Early Intervention, School Services and ABA Therapy in Virginia: How They Fit Together

When a toddler is not talking, playing or connecting the way you expected, parents in Virginia often hear about three different kinds of help at once: early intervention, school services and ABA therapy. They are separate programs, run by different organizations, with different rules about age, eligibility and cost. They can also work side by side.

This guide explains how each one fits, what to do first, and how to start ABA therapy with BH Field from our Williamsburg office, wherever you live in Virginia.

Key takeaway: You do not have to choose. Early intervention (for children under 3) and school-based special education (from age 2 in Virginia) are public programs you can request on your own. ABA therapy is a separate, insurance-funded service for children with an autism diagnosis. Many families use them together.

Early intervention: Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

Virginia's early intervention system, under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is called the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is the lead agency. It serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who are not developing as expected, or who have a medical condition that can delay typical development (DBHDS).

What families should know:

• You can reach out yourself. Use the referral and local contact information on the ITCVA site to reach the program that serves your city or county. Eligibility is based on how your child is developing, or on a qualifying medical condition, so an autism diagnosis is not required to ask for an evaluation.
• Some steps are always free. All referred families can receive a multidisciplinary evaluation and assessment, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and service coordination at no cost (ITCVA overview).
• Other services may have a fee. Fees can apply to other early intervention supports, based on a sliding scale. Medicaid and many private insurance plans pay for some of these services, and no child or family is denied services because of an inability to pay.
• It is built around daily routines. Early intervention coaches you and your caregivers to support your child's development within the everyday activities your family already does.

School services: Early Childhood Special Education from age 2

Virginia is unusual in one helpful way. Through Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), local school divisions serve eligible children with disabilities from age 2 (with a birthday on or before September 30) through age 5. Every school division also runs a "child find" program to identify children from birth through age 21 who may need special education (8VAC20-81-50).

If your child is in early intervention, your service coordinator will help plan the move to school services as your child approaches age 3. If your child is not in early intervention, you can contact your school division directly and ask for an evaluation.

School services are designed around your child's education. They are written into an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and focus on what your child needs to learn and take part in school.

Where ABA therapy fits

ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy is a separate service. It is usually funded by health insurance or Medicaid rather than by the early intervention system or the school, and it typically requires an autism diagnosis and an insurance authorization. In Virginia:

• Many private health plans must cover ABA for autism at any age under Va. Code § 38.2-3418.17, although self-funded employer plans are generally exempt from state mandates.
• Cardinal Care, Virginia's Medicaid program, covers ABA for children and young people under 21 when it is medically necessary (DMAS).

Behavior analysts in Virginia are licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine, so you can check a provider's license yourself.

How the three can work together

Here is how families often combine them:

• Under 3, waiting on a diagnosis. Start with early intervention. It does not require a diagnosis, and it can begin while you wait for an autism evaluation.
• Under 3, with an autism diagnosis. Your child can stay in early intervention and also start ABA therapy if insurance authorizes it. Tell your service coordinator about ABA, and tell your BCBA about your IFSP, so the goals support each other.
• Ages 2 to 5. Your child may qualify for ECSE through your school division. ABA therapy can continue alongside it, at home or, where the school allows it, at school.
• School age. An IEP covers your child's educational needs. ABA therapy, when it is medically necessary and authorized, addresses goals across home, school and community.

With your permission, we are glad to coordinate with your child's early intervention team or school so everyone works toward the same goals.

How to start ABA therapy with BH Field in Virginia

BH Field is now open in Virginia. Our office is at 1311 Jamestown Rd, Ste 202, Williamsburg, VA 23185, and we serve families across the whole state.

We do not have a clinic in Virginia yet, so here is how services work:

• Direct ABA therapy is delivered in person by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at your home or at your child's school.
• Telehealth is used for assessments, BCBA supervision and parent training. It is not used for your child's direct therapy sessions.
• Our team is bilingual in English and Spanish.

What the intake process looks like

Our intake has nine stages, and it typically takes 2 to 16 weeks from your first contact to your child's first session:

1. You complete the questionnaire.
2. We contact you within 24 hours.
3. You send your documents. This stage is entirely yours, and it sets the pace of everything after it.
4. We build your intake package in 1 to 3 business days, including verifying your insurance benefits.
5. Insurance approves the assessment, in 1 day to 4 weeks.
6. Your BCBA assesses your child and writes the report, in 1 to 2 weeks.
7. Clinical review, in 2 to 4 business days.
8. Insurance approves treatment, in 1 day to 4 weeks.
9. We match your team, in 1 business day to 4 weeks.

The two insurance approvals and therapist matching drive that range. Matching depends on how flexible your schedule is, any language or therapist-gender preference, and your location, because in-home services depend on an RBT who covers your area. If we cannot staff your case quickly, we will tell you honestly.

What to have ready

To move quickly, gather:

• Your child's autism diagnosis report
• Both sides of every insurance card your child has
• Any IFSP or IEP, if your child already has one

If you do not have a diagnosis yet, early intervention or your school division may be the right first step while you arrange an evaluation. You can still call us with questions.

Reach us at (877) 438-1265 or info@bhfield.com.

Next steps

• See how we serve families statewide on our Virginia page.
• Start ABA therapy and we will contact you within 24 hours.
• Use the ABA intake checklist to gather your documents.
• Learn how we check your coverage on our insurance verification page.