Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy — North Carolina
ABA Therapy for Children
with Autism
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the gold-standard, evidence-based therapy for autism — and it's what we do every day at our clinics in Mooresville and Statesville, NC.
What Is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis — ABA — is a therapy rooted in the science of learning and behavior. It uses evidence-based techniques to understand why behaviors occur, then applies that knowledge to teach new skills and reduce barriers to learning.
ABA therapy is widely recognized as the most researched and effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Psychological Association, and covered by most major insurance plans — including NC Medicaid.
At its core, ABA therapy breaks complex skills into small, measurable steps and teaches them through consistent practice, positive reinforcement, and ongoing data collection. Every program is individualized — no two children receive the same plan.
The gold standard for autism treatment
The U.S. Surgeon General has identified ABA as among the best-established, evidence-based treatments for autism. Decades of research show that early, intensive ABA therapy leads to meaningful, lasting improvements in communication, social skills, and quality of life for children with ASD.
Skills ABA Therapy Builds
Every child's ABA program targets the skills most meaningful to them — building a foundation that supports learning, independence, and connection.
Communication Skills
Building the ability to express needs, wants, and thoughts — whether through words, pictures, sign language, or AAC devices.
- Requesting items and activities
- Following directions
- Answering and asking questions
- Using language to comment and share
Social Skills
Learning how to connect and interact with others — from eye contact and turn-taking to making friends and navigating social situations.
- Joint attention and eye contact
- Turn-taking and sharing
- Peer interaction and play
- Understanding social cues and emotions
Daily Living Skills
Building the independence and self-care routines that support quality of life — at home, at school, and in the community.
- Toileting and personal hygiene
- Getting dressed and self-care
- Mealtime and feeding skills
- Community safety and routines
School Readiness & Learning
Developing the foundational academic and behavioral skills children need to succeed in a classroom setting.
- Attending and sitting behaviors
- Following group instructions
- Pre-academic and literacy skills
- Task completion and transitions
Behavior & Emotional Regulation
Understanding the function of challenging behaviors and teaching more effective, appropriate ways to communicate needs.
- Reducing tantrums and aggression
- Coping strategies for frustration
- Flexible thinking and transitions
- Self-regulation and calming skills
Play & Leisure Skills
Teaching children how to explore, engage, and find joy — because play is how children learn about themselves and the world around them.
- Independent and imaginative play
- Cooperative and group play
- Toy use and exploration
- Generalizing play across settings
How ABA Therapy Works
ABA therapy uses a set of evidence-based teaching methods, selected and combined by your child's BCBA to best match their learning style and goals.
Structured, Repetitive Learning
Skills are broken into small components and practiced in a structured, one-on-one format. DTT is particularly effective for teaching foundational skills like language, imitation, and matching concepts.
Learning Through Everyday Life
Skills are taught in natural, everyday settings using the child's own interests and motivations. NET embeds learning into play, routines, and activities to make skills more meaningful and easier to generalize.
Building Functional Communication
Based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of language, VB therapy focuses on the function of communication — teaching children to use language to make requests, label items, answer questions, and engage socially.
Replacing Challenging Behaviors
FCT identifies why a challenging behavior is happening (its function) and teaches a more appropriate communication skill to replace it. It is one of the most evidence-based approaches for reducing difficult behaviors.
ABA therapy is not guesswork. Your child's therapists collect data during every session, and your supervising BCBA reviews that data regularly to measure progress and adjust the treatment plan. You'll always know exactly how your child is doing — and why we make the decisions we make.
Center-Based vs. In-Home ABA Therapy
Both models have value — here's how they differ and what we offer.
🏫 Center-Based ABA Therapy
Our primary service at both NC locations
🏠 In-Home ABA Therapy
Available as a supplemental service
Does Insurance Cover ABA Therapy in North Carolina?
Yes — most major insurance plans in NC cover ABA therapy for children diagnosed with autism. Here's what you need to know.
NC Medicaid
NC Medicaid covers ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis. We accept all major NC Medicaid plans including Healthy Blue, Carolina Complete Health, Partners Health, and UHC Community Plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC
BCBS NC covers ABA therapy at both our Mooresville and Statesville locations. We are an in-network provider. We verify your specific benefits before your child begins therapy.
Aetna
We accept Aetna commercial plans. ABA therapy is generally covered for children with an autism diagnosis. Coverage details vary by plan — we verify at no cost.
Carolina Complete Health
We accept Carolina Complete Health (Medicaid). ABA therapy is a covered benefit for qualifying children with autism spectrum disorder.
Partners Health
We accept Partners Health (managed care/Medicaid). We work directly with Partners on authorizations to streamline the process for families.
Not sure about your plan?
We verify insurance coverage at no cost. Even if you don't see your plan listed, call us — we may still be able to help, or we can point you in the right direction.
We handle the entire insurance process for you. When you contact us, we'll reach out to your insurer directly, verify your ABA therapy benefits, confirm authorization requirements, and walk you through what to expect — all at no cost to you, before therapy begins.
What Does an ABA Therapy Session Look Like?
For young children, ABA therapy looks a lot like play — and that's by design. Our therapists use games, activities, and each child's own interests to make learning natural, engaging, and motivating.
A typical session at our clinics includes structured teaching time with the RBT, play-based activities in our therapy spaces, and short breaks built in to keep energy and engagement high. Sessions are never rigid or robotic — we adapt in real time to what each child needs.
- ✅ One-on-one time with a trained RBT
- ✅ Play-based learning using the child's interests
- ✅ Structured activities targeting specific skill goals
- ✅ Positive reinforcement — never punishment
- ✅ Data collected every session to track progress
- ✅ BCBA review and plan adjustments regularly
- ✅ Parent meetings built into your child's schedule
Is ABA Therapy Right for My Child?
ABA therapy is appropriate for a wide range of children. Here's when families typically seek ABA therapy in NC.
Early Intervention (Ages 18 months – 5 years)
Early ABA therapy takes advantage of the brain's greatest period of plasticity. Children who begin ABA early often make the most significant gains in communication, social, and adaptive skills. Early intervention is always recommended when concerns arise.
School-Age Children (Ages 5 – 12)
ABA therapy supports school-age children with autism in building the academic, social, and behavioral skills they need to succeed in school and the community. Programs can be coordinated with school IEPs when relevant.
Pre-Teens & Adolescents (Ages 12+)
ABA therapy for older children focuses on independence, social skills, and community integration. Programs are tailored to age-appropriate goals and the specific challenges adolescents with autism face.
New Diagnoses & Waitlisted Families
Just received a diagnosis? Now is the time to act. ABA therapy waitlists in NC can be long — contacting providers early gives your child the best chance of starting therapy quickly. We aim to move families through intake as fast as possible.
How to Get ABA Therapy in North Carolina
Starting ABA therapy in NC is simpler than many families expect. Here's what the process looks like at Adaptive Pediatric Therapy.
Free Consultation
Call (980) 746-0005 or request online. Our clinical team will discuss your child's needs, answer every question, and help you choose the right location.
Insurance Verified
We contact your insurance directly and verify your ABA therapy benefits at no cost to you — before any commitment is made.
BCBA Assessment
Your child's supervising BCBA conducts a full evaluation of your child's skills, needs, and goals — then builds a fully individualized treatment plan.
Therapy Begins
Your child starts therapy at our Mooresville or Statesville clinic. Progress updates and parent meetings are built in from day one.
ABA Therapy Clinics in Mooresville & Statesville, NC
Two purpose-built ABA therapy clinics serving families throughout the Lake Norman region and Iredell County.
ABA Therapy in Mooresville, NC
📍 249 Williamson Rd, STE 200 · Mooresville, NC 28117
🕐 Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Off I-77
Serving Mooresville, Lake Norman, Huntersville, Cornelius, Denver, and Davidson.
Learn about this clinic →
ABA Therapy in Statesville, NC
📍 1113 Davie Ave · Statesville, NC 28677
🕐 Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Free parking
Serving Statesville, Iredell County, Troutman, Harmony, Kannapolis, and Salisbury.
Learn about this clinic →Request a free consultation
Our clinical team will discuss your child's needs, answer every question, and verify your insurance at no cost. Most families hear back within 1 business day.
Free consultation 🌟
We'll reach out within 1 business day
Free · Confidential · We verify your insurance for you
ABA Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything families want to know about ABA therapy — answered clearly.