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Frequently asked questions about ABA therapy
Helping Hands ABA (Helping Hands Child Care LLC)
In-home ABA therapy for children ages 2–18 in Athens, GA and nearby communities
Questions? Call 706-817-0732 (24/7, English and Spanish) or email info@helpinghandschildcare.org
What is ABA therapy?
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children build everyday skills, such as communication, social, play and daily living skills, and reduce behaviors that get in the way of learning and safety, such as tantrums or aggression. At Helping Hands ABA, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs and supervises each child’s program, and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) work directly with your child. A child’s team usually includes one BCBA and one to three RBTs. Learn more about our approach in Compassionate Care in ABA.
Who qualifies for ABA therapy at Helping Hands?
Children and teens ages 2 to 18 who have an autism diagnosis and live in our service area. Insurance requires documentation of the autism diagnosis, such as a diagnostic evaluation, before ABA services can be approved. During the intake call we confirm that your home is within our service area, that your family is available for in-home therapy, and that your child’s needs fit our services.
What ages do you serve?
We serve children and teens from 2 to 18 years old.
Where do therapy sessions take place?
All sessions are in person; we do not offer telehealth. Therapy happens in your home, and can also take place at your child’s school or daycare when the school or daycare welcomes us. Our office at 196 Alps Rd Ste 70, Athens, GA 30606 is an administrative office, and therapy sessions do not take place there.
What insurance do you accept? Do you take Medicaid?
Yes, we accept Medicaid. We also accept Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareSource, Cigna, Humana, Molina and Peach State. Coverage depends on your plan, so we verify your insurance benefits before services begin. See Getting Started for the full process.
How much does ABA therapy cost?
Families with Georgia Medicaid have no out-of-pocket cost for ABA therapy with us. With private insurance, your cost depends on your plan (for example a copay, coinsurance or deductible), and we verify your benefits and talk through what your plan covers before services begin.
How do I get started?
Call us at 706-817-0732 or fill out the form on our Contact page. Then:
1. Intake phone call (about 30 minutes) about your goals, concerns and availability.
2. We verify your insurance eligibility.
3. You send your child’s diagnosis report, insurance card (front and back), letter of medical necessity and IEP (if available) to our secure email, adavis@helpinghandschildcare.org.
4. We request approval for an assessment from your insurance (usually about 2 weeks to 1 month).
5. A BCBA completes an in-person assessment and writes a treatment plan, which is submitted to your insurance.
6. Once insurance approves the hours and staff are scheduled, we review the plan with you and therapy begins.
Is there a waitlist? How soon can services start?
We currently have openings for morning sessions with no waitlist. Call us at 706-817-0732 to check availability for other times. Timing also depends on insurance: approval for the assessment usually takes about 2 weeks to 1 month, completing the assessment takes 2 to 3 weeks, and approval of the treatment plan usually takes another 2 weeks to 1 month. Services begin once the plan is approved and a consistent schedule and staff are in place, so we can’t promise a start date before the assessment.
Do you offer services in Spanish?
Yes. Many of our therapists are fluent in English and Spanish, all intake forms, policies and therapy documents are available in Spanish, and a translator joins team meetings and parent training in person or by phone. Our answering service is available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
How many hours of therapy will my child get each week?
Therapy hours are based on each child’s needs, typically 4 to 30 hours per week. The recommended hours come from your child’s assessment and must be approved by your insurance, so we confirm hours after the assessment.
Do parents need to be involved?
Yes. Unlike clinic models where children are dropped off, parents and caregivers stay present and engaged during in-home therapy, and caregiver participation is expected. Practicing new skills at home and in daily routines helps children use them across environments. Read more in Why Families Play a Critical Role in Helping Their Child Practice New Skills Across Environments.
What areas do you serve?
We serve families in Athens, Watkinsville, Bogart, Hull and Winterville, in Clarke, Oconee, Madison and Barrow counties, Georgia. During the intake call we check your home address to confirm it is within our service area. If you’re nearby and not sure, call us at 706-817-0732.