Does ABA Count as Mental Health Services?

Does ABA Count as Mental Health Services?

Yes, ABA therapy is considered a type of mental and behavioral health service. Applied Behavior Analysis focuses on understanding and improving behaviors related to communication, social interaction, learning, and daily functioning. Because autism affects how the brain processes information and regulates behavior, ABA falls under the broader category of mental and behavioral health care.

ABA is often provided through mental health benefits in insurance plans, alongside services like psychology, counseling, and developmental therapy. It is supervised by licensed or board-certified clinicians, such as BCBAs, who are trained in behavioral science and clinical treatment planning. For many families, this is why ABA is covered under mental health or behavioral health coverage rather than general medical services.

That said, ABA is also highly developmental and educational in nature, especially for young children. Therapy sessions may look like play, structured learning, or social skills training, but they are still clinically guided and data-driven.

Understanding how ABA is classified can help families navigate insurance, referrals, and authorizations more easily.

Milestone Achievements supports families with insurance verification and personalized ABA therapy in Georgia. Contact us today to learn how we can help your child get started with the right care.

Need help accessing ABA through your mental health benefits? Contact us today!

SOURCE:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ABA/comments/1n7rq54/insurance_requiring_iep_for_aba_services/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12209169/

https://vbacalifornia.com/insurance-coverage-faqs-for-aba-therapy/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_behavior_analysis

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/career-development/4-ways-to-use-degree-in-applied-behavior-analysis/

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