Special Needs Care Network Logo

10 Best ABA Therapy Providers in Durham, NC (2026)

Compare 17 ABA providers serving Durham. Explore the full ranked list and find a provider that feels right for your child.

Free Matching

Need ABA therapy options near Durham, North Carolina?

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

Free for families

Apricott ABA Therapy Center in Raleigh, NC photo 2
2

Apricott ABA Therapy Center

Premium
Serving Durham, NCAges 1-18Accepting new clients

Apricott provides North Carolina families with in-home Applied Behavior Analysis anchored by the Raleigh office at 4801 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200. Clinical teams covering Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte coordinate assessments, ongoing therapy, and caregiver coaching without requiring families to relocate into a traditional clinic environment for day-to-day sessions. Insurance specialists help navigate commercial carriers and Medicaid participation so coverage questions are addressed early. Therapy follows individualized behavior plans written and supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, with Registered Behavior Technicians delivering structured intervention during routines that matter most to each household. Apricott emphasizes transparent milestones: parents receive actionable updates and opportunities to participate directly in sessions when clinically appropriate. Apricott cares for toddlers through adolescents and adapts teaching strategies as developmental needs shift. The broader organization maintains BHCOE accreditation and stresses responsive scheduling with typically limited wait times. Families exploring Apricott elsewhere in the Southeast benefit from the same operating standards for documentation, communication, and compassionate clinical partnerships.

  • Community-based
  • In-home
  • Telehealth
AetnaAmerigroup+ 7 more
Blossom ABA Therapy cover
3

Blossom ABA Therapy

Premium
Serving Durham, NCAges 1-14Accepting new clients

Blossom ABA Therapy is a great fit for North Carolina families seeking personalized, compassionate ABA therapy delivered where their child feels most comfortable. Our therapists provide individualized, evidence-based support in the home, allowing children to build communication, social, behavioral, and daily living skills within their natural routines. Each child's care is guided by a BCBA, carried out by a dedicated RBT, and supported through ongoing collaboration with parents and caregivers. Sessions can happen at home, in school, or in the community depending on where the goals need to live. That flexibility lets learners practice everyday skills in the real settings families care about. Billing specialists help North Carolina families interpret authorizations and lock in weekly hours insurers will fund.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Charlotte / North Carolina
  • Flexible Settings
Adult carrying a smiling child outdoors
6

Behavioral Innovations – Durham

Verified
Durham, NCAges 1-10

Behavioral Innovations' Durham center on Meridian Parkway offers center-based ABA for children with autism from roughly 18 months through 10 years. The team designs personalized plans around each child's strengths, focusing on communication, independence, social skills training, and day-to-day functioning. Many North Carolina Behavioral Innovations locations emphasize timely access; the Durham page highlights immediate availability for enrollment. Confirm when you call. Families across Durham County and nearby communities use the center for structured therapy, peer-ready routines, and caregiver communication. Accepted payers commonly include major commercial plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, TRICARE, and Medicaid options listed on the enrollment flow; verification happens during intake. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Reach admissions by phone or email to start care, check insurance, and schedule a visit.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Social skills
AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCignaTRICARE+ 2 more
10

Majestic Care ABA

Verified
Serving Durham, NCAges 0-17

At Majestic Care ABA Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our focused and comprehensive ABA services are designed to support children in overcoming developmental challenges, building essential life skills, and gaining confidence in their abilities. We take a family-centered approach, ensuring that parents and caregivers are actively involved in the therapeutic process for lasting success. Our clinicians use evidence-based treatment to support comorbid conditions such as anxiety, ADD, ADHD, etc. when medically necessary. With a commitment to excellence, we provide tailored intervention plans that address each child’s unique needs. Whether at home, in one of our clinics, at school, or within the community, our goal is to create an environment where learning is engaging, progress is celebrated, and every milestone matters. We are able to serve ages 18 months through 18 years.

  • In-home
  • School-based
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
Blue Cross Blue ShieldAetnaOptum+ 1 more

Other ABA Providers in Durham

Bloomwell – Durham

Bloomwell – Durham

Listed
Durham, NC
Ages:Ages 1-10

Bloomwell's Durham clinic on North Duke Street provides center-based applied behavior analysis for children with autism, serving Durham plus nearby communities such as Chapel Hill, Morrisville, and Hillsborough. Families can request tours, enrollment information, and clinical questions through the center's intake process, with staff aiming to respond within about one business day. The Durham location currently promotes enrollment with no waitlist. Confirm status when you inquire, because openings can change. Therapy emphasizes individualized ABA planning, caregiver partnership, and practical skill-building for communication, independence, and daily routines. Call the Durham line or submit Bloomwell's interest form to discuss insurance, scheduling, and next steps.

  • In-person
  • Medicaid
  • Parent Partnership

Highlights Healthcare – Durham Learning Center

Listed
Durham, NC
Ages:Ages 1-5

The Durham Learning Center provides early intervention ABA for young children with autism in a calm, child-friendly clinic on North Duke Street. Sessions are delivered one-to-one so each learner can work on communication, adaptive skills, and behaviors tied to their individual plan. Teams include the child, caregivers, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, registered behavior technicians, and behavior technicians trained to clinical standards. This Highlights location focuses on Medicaid-funded early intervention. Confirm current eligibility and plan rules during intake rather than assuming coverage. Staff emphasize caregiver partnership, predictable routines, and skill-building that translates to home and community settings. Email intake@highlightshealthcare.com or call the center line for applications, questions, and tour scheduling. The Highlights team can point families to additional resources as questions come up during therapy.

  • In-person
  • Medicaid
  • Telehealth
  • Early intervention

Mosaic Pediatric Therapy – Southpoint Durham

Listed
Durham, NC
Ages:Ages 1-10

The Southpoint clinic on NC-54 serves Durham, Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park, Morrisville, and nearby communities with center-based ABA for children on the autism spectrum. The clinic includes individual and group classrooms, activity areas, and secure play spaces where learners work one-to-one with trained staff. Board Certified Behavior Analysts build individualized plans with ongoing progress review, emphasizing communication, daily living skills, social skills, and school readiness. Clinical Director Priscilla Shin, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, leads the team with a focus on coordinating care across families and outside providers so new skills carry into home, school, and community routines. The model balances natural teaching opportunities with structured procedures, small caseloads, and peer interaction when clinically appropriate. Most major commercial plans and Medicaid are accepted; intake verifies coverage and explains what to expect before sessions begin. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Families can tour, meet clinicians, and start services through Mosaic's intake team.

  • In-person
  • Medicaid
  • Diagnostics
  • Parent training
Proud Moments ABA – Durham

Proud Moments ABA – Durham

Listed
Durham, NC
Ages:Ages 1-10

Proud Moments ABA's Durham center offers evidence-based, center-based applied behavior analysis for children with autism in a structured, nurturing setting. Board Certified Behavior Analysts and licensed behavior analysts supervise individualized plans delivered by trained behavior technicians, with emphasis on communication, social skills, and participation at home and school. The Durham team highlights early intervention for toddlers and preschoolers, school-readiness tracks, social-skills programming with peer practice, and steady collaboration with parents and caregivers. Center Leader Amy Fowler supports day-to-day operations alongside clinical staff. The center currently promotes open enrollment with no waitlist; confirm current availability when you call. Proud Moments works with many insurers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Magellan, Medicaid, Optum, and TRICARE, plus additional plans listed on the provider's coverage page. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Intake walks families through consultation, authorization, parent training, assessment, and therapist matching.

  • Center-based
  • Medicaid
  • Early intervention
  • Social skills

Nearby therapy options

Compare ABA therapy near Durham

Families often compare nearby cities when commute, availability, services, or age fit differ.

ABA therapy providers in Cary Compare 12 programs about 17 miles away. ABA therapy providers in Raleigh Compare 23 programs about 21 miles away. ABA therapy providers in Apex Compare 11 programs about 21 miles away. ABA therapy providers in Holly Springs Compare 12 programs about 27 miles away. ABA therapy providers in Garner Compare 13 programs about 29 miles away. ABA therapy providers in Fuquay-Varina Compare 10 programs about 29 miles away.
Browse all ABA therapy providers in North Carolina →

Planning guides

Plan your next ABA provider call in Durham

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

North Carolina Medicaid ABA therapy guide

How NC Medicaid covers ABA under policy 8F, which plan pays, prior approval, the 90-day reauthorization rule, and appeals.

North Carolina funding and therapy guide

Separate NC education scholarships from Medicaid ABA rules, Innovations waiver services, and plan-specific provider authorization.

NC Innovations Waiver and 1915(i) guide

Waitlist rules, 1915(i) services with no waitlist, Tailored Plan requirements, and where ABA fits.

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?

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

Why Choose ABA Therapy in Durham?

Durham sits at the center of the Triangle, a short drive from Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill, and is home to the Duke Autism Clinic. Families seeking ABA therapy for an autistic child here compare center-based programs and in-home teams across Durham County and the wider Triangle.

Comprehensive Autism Therapy Services in Durham

Children under 3 start with the NC Infant-Toddler Program through the Durham CDSA. From age 3, Durham Public Schools Exceptional Children's Services evaluates. NC Medicaid covers ABA, called Research-Based Behavioral Health Treatment (RB-BHT), with prior approval, and G.S. 58-3-192 covers ABA under many private plans. The Duke Autism Clinic provides diagnostic evaluations.

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

Understanding Insurance Coverage for ABA Therapy in Durham

North Carolina's autism coverage law, G.S. 58-3-192, requires state-regulated health benefit plans to cover screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including adaptive behavior treatment such as ABA. A licensed physician or psychologist must order treatment as medically necessary, and adaptive behavior treatment must be provided or supervised by a qualified professional such as a board certified behavior analyst or licensed psychologist. Plans may limit adaptive behavior treatment to individuals 18 and younger and may cap it at $40,000 a year, an amount indexed to inflation that the Commissioner of Insurance posts each year. Coverage cannot be denied because treatment is habilitative or educational, and cost sharing can be no less favorable than for other medical care. The law does not apply to non-grandfathered individual and small group plans that must cover the ACA essential health benefits, and self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead. NC Medicaid covers ABA under Clinical Coverage Policy 8F, Research-Based Behavioral Health Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, for eligible beneficiaries of any age. It requires an autism diagnosis made with a validated diagnostic tool; for children under three, a provisional diagnosis is accepted if confirmed within six months. Prior approval is required before services start, based on the assessment and treatment plan. Licensed behavior analysts, licensed assistant behavior analysts and certified behavior technicians deliver the services.

North Carolina Autism Support Programs and Regulations

The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP), run by NCDHHS through local Children's Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs), is the state's early intervention program under Part C of IDEA for children under three with developmental delays or disabilities. Anyone can refer a child to the local CDSA by phone, email, fax, letter or in person, and parental consent is not required to make the referral. An Early Intervention Service Coordinator then arranges the evaluation, and the CDSA decides eligibility. Evaluation and service coordination are free; other services use a sliding fee scale, families found unable to pay are not denied services, and Medicaid and private insurance are billed with the family's permission. At age three, the local school system handles Child Find and preschool special education evaluation. For long term support, the NC Innovations Waiver serves people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who meet an institutional level of care. Slots are limited and funded by the General Assembly, and the LME/MCOs keep the Innovations Waitlist, formerly called the Registry of Unmet Needs. When exploring specialized educational programs to complement ABA therapy, Durham families have access to a comprehensive network of support services.

Selecting the right ABA therapy provider in Durham is an important decision that can significantly impact your child's progress. The 17 therapy providers serving the Durham area each bring unique strengths, from specialized early intervention programs to school-based services and intensive behavioral support. Many Durham providers offer comprehensive parent training, ensuring that therapeutic strategies extend seamlessly into daily life. With North Carolina's strong insurance protections and regulatory framework supporting autism treatment, families in Durham 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 Durham

How long are ABA wait lists in Durham?
No Triangle-wide figure exists, because each provider runs its own list. In Durham the common holdups are NC Medicaid prior approval, which every RB-BHT service needs, and clinician availability for the first assessment. Ask each provider whether it takes new autism clients on your specific plan, including Alliance Health for Tailored Plan members, and which step is backed up. Being on several lists at once is normal.
Does NC Medicaid cover ABA therapy for autism?
Yes. NC Medicaid covers Research-Based Behavioral Health Treatment (RB-BHT), its term for ABA and related autism treatment, under Clinical Coverage Policy 8F, updated August 1, 2026. Every service needs prior approval under a treatment plan written by a Licensed Qualified Autism Service Provider and resubmitted at least every 180 days, or every 90 days above 16 hours a week. Most children receive it through an NC Medicaid Managed Care Standard Plan; children who qualify for a Tailored Plan in Durham County get it through Alliance Health.
Does private insurance cover ABA in North Carolina?
North Carolina's autism law, G.S. 58-3-192, requires many state-regulated health plans to cover autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment, including adaptive behavior treatment such as ABA ordered by a licensed physician or psychologist. Plans may cap ABA at an inflation-indexed annual amount and limit it to members 18 or younger. Self-funded employer plans follow federal rules instead, so confirm your ABA benefit with HR.
Center-based or in-home ABA: which fits a Durham family?
Weigh the drive first. A home session skips I-40, NC 147 and US 15-501 traffic and builds skills inside meals, play and bedtime. A center offers a structured room, peers and on-site supervision, which helps a child heading into Durham Public Schools preschool services or kindergarten. Many families pick whichever model can staff a steady weekly schedule first, so ask each team which hours it can fill now.
Where can I get an autism diagnosis in Durham?
The Duke Autism Clinic in Durham provides first-time autism diagnostic evaluations, infant and toddler evaluations, and ongoing consultation. A referral from a Duke provider is required for children older than 3, so start with your pediatrician. Evaluations usually span several appointments with history, caregiver and teacher questionnaires, and observation, followed by a feedback session. Ask for a written report, since NC Medicaid and private plans need the diagnosis before approving ABA.
Where do I start if my child is under 3 in Durham?
Start with the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (NC ITP) through the Durham Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA), which serves Durham County and seven nearby counties. The CDSA coordinates developmental evaluations, eligibility decisions, and early intervention services for children from birth to age 3. For a child under 3, NC Medicaid accepts a provisional autism diagnosis to start RB-BHT if a full diagnosis follows within six months, so ABA can run alongside early intervention.
What does Alliance Health do for autistic children in Durham?
Alliance Health runs the NC Medicaid Tailored Plan for Durham County, serving members with significant behavioral health needs or intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. Members get Tailored Care Management at no cost. Alliance also manages the NC Innovations Waiver in Durham, which serves people of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Ask about the Registry of Unmet Needs, its first-come waiting list for waiver slots.
How does ABA fit with Durham Public Schools?
Durham Public Schools Exceptional Children's Services runs Child Find, and its Preschool Services for Exceptional Children serves eligible children from their third birthday, with autism among the eligibility categories. For a school-age child, send a dated written evaluation request to the principal. A school evaluation decides special education eligibility; it does not approve ABA. With your permission, a BCBA can share goals with the school team so skills carry over.

Also Looking for Special Needs Schools?

Explore specialized schools and educational programs in Durham.

Browse Schools in Durham