Do you accept Florida Medicaid?

Yes. We're a Florida Medicaid-approved provider, and most of the families we work with are covered through Medicaid or a Medicaid managed care plan (Sunshine Health, Humana, Simply, Molina). If you're not sure what your plan covers, call us and we'll check for you.

What is ABA therapy, and how does it help my child?

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a hands-on therapy that helps children with autism build everyday skills, communication, and confidence. Sessions are playful and tailored to your child. The goal isn't to change who they are. It's to give them tools to navigate their world more easily.

How does ABA therapy work?

ABA therapy works by breaking everyday skills (communicating, asking for help, following routines, playing with peers) into small, teachable steps. A BCBA designs a plan based on what your child needs, and a therapist works one-on-one with your child, using positive reinforcement when they try a new skill. Progress is tracked session by session, and the plan adjusts as your child grows. Parents are part of every step so the skills carry into daily life at home.

How long does ABA therapy last?

It varies by child. Many families do ABA for one to three years, while some children benefit from longer-term support and others meet their goals sooner. Your BCBA reviews progress regularly and recommends adjustments, including stepping down hours as your child grows more independent. There's no fixed end date — the right length is whatever helps your child reach the goals you set together.

How do I know if my child needs ABA?

If your child has an autism diagnosis or your pediatrician has raised concerns about communication, behavior, or social skills, ABA may help. We offer free phone consultations to talk through what you're seeing at home and whether ABA makes sense for your family.

Do I need a referral or an autism diagnosis to start?

Florida Medicaid requires an autism diagnosis (or another qualifying condition) for ABA coverage. If your child hasn't been evaluated yet, we can point you to providers who do diagnostic evaluations and walk you through the next steps.

Is there a waitlist, and how soon can we start?

We try to keep waitlists short. After your first call, we usually schedule an initial assessment within a couple of weeks, and services can begin once your Medicaid plan approves the treatment plan.

Where does therapy happen, at home or in a center?

Both. We come to your home, meet at our Key West office, or work in the community (school, park, grocery store) wherever your child needs the support. Many families prefer in-home so skills carry over to daily life.

What does a typical session look like?

A therapist works one-on-one with your child, usually for 2 to 4 hours at a time, mixing structured teaching with play. You'll get regular updates from the BCBA overseeing your child's plan, and parent training is built in so you can keep the progress going between sessions.

How many hours per week will my child need?

It depends on your child. After the initial assessment, the BCBA recommends a number of hours based on your child's needs and goals. Some children do well with 10 hours a week, others benefit from more. We'll explain the recommendation in plain language so you can decide together.

Can I tour the office or meet the team before starting?

Absolutely. Stop by our Key West office, meet the team, ask anything. We want you to feel comfortable before your child starts. There's no pressure to commit.

Do you offer services in Spanish?

Yes. Our team works fluently in English and Spanish, and we match families with therapists who speak the language you use at home.

Guide

What Is ABA Therapy? A Complete Guide to Coverage, Cost, and Care in Florida

If you're a Florida parent looking into ABA therapy for a child on the autism spectrum, the terminology and paperwork can be overwhelming. This guide explains what Applied Behavior Analysis actually is, how Florida Medicaid ABA coverage works, what happens after age 21 through the iBudget Waiver, and how to take the first steps — whether you're in Miami-Dade, Key West, or anywhere between.

What ABA Therapy Actually Is

ABA therapy — short for Applied Behavior Analysis — is a research-based approach that helps children with autism build communication, social, and daily-living skills while reducing behaviors that interfere with learning. Rather than a single technique, ABA is a framework: therapists observe how a child learns, break new skills into small teachable steps, and reinforce progress consistently across settings, including in-home ABA therapy.

Florida has required insurance coverage for autism-related treatment, including ABA, since 2008 under the state's autism insurance mandate — a foundation that shaped how Applied Behavior Analysis is delivered across the state today.

Does Florida Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy?

Yes. For children under 21, Florida Medicaid ABA coverage is available under the federal EPSDT benefit (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment). To access services, families need a doctor's order documenting medical necessity — typically from a pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, or licensed diagnostician — and prior authorization from the plan.

Starting in 2025, Behavior Analysis services in Florida have shifted into the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program. In practice, this means the ABA provider you choose must be in-network with the family's specific managed care plan — not just Medicaid in general. Confirming the right plan and network is one of the most important steps before starting services.

Read our full Florida Medicaid guide or see accepted insurance plans.

What About Adults Over 21?

After age 21, EPSDT no longer applies. In Florida, adults with developmental disabilities can access Behavior Analysis and related supports through the iBudget Waiver, administered by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). The waiver funds an individualized budget based on each person's needs, which can include behavior analysis services when clinically justified.

Learn more about the iBudget Waiver →

In Dr. Permuy's Words

ABA is not a space for improvisation.
— Dr. Luis Permuy, Founder & CEO, Permuy Diversity Intervention LLC

Continuity is not optional. It is the treatment.
— Dr. Luis Permuy, Founder & CEO, Permuy Diversity Intervention LLC

Real intervention begins with observation and humility.
— Dr. Luis Permuy, Founder & CEO, Permuy Diversity Intervention LLC

How to Get Started

Get a diagnosis or referral. Ask your pediatrician or a developmental specialist for an evaluation and a written order documenting medical necessity.
Choose an in-network ABA provider. Confirm the provider is in-network with your specific Medicaid managed care plan (or private insurance).
Assessment. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst completes an assessment and builds an individualized treatment plan for prior authorization.
Begin services. Once authorized, therapy begins — often in-home, in the community, or in a clinical setting, depending on the plan.

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About the Author

Author

Luis D. Permuy, LMHC

Founder & Clinical Director, Permuy Diversity Intervention LLC

Luis D. Permuy is an autism, mental health, and human development specialist with more than twenty-five years of clinical and academic experience. He is the founder and clinical director of Permuy Diversity Intervention LLC.

View Luis's full credentials →