsychologist, or nurse practitioner experienced in autism.

Under age 3

Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers Program (BCITP)

Serves children from birth through 36 months who have, or may have, developmental delays or disabilities, with no cost to families. Run jointly by the Baltimore County Department of Health, Baltimore County Public Schools, and the Department of Social Services. Call the Single Point of Entry or refer online at referral.mditp.org.

443-809-2169 Website

Evaluation

Kennedy Krieger Institute Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI)

Interdisciplinary autism evaluations at 707 North Broadway in East Baltimore. Families complete an intake form, then a care specialist calls to schedule. Local referral line 443-923-9400, option 1.

888-554-2080 Website

Evaluation

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics

Evaluates children from birth through 21 for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, based at 737 W. Lombard St. in Baltimore with satellite sites.

Website

School districts serving Dundalk 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 Dundalk too.

  • Baltimore County Public Schools Child Find (Southeast team, Dundalk)

    BCPS Child Find serves children ages 3 to 21 suspected of having an educational disability, including preschoolers not enrolled in a program. Call 443-809-3017 to refer. The Southeast Child Find team is based at General John Stricker Middle School, 7855 Trappe Road, 443-809-7267.

  • Baltimore County Public Schools (enrolled students)

    Students already attending a BCPS school are referred for screening through their own school, so contact the principal or school team at your child’s Dundalk-area school and put the request in writing.

Autism in Dundalk 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 6,000
Estimated autistic children in Baltimore County

An estimate: 185,984 county residents under 18 divided by 31, not a count of diagnoses.

15,964
Children under 18 living in Dundalk
7.5%
Dundalk 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.

94.9%
Dundalk children under 19 with health insurance
10.1%
Dundalk residents age 5 and up who speak Spanish at home

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

$64,520
Median household income in Dundalk
27.0%
Dundalk 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 Dundalk CDP and Baltimore County. The county autism figure is an estimate, not a count.

Dundalk local numbers

What ABA therapy costs in Dundalk

Private-pay ABA in Maryland typically runs $130 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.

Estimated monthly private-pay ABA cost in Dundalk by weekly hours
Hours per week At $130/hr At $200/hr
10 hours $5,633/mo $8,667/mo
20 hours $11,267/mo $17,333/mo
30 hours $16,900/mo $26,000/mo
Monthly private-pay ABA cost at 10, 20, and 30 hours a week in Maryland: 10 hours $5,633 to $8,667; 20 hours $11,267 to $17,333; 30 hours $16,900 to $26,000. 10 hrs/week $5,633 $8,667 20 hrs/week $11,267 $17,333 30 hrs/week $16,900 $26,000 Low end ($130/hr) High end ($200/hr)
Private-pay monthly cost before insurance, Maryland hourly range.

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

Maryland Medicaid ABA rate

Maryland Medicaid pays an ABA provider $19.17 for each 15-minute unit of technician-delivered ABA (CPT 97153), or $76.68 an hour, and $38.34 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 (RBT or BT)
$19.17
97155 per 15 minutes (Psychologist, BCBA-D, or BCBA)
$38.34
Effective
Feb 1, 2026

Fee-for-service rate from the Maryland Medicaid ABA Provider Manual fee schedule. 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 Maryland?

In January to March 2022, TRICARE families in Maryland waited an average of 48 days from a verified referral to their first ABA appointment, 20 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.

Maryland TRICARE average wait of 48 days from referral to first ABA appointment, compared with the 28-day access standard. Maryland average 48 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).

Dundalk kids compared with Maryland and the US

Dundalk children compared with Maryland and the United States
Measure Dundalk Maryland United States
Children under 18 with a disability 7.5%4.4%4.9%
Children under 19 with health insurance 94.9%95.6%94.5%
Children under 18 below the poverty line 27.0%11.5%16.1%
Children under 18 with a disability
Children under 18 with a disability: Dundalk 7.5%, Maryland 4.4%, United States 4.9%. Dundalk 7.5% Maryland 4.4% United States 4.9%
Children under 19 with health insurance
Children under 19 with health insurance: Dundalk 94.9%, Maryland 95.6%, United States 94.5%. Dundalk 94.9% Maryland 95.6% United States 94.5%
Children under 18 below the poverty line
Children under 18 below the poverty line: Dundalk 27.0%, Maryland 11.5%, United States 16.1%. Dundalk 27.0% Maryland 11.5% 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.

Maryland autism identification vs the US

Maryland public schools served 14.70 children per 1,000 ages 5 to 21 under the IDEA autism category in 2024-25, about 1 in 68, 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: Maryland 14.70 per 1,000 children ages 5 to 21, United States about 1 in 64. Maryland 14.70 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.

Dundalk autism resources for families

Advocacy & navigation

The Parents’ Place of Maryland

Maryland’s Parent Training and Information Center. Free help understanding Child Find, IEPs, and special education rights for families of children from birth through 26. Toll free 800-394-5694.

410-768-9100 Website

Early intervention

Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers Program

Single Point of Entry for county children from birth through 36 months. Anyone may refer, services are voluntary, and there is no cost to families.

443-809-2169 Website

Autism support

Pathfinders for Autism

Parent-founded Maryland autism organization. Call its Resource Center for one-on-one help finding services, or search its provider database.

443-330-5341 Website

Autism support

Maryland Autism Waiver Registry

Families must be on the registry to apply for the Autism Waiver when a slot opens. The waiver pays for home and community supports, including after-school Therapeutic Integration and respite.

866-417-3480 Website

Medicaid

Carelon Behavioral Health Maryland

Grants prior authorization for Maryland Medicaid ABA for members under 21 and registers ABA providers.

800-888-1965 Website

Medicaid

Maryland Health Connection

Medicaid enrollment and eligibility. Call to see which HealthChoice MCO covers your child or to make a change.

855-642-8572 Website

Developmental disabilities

DDA Central Maryland Regional Office

Developmental Disabilities Administration office for Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Harford, at 1401 Severn St. in Baltimore. Toll free 877-874-2494.

410-234-8200 Website

More questions about ABA therapy in Dundalk

Where does a Dundalk preschooler who is not in school go for an evaluation?

Call BCPS Child Find at 443-809-3017. It evaluates preschool children who live in Baltimore County and are not enrolled in a preschool program, and its Southeast team works from General John Stricker Middle School on Trappe Road in Dundalk. A school evaluation decides IEP eligibility only. For ABA, you still need a medical diagnosis and authorization from Medicaid or your insurer.

Can a Dundalk child get Maryland’s Autism Waiver?

Possibly, but slots open only as current participants leave, so join early. The Autism Waiver serves children from age 1 through the semester they turn 21 who have an autism diagnosis or an educational autism classification, meet the waiver’s level of care and Medicaid financial rules, and have an IFSP, a preschool or kindergarten IEP, or from first grade an IEP with at least 15 weekly hours of services or one-to-one adult support. Call the registry at 866-417-3480; you can apply only when a slot opens.

Is Baltimore County early intervention free while we wait for ABA?

Yes. The Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers Program charges families nothing and serves children from birth through 36 months who have, or may have, a delay. It does not require an autism diagnosis, so call 443-809-2169 as soon as you have concerns. Early intervention and ABA are separate services, and many Dundalk toddlers use both while families wait for an ABA start date.

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 Dundalk

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

Working in ABA?

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

Why Choose ABA Therapy in Dundalk?

Dundalk is in southeast Baltimore County, on the Patapsco waterfront and right against the Baltimore City line. Most searches here are for in-home ABA therapy for autistic kids, and the area draws therapists from both Baltimore County practices and city clinics a few miles west. Compare providers on who will staff sessions in Dundalk, how they bill Maryland Medicaid or your private plan, and how they train parents.

Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Dundalk

Ask each provider whether its therapists already serve the 21222 ZIP code, who supervises the program and how often, whether parent training is written into the plan, and whether it bills Maryland Medicaid through Carelon or your private insurer. For more clinic options, see the Baltimore and Towson ABA therapy pages.

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

Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Dundalk

Maryland's habilitative services law, Md. Code, Insurance § 15-835, requires insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs that issue individual or group coverage in Maryland to cover habilitative services for children until at least the end of the month they turn 19. Maryland Insurance Administration regulations (COMAR 31.10.39) make clear that, for a child with autism, this benefit includes behavioral health treatment such as applied behavior analysis, along with psychological and therapeutic care. A plan may not deny ABA as experimental. It also may not deny coverage based only on the number of prescribed hours when the request is 25 hours a week or fewer for a child from 18 months to age six, or 10 hours a week or fewer from age six until 19. Plans may require a comprehensive evaluation, a prescription with treatment goals, and an annual review, and normal copays, deductibles, and network rules still apply. Plans do not have to pay for services delivered through early intervention or school programs. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules rather than Maryland law. Maryland Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA for members under 21 who have an autism diagnosis from a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. The child is referred to the state's behavioral health administrative services organization, which manages and authorizes ABA services.

Maryland Autism Support Programs and Regulations

The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program, led by the Maryland State Department of Education, serves children from birth to age three with developmental delays or disabilities through a local program in every county and Baltimore City. Anyone, including a parent, doctor, or child care provider, can make a referral, and services are free to families. At age three, families of children who qualify for preschool special education can move to an IEP through the local school system or choose the Extended IFSP Option, which continues early intervention until the start of the school year after the child's fourth birthday. The Autism Waiver, which the State Department of Education runs for Medicaid, serves children with an autism diagnosis from age one until the end of the school year in which they turn 21. A child must need an institutional level of care and have an IEP or IFSP with at least 15 hours a week of services, and only the child's own income and assets count. Services include intensive individual support, respite, and family consultation. Families join the Autism Waiver registry and wait for an opening. When exploring specialized educational programs to complement ABA therapy, Dundalk families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.

Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Dundalk is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 27 therapy providers serving the Dundalk area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Dundalk providers offer comprehensive parent training, ensuring that therapeutic strategies extend seamlessly into daily life. With Maryland's strong insurance protections and regulatory framework supporting autism treatment, families in Dundalk 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 Dundalk

How does in-home ABA therapy work in Dundalk?
A therapist comes to your home for scheduled sessions, and a BCBA visits regularly to supervise and update goals. Sessions focus on daily routines like meals, dressing, play and transitions. Expect to take part in parent training. Ask each provider whether it staffs Dundalk now, what space it needs, how it covers cancellations, and whether it can move some hours to a clinic later.
Is there a wait for in-home ABA in southeast Baltimore County?
Usually, and in-home openings depend on having a therapist who lives or works nearby. Paperwork adds time too: a qualified clinician's diagnostic evaluation and prescription, the BCBA assessment and treatment plan, then insurance approval. Ask each provider how many in-home families it serves in Dundalk today, what slows its intakes, and whether it can start with clinic sessions while an in-home slot opens. Join more than one list.
Does Maryland Medicaid pay for in-home ABA?
Maryland Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA for children under 21; ask each provider whether it runs Medicaid sessions at home. The catch is billing: your HealthChoice card does not route the claim. Carelon Behavioral Health handles Medicaid ABA for the state on a fee-for-service basis, and nothing starts until Carelon approves it, which requires a prescription from a qualified clinician after a diagnostic evaluation. A Dundalk provider needs a Maryland Medicaid number and a Carelon registration.
Will our private plan cover ABA for a Dundalk child?
Maryland Insurance Article 15-835 requires state-regulated insurers, nonprofit health service plans and HMOs to cover habilitative services, including ABA for autism, until the end of the month a child turns 19. Self-funded employer plans and federal employee plans follow their own rules instead. Ask your insurer whether ABA at home is covered, what prior authorization it requires, and what your share of each session will be.
Where can we get an autism diagnosis near Dundalk?
Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Baltimore runs interdisciplinary autism evaluations, and triage specialists help referred families find the right service. Developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, child psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can also diagnose for Maryland Medicaid. Ask your pediatrician for a referral and request a written prescription for ABA with the report.
What can we do for a Dundalk child under three?
Refer your child to the Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers Program, which serves children from birth through 36 months who have a 25 percent delay, atypical development or a diagnosed condition. Refer online through the Maryland Infants and Toddlers site; the program has 45 days to evaluate, decide eligibility and write an Individualized Family Service Plan. Baltimore County also offers an Extended IFSP option past age three.
Where is Child Find for Dundalk preschoolers?
Baltimore County Public Schools Child Find serves children ages 3 to 21 suspected of having an educational disability, and its Southeast Child Find Assessment Center is in Dundalk. Preschoolers not enrolled in a program can be referred straight to Child Find. Its multidisciplinary team evaluates for an IEP. School services and in-home ABA can run together, so share IEP goals with your BCBA.
Is ABA only for young kids?
No. Many children start ABA as toddlers or preschoolers, but older kids and teens use it for communication, safety, self-care and school readiness. Coverage has age limits: Maryland Medicaid covers ABA until 21, and the state insurance mandate covers children through the month they turn 19. If your child is older, ask Dundalk providers whether they have BCBAs who work with school-age kids and teens.

Also Looking for Special Needs Schools?

Explore specialized schools and educational programs in Dundalk.

Browse Schools in Dundalk