In-home ABA therapy in Maryland for children with autism
Applied behavior analysis in your home and community, led by a board certified behavior analyst, for Maryland Medicaid children and young adults under 21 with autism.
Taking new clients now. Maryland Medicaid, approval requested by our office.
- Fully licensed therapists, no supervision needed
- Licensed nurse practitioners for medication
- ABA led by a board certified behavior analyst
- Maryland Medicaid accepted
What's included in ABA with Hearthway
Your child's care is led by a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The BCBA assesses your child's skills and behaviors, writes the treatment plan with you, and trains and supervises the behavior technicians who work with your child during regular sessions. Progress is measured at every session, so the plan keeps up with your child.
Every plan includes skill goals, behavior goals and goals for you as a caregiver. When a challenging behavior is part of the picture, the plan includes a behavior intervention plan that explains why the behavior happens and exactly how everyone responds to it, and a crisis plan.
Here is who does what. Your BCBA completes the assessment, writes the plan with you, trains and supervises the technicians, coaches you as a caregiver, reviews data and progress, reassesses your child before each new approval period, and coordinates with school and doctors with your permission. Your behavior technician delivers sessions at home and in the community, teaches skills in small steps using positive reinforcement, records data at every session, and works under the ongoing direction of the BCBA.
- Communication and language
- Daily living skills such as dressing, eating and hygiene
- Social and play skills
- Following routines and handling transitions
- Safety at home and in the community
- Fewer tantrums, meltdowns, aggression and self-injury
Home, community and video: what happens where
Hands-on therapy always happens in person. Some supporting parts of care can happen by two-way video where Maryland Medicaid allows it. Here is the plain version.
Before any video services start, your child's treatment plan includes a telehealth readiness checklist, and we get approval from Carelon Behavioral Health. Eligibility and approval details follow the Maryland Medical Assistance Program ABA Provider Manual, administered by Carelon.
| Part of care | Where it happens |
|---|---|
| Assessments and direct therapy sessions | In person, at home and in the community |
| Parent and caregiver training | In person, or by two-way video where Medicaid allows |
| Group caregiver training | By two-way video where Medicaid allows |
| BCBA supervision of your child's sessions | In person, or by two-way video where Medicaid allows |
| ABA by phone, hands-on ABA by video, center-based ABA | Not offered |
What drives the cost
We provide ABA through Maryland Medicaid. Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA for members under 21, and Carelon Behavioral Health must approve it before sessions begin. Our office sends that request for you, so you don't have to.
The number of hours your child receives depends on the assessment, the treatment plan and what Carelon approves. Approvals last up to 180 days. Before each new approval period, the BCBA reassesses your child and updates the plan, and we request the next approval.
We check your child's Medicaid and review the diagnosis and referral documents before anything is scheduled, and we tell you if anything is missing.
To qualify, your child needs three things: an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, a referral for ABA from a qualified health care professional, and Maryland Medicaid. Some children also need a Clinical Confirmation Form, depending on age and date of diagnosis. If you're not sure what you have, call us and we'll check what's needed.
If you have questions about an approval, a reassessment or a change in hours, our office is your contact. We explain what Carelon approved and what it means for your child's schedule before sessions change.
ABA for families in rural Maryland
Because sessions happen at home, there is no drive to a center. That matters most in rural Maryland, where a center can be far away. Skills are practiced in the places your child actually uses them: the kitchen, the yard, the store.
We offer in-home ABA across Maryland, with a focus on Western Maryland, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. Staffing depends on where you live, so we confirm it for your area when you call. We will not promise a start date before we know we can staff your child's sessions.
Community sessions matter too. Practicing a skill at the grocery store, the playground or a family outing is how it becomes part of everyday life. The BCBA plans which settings to use based on your child's goals, and the behavior intervention plan covers how the team responds wherever a session happens.
What to expect, and what we ask of you
Before treatment begins, a parent or guardian gives written consent. You take part in caregiver training, with your own goals written into the plan, and we plan together how you'll take part in sessions.
ABA is not open-ended. Plans for transition, fading and discharge are written in from the start. ABA ends when long-term goals are met, when it is no longer medically necessary, or when progress has stopped and isn't expected to improve. We don't promise specific results, because every child is different.
A behavior intervention plan is built from the BCBA's assessment and gives the whole team, including you, the same approach. It describes the behaviors clearly, what tends to trigger them and what keeps them going, the skills to teach in their place, how to prevent and respond to the behavior step by step, and how progress will be measured.
We tell you plainly when something isn't working. If progress stalls, the BCBA reviews the data with you and changes the plan, and the next approval request reflects what the reassessment shows.
Care that continues between sessions
The BCBA reviews data and progress regularly and updates the plan as your child grows. With your permission, we coordinate with your child's school, pediatrician and other providers, so everyone works from the same approach. Bring your child's IEP or 504 plan if they have one.
If your child also needs therapy or medication management, those are separate services available from our practice by video or phone for ages 6 and up.
As your child gains skills, the plan fades support step by step, with the aim of your child using those skills without a technician present. Discharge planning starts on day one, so the end of ABA is a planned handoff rather than a sudden stop.
How to get started
Step 1: Diagnosis and referral
A qualified health care professional diagnoses autism and refers your child for ABA. We don't diagnose autism ourselves.
Step 2: Eligibility check
We confirm Maryland Medicaid and review the diagnosis report and referral. We confirm staffing for your area.
Step 3: Assessment and plan
The BCBA assesses your child's skills and behaviors and writes the treatment plan with you.
Step 4: Approval and sessions
We request approval from Carelon Behavioral Health. Sessions begin at home once it is approved.
Related services
- Online therapy
One-on-one therapy with a licensed clinician by secure video or phone, for children from age 6, teens and adults anywhere in Maryland.
- Medication management
A psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication care with a licensed nurse practitioner, by video or phone, for ages 6 and up anywhere in Maryland.
- Child and teen therapy
Therapy for children 6 to 12 and teens 13 to 17 with a licensed clinician, by video or phone from home anywhere in Maryland.
Further reading
- ABA therapy cost in Maryland, and what Medicaid pays
For Maryland families with Medicaid, ABA therapy for children and young adults under 21 is covered when it is medically necessary and approved by Carelon Behavioral Health.
Questions families ask
Does Maryland Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes, for members under 21 when ABA is medically necessary. Carelon Behavioral Health must approve it first, and our office requests that approval for you.
What do I need to get started?
Your child's Maryland Medicaid card, the comprehensive diagnostic evaluation report, a referral for ABA from a qualified health care professional, the Clinical Confirmation Form if your child's age and date of diagnosis require it, and your child's IEP or 504 plan if they have one.
Who can diagnose autism and refer for ABA?
A developmental pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist, pediatrician, or nurse practitioner. We don't diagnose autism, but we can help you look for someone who does.
Can my teenager get ABA?
Yes. ABA through Maryland Medicaid is for children and young adults under 21 with an autism diagnosis, so teens qualify.
Do you come to rural counties?
We offer in-home ABA statewide with a focus on rural Maryland. Staffing depends on your location, so we confirm it for your area when you call.
Do parents have to take part?
Yes. Caregiver training is part of every plan, with goals written for you, so your child's progress continues between sessions.
Request an appointment
Leave your details and our office will call you back during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern). Or call (443) 824-4842.
Please don't include medical history, diagnoses, Social Security numbers or insurance ID numbers.