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ABA Therapy Centers in South Dakota

Compare ABA providers in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and across South Dakota, and learn how Medicaid prior authorization and the state autism insurance law decide who pays.

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Sioux Falls

4 ABA providers

Aberdeen

1 ABA provider

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ABA therapy and autism supports in South Dakota

South Dakota Medicaid covers ABA for children 20 or younger who have an autism diagnosis, and every course of treatment needs prior authorization from the state. Private coverage runs on a separate track: state law requires ABA coverage on many individual and group plans for children through age 18, with annual dollar floors that step down as a child ages. Two Medicaid waivers run by the Division of Developmental Disabilities add family supports, and Birth to Three serves children under 36 months.

Special Needs Care Network lists 5 ABA providers serving 2 cities in South Dakota.

Medicaid ABA
Covered under EPSDT for children 20 or younger with an autism diagnosis; South Dakota Medicaid must prior authorize services.
Autism insurance law
SDCL 58-17-157 requires ABA coverage, with annual maximums of at least $36,000, $25,000 and $12,500 by age band.
Early Intervention
Birth to Three serves children from birth to 36 months; call 1-800-305-3064.
Waivers
The Division of Developmental Disabilities runs two Medicaid waivers: Family Support 360 and CHOICES.
Behavior analyst license
Licensed behavior analysts are licensed by the South Dakota Board of Social Workers.

South Dakota Medicaid ABA and prior authorization

ABA is available under the EPSDT benefit for children 20 or younger with an autism diagnosis from a physician or psychologist. A physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant must order it, and the diagnosis must fall within 12 months before services start. South Dakota Medicaid authorizes each course of treatment for 6 months, so the provider requests reauthorization twice a year. Medicaid pays licensed and enrolled behavior analysts, physicians and psychologists.

  • Covered services include assessment, adaptive behavior treatment, family training and group social skills treatment.
  • Telehealth is allowed when delivered through a real-time interactive system.

SDCL 58-17-154 to 58-17-162: the autism insurance law

SDCL 58-17-157 requires covered plans to include ABA for autism. The annual maximum benefit cannot be less than $36,000 through age 6, $25,000 for ages 7 through 13, and $12,500 for ages 14 through 18. The law reaches individual and group policies from health carriers and self-funded nonfederal governmental plans, but excludes the state employee health plan and ERISA self-funded plans. Plans can require prior authorization and may review treatment every three months. Ask your insurer for its written ABA benefit.

Family Support 360 and CHOICES waivers

The Division of Developmental Disabilities operates two Medicaid waivers, Family Support 360 and CHOICES. Autism counts as a qualifying condition when it closely resembles an intellectual disability, and families need SSI or an income under 300% of the SSI standard benefit amount. Family Support 360 is the waiver for children living with family. Call 1-833-663-9673 and press option 2 to start an application.

Birth to Three for children under 36 months

South Dakota Birth to Three serves children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities. Call 1-800-305-3064 or contact your local service coordinator, who helps determine your child's eligibility. The service is voluntary and works through your family's everyday routines.

Licensed behavior analysts in South Dakota

Under the insurance law, ABA must be performed or supervised by a physician or psychologist with documented ABA training, or by a behavior analyst licensed by the South Dakota Board of Social Workers. Medicaid bills ABA only through licensed and enrolled physicians, psychologists and behavior analysts. Technicians certified by the BACB work under a licensed behavior analyst. Ask any provider for a license number and confirm Medicaid enrollment before intake.

Where South Dakota families find ABA

ABA supply in South Dakota is thin and concentrated in Sioux Falls, with a small market in Aberdeen. Medicaid allows ABA by telehealth, so a family far from a clinic can ask a provider which parts of treatment run remotely. Medicaid prior authorization comes from the state, so a Medicaid family does not need to match a regional plan.

Where to start in South Dakota

  1. Ask your child's physician or psychologist to document the autism diagnosis, and for Medicaid ABA get an order from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant within 12 months of the start date.
  2. Call your insurer, confirm your plan is not self-funded, and ask for the written ABA benefit and authorization steps.
  3. Call Birth to Three at 1-800-305-3064 if your child is under 36 months.
  4. Call 1-833-663-9673, option 2, to ask the Division of Developmental Disabilities about Family Support 360.

South Dakota ABA therapy questions

Does South Dakota Medicaid cover ABA therapy?

Yes, for children 20 or younger with an autism diagnosis from a physician or psychologist. A physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant must order ABA, and the diagnosis must be within 12 months before services start. South Dakota Medicaid prior authorizes treatment for 6 months at a time, so your provider submits a reauthorization before the period ends.

How much does South Dakota insurance have to pay for ABA each year?

Under SDCL 58-17-158, covered plans must provide an annual maximum benefit of at least $36,000 through age 6, $25,000 for ages 7 through 13, and $12,500 for ages 14 through 18. These are floors, so a plan can offer more. Deductibles, copayments and coinsurance can still apply, so ask your insurer for your cost share.

Is my employer plan covered by South Dakota's autism law?

Not always. The law applies to individual and group policies from health carriers and to self-funded nonfederal governmental plans, but not the state employee health plan or ERISA self-funded plans. It also does not apply to nongrandfathered individual and small group plans that must include the federal Affordable Care Act benefit package. Ask HR for your plan type.

Who can supervise ABA in South Dakota?

Under the insurance law, ABA must be performed or supervised by a physician or psychologist with documented ABA training, or by a behavior analyst licensed by the South Dakota Board of Social Workers. For Medicaid, ABA is billed by enrolled physicians, psychologists and behavior analysts, and BCaBAs and RBTs work under a licensed behavior analyst's supervision.

What is Family Support 360 and how do you apply?

Family Support 360 is a Medicaid waiver run by the Division of Developmental Disabilities for children living with family and for adults. A child needs a qualifying developmental disability and must meet the financial limits. Call 1-833-663-9673 and press option 2 for intake. A child under 3 must first be identified through Birth to Three.

Planning resources

How ABA therapy Medicaid plans work

What a Medicaid ABA plan covers and how authorization works.

ABA waitlists

How to stay on track while you wait for a clinic opening.

Choose an autism therapy center

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

ABA intake checklist

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

ABA insurance appeal templates

Templates for requesting a clear coverage decision or review.

ABA therapy cost by state

Compare cost context and coverage questions for South Dakota.

Early intervention guide

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

ABA first 30 days checklist

A practical record-keeping and communication checklist.

Primary sources

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

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