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ABA Therapy Centers in Washington

Compare ABA providers from Seattle and Bellevue to Tacoma, Everett, Vancouver, Spokane and the Tri-Cities, and learn why Apple Health starts with a Center of Excellence evaluation.

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Bellevue

9 ABA providers

Federal Way

9 ABA providers

Seattle

7 ABA providers

Bothell

6 ABA providers

Issaquah

6 ABA providers

Lynnwood

6 ABA providers

Auburn

5 ABA providers

Kirkland

5 ABA providers

Lakewood

5 ABA providers

Tacoma

5 ABA providers

Tukwila

5 ABA providers

Everett

4 ABA providers

Kent

4 ABA providers

Marysville

4 ABA providers

Puyallup

4 ABA providers

Redmond

4 ABA providers

Renton

4 ABA providers

Bellingham

3 ABA providers

Olympia

3 ABA providers

Spokane

3 ABA providers

Tumwater

3 ABA providers

Vancouver

3 ABA providers

Kennewick

2 ABA providers

Oak Harbor

2 ABA providers

Richland

2 ABA providers

Spokane Valley

2 ABA providers

Bremerton

1 ABA provider

Chehalis

1 ABA provider

East Wenatchee

1 ABA provider

Ellensburg

1 ABA provider

Lacey

1 ABA provider

Longview

1 ABA provider

Moses Lake

1 ABA provider

Mount Vernon

1 ABA provider

Port Orchard

1 ABA provider

Silverdale

1 ABA provider

Walla Walla

1 ABA provider

Yakima

1 ABA provider

Working in ABA?

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

ABA therapy and autism supports in Washington

Apple Health, Washington's Medicaid program, covers ABA only after a Center of Excellence (COE) provider evaluates your child and writes an ABA order. That evaluation comes first, before any ABA agency can start. Private insurance follows a different route: Washington's mental health parity law, not an autism-specific ABA statute. Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) waivers add home and community supports, and ESIT covers children from birth to age three.

Special Needs Care Network lists 79 ABA providers serving 38 cities in Washington.

Children under 21 with Washington Medicaid can get ABA through EPSDT when the state finds it medically necessary, but each clinic has to accept your child's specific plan. Our guide to finding ABA therapy that accepts your Medicaid plan covers what to ask before you book an intake.

Medicaid ABA
Apple Health requires an evaluation by an approved Center of Excellence provider and a prescription for ABA.
Who can be the COE
For clients 20 and younger, only an ABA COE provider can evaluate and order ABA.
Private insurance
Mental health parity (E2SHB 1432, 2025) governs ABA coverage on state-regulated plans.
Waivers
DDA runs five waivers, including Individual and Family Services and Children's Intensive In-home Behavioral Supports.
Early Intervention
ESIT serves children from birth to age 3; the Help Me Grow hotline is 1-800-322-2588.
Behavior analyst license
The Department of Health licenses behavior analysts under chapter 18.380 RCW.

Apple Health ABA and the Center of Excellence step

A child qualifies for Apple Health ABA by being evaluated by an Apple Health approved COE provider and receiving an ABA prescription. The COE completes a full diagnostic evaluation, recommends a multidisciplinary treatment plan, and orders ABA if appropriate. Your ABA provider then completes intake assessments and requests prior authorization, and services start once authorization is complete. The state notes that wait lists are common, so get on several.

  • Managed care members: call your plan to find an in-network COE and an ABA case manager.
  • Not in managed care: pick a COE from the Health Care Authority list and an ABA agency from the fee-for-service directory.
  • Clients 20 and younger must see an ABA COE provider.

Private insurance and mental health parity

Washington covers ABA on commercial plans through its Mental Health Parity Act, which E2SHB 1432 (Chapter 227, Laws of 2025) recodified and expanded. Plans that cover medical and surgical care must cover mental health services, and carriers cannot use clinical review criteria that depart from accepted standards of care. Autism is a DSM diagnosis, so ask your plan for its written ABA criteria, hours limits and appeal steps. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead, so ask HR whether your plan is fully insured in Washington.

DDA waivers for children with autism

State law counts autism as a developmental disability when it begins before age 18 and substantially limits the person. DDA runs five waivers: Basic Plus, Children's Intensive In-home Behavioral Supports, Community Protection, Core, and Individual and Family Services. To ask for waiver services, fill out the online Services and Information Request form, contact your DDA Case Resource Manager, or visit a DDA office. DDA is reviewing a move from five waivers to two, which needs federal approval.

ESIT from birth to age three

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) serves children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities, along with their families. Parents can call the Help Me Grow hotline at 1-800-322-2588 to reach a Family Resource Navigator. Health care providers can send an Early Intervention referral form instead. Start here while you wait for an ABA opening.

Licensed behavior analysts in Washington

Washington requires a license to practice applied behavior analysis, issued by the Department of Health under chapter 18.380 RCW. The state issues licensed behavior analyst and licensed assistant behavior analyst licenses, and it certifies behavior technicians. Apple Health lead therapists must hold a DOH behavior analyst license, or a qualifying DOH mental health license with a signed attestation. Ask an agency who holds the license and who supervises your child's technician.

Where Washington families find ABA

ABA supply clusters along the I-5 corridor, from Everett and Seattle through Tacoma and Olympia to Vancouver, with the Eastside suburbs of Bellevue and Redmond close behind. Spokane anchors eastern Washington, and the Tri-Cities serve the south-central part of the state. Apple Health managed care operates in every region, but not every plan is available in every area. Check the plan matrix for your county before you pick a provider.

  • ABA therapy in Seattle

    King County families in Apple Health managed care ask their plan for an in-network COE and an ABA case manager.

  • ABA therapy in Bellevue

    The Eastside's largest ABA market; check the Apple Health plan matrix for plans serving King County.

  • ABA therapy in Tacoma

    Pierce County families look for a COE in network before booking an ABA intake.

  • ABA therapy in Everett

    Snohomish County's main ABA market; the same COE evaluation applies before Apple Health ABA starts.

  • ABA therapy in Vancouver

    Clark County families can use the fee-for-service ABA directory if they are not in managed care.

  • ABA therapy in Spokane

    The main ABA market in eastern Washington; wait lists are common, so contact several Apple Health agencies.

  • ABA therapy in Kennewick

    Tri-Cities families on Apple Health get the COE evaluation first, then an ABA agency requests authorization.

  • ABA therapy in Olympia

    Thurston County families can ask the plan to connect them with an ABA case manager.

Where to start in Washington

  1. If your child is on Apple Health, call your managed care plan and ask for an in-network COE provider and an ABA case manager.
  2. Bring the COE evaluation and ABA order to every ABA agency, and join several wait lists at once.
  3. For private insurance, request your plan's written ABA criteria, hours limits and appeal steps.
  4. For a child under three, call Help Me Grow at 1-800-322-2588 while you wait for a clinic opening.

Washington ABA therapy questions

What is a Center of Excellence for Apple Health ABA in Washington?

A Center of Excellence (COE) is an individual provider, not a facility, who the Health Care Authority has approved to diagnose and order ABA. For clients 20 and younger, the COE must be an ABA COE provider. They complete a full diagnostic evaluation, recommend a multidisciplinary treatment plan and order ABA if it fits. Bring the evaluation and order to your ABA provider.

How do I find a COE if my child has an Apple Health managed care plan?

Call your managed care plan and ask for an in-network COE provider and an ABA case manager. Plans differ in their provider networks, and not every plan serves every area. If your child is not in managed care, choose from the Health Care Authority's Center of Excellence provider list, then pick an ABA agency from the fee-for-service ABA directory.

Does Washington have an autism insurance law for ABA?

Washington covers ABA on state-regulated plans through its Mental Health Parity Act, as expanded by E2SHB 1432 in 2025. Carriers cannot use clinical review criteria that depart from accepted standards of mental health care. Ask your plan for its written ABA criteria. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA rules instead of Washington law.

Can my child with autism get a DDA waiver in Washington?

Possibly. Washington law counts autism as a developmental disability if it began before age 18 and substantially limits the person. DDA offers Individual and Family Services and Children's Intensive In-home Behavioral Supports among five waivers. Request services through the online Services and Information Request form, your DDA Case Resource Manager, or a DDA office.

Who do I call for ESIT in Washington?

Call the Help Me Grow hotline at 1-800-322-2588 to speak with a Family Resource Navigator, who can connect your family with ESIT services in your area. ESIT serves children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. The ESIT program office also takes questions at 360-725-3500.

Planning resources

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 Washington.

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.

Autism rates by state

Federal autism-identification data by state.

Special needs schools in Washington

Explore school and educational-program options separately from therapy.

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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