The best ABA therapy in the SF Bay Area

If your child has been diagnosed with autism, you’ve probably been recommended applied behavior analysis, also known as ABA therapy. A great ABA therapist, technically called a BCBA (Board Certified Behavioral Analyst), can help improve your child’s communication skills, introduce productive habits, and reduce any harmful behaviors (such as self-injury). Finding high quality ABA for your child can be tough — you may have heard horror stories or read bad reviews online. So, where should you go for good ABA?

 

We made almost 50 phone calls in the community, surveyed parents online, emailed other professionals for recommendations, read hundreds of reviews, and interviewed the finalists to find the best options for ABA in the SF Bay Area:

 

 

Behavioral Intervention Associates (BIA) | Website | Multiple Locations in the Bay Area (San Mateo & Emeryville)

 

Known for: Services for Kids Ages 18 Months — 18 Years | Hybrid Program — Virtual, Clinic, Community, & Home Therapy Options | Women Owned

 

Why we love them: If you ask parents who they recommend for ABA, BIA will most likely come up first. They have over 20 years of experience and have grown to be one of the best clinics for ABA in the Bay. This team takes the time to create the perfect plan for your child and family’s unique needs. In order to achieve optimal, well-rounded results, BIA provides services via a hybrid model. This approach helps children remember all the new skills they learn during therapy!

 

Waitlist: None

 

Insurance: Aetna, Advantek, Beacon (Central California Alliance for Health), The Behavioral Health Provider Network (BHPN-Easter Seals), Blue Cross/Anthem (California and Out of State Plans), Blue Cross/Anthem Medi-Cal, Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal (FEP), Cigna, Contra Costa Health Plan, Managed Health Network (MHN), Optum, Partnership HealthPlan of California (Marin), San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Sante, United Healthcare

 

Regional Center Partners: Regional Center of the East Bay, Golden Gate Regional Center, Central Valley Regional Center, San Andreas Regional Center

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 9–5 | 877-BIA-AUTISM (877-242–2884) | patientservices@bia4autism.com

 

 

Bay ABA | Website | Serves Families from SF to San Jose

 

Known for: Services for Kids Ages 1–18 | Diverse Team & Leadership | Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Pivotal Response Training (PRT) | Home, School, & Community Therapy Options | Small Company & Therapist Run

 

Why we love them: Bay ABA does an incredible job of maintaining a high quality team. Started by two BCBAs, Aaron and Leah wanted to create a truly inclusive space by hiring specialists from all different types of backgrounds. Sessions are available at your home, at school, in any daycare or camp settings, and out in the community such as at play-places, parks, or sporting practices.

 

Waitlist: 3 months, possibly shorter or longer depending on location and availability

 

Insurance: Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Magellan Health, Anthem Blue Cross, United Health Care, and Optum Health / United Behavioral Health

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 8–6:30 | Contact Form

 

 

All Better Together | Website | Serves East Bay Area Families

 

Known for: Services for Kids Ages 0–18 | 1:1 Therapy During the Day, Evening, or Weekends | Virtual, Community, School, Clinic, & Home ABA Therapy Options | Bilingual Staff (Mandarin & Spanish)

 

Why we love them: All Better Together only hires therapists full-time because they understand that it takes talented, devoted, well-trained, and all-in staff to achieve real results. They are a small clinic that is determined to provide the best services any time of the week for autistic and neurodivergent children. We love that All Better Together works around your schedule and what is best for your family.

 

Waitlist: 1–3 months for morning assessments or 1:1 services, 6–9 month waiting period if you prefer afternoon, evening, or weekend-only appointments

 

Insurance: Aetna, Blue Shield of California (for plans administered by Magellan), Cigna, ComPsych, Magellan, Tricare, UMR, United Behavioral Health, United Healthcare, OON, Anthem, Kaiser, MHN

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 9–5 business hours (extended hours available for appointments weekday evenings, and weekends all day) | 510–517–6949 | abt@allbettertogether.com | Contact Form

 

 

MeBe | Website | Los Gatos, CA

 

Known for: Multiple Services for Neurodivergent Kids Ages 1–5 | Home & Clinic Therapy Options | Family Owned & Women-Led

 

Why we love them: MeBe was founded by busy parents for busy parents. They specialize in the best experience possible for younger children. The ABA team will put together a care plan that celebrates your child’s individuality and unique needs. All MeBe therapists and staff are trained to work together and collaborate across different disciplines for the best possible outcomes. They also offer speech therapy and occupational therapy in their clinics if needed.

 

Waitlist: 60–90 days for morning and mid-day sessions, 6+ months for afternoon sessions

 

Insurance: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Medi-Cal, Beacon, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Magellan, MultiPlan, Tricare, United Healthcare, Valley Health Plan

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 8–6 | 619–795–9925 | Contact Form

 

 

Cortica | Website | San Rafael & East Bay in-home ABA

 

Known for: Multiple Services for Neurodivergent Kids Ages 2–21 | Natural Environment Teaching (NET) | Virtual, Clinic & Home Therapy Options

 

Why we love them: You can expect the best of the best at Cortica. Therapists are led and trained by respected doctors. The entire staff is also very friendly, attentive, supportive, caring, and strives to make every family feel welcomed and understood. Cortica will help you as a parent better understand, support, and advocate for your child. Cortica is a multidisciplinary clinic and also offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, medical services, family counseling, parent coaching, and more!

 

Waitlist: 2–3 months for direct services (weekly parent coaching can begin right after the initial assessment)

 

Insurance: Aetna (PPO, POS, and EPO), Anthem Blue Cross (PPO and EPO), Blue Shield (PPO, includes Covered California), Cigna (PPO), Health Net ( PPO, POS, and EPO), MultiPlan (check your ID card for a MultiPlan logo), UnitedHealthcare (PPO), Cigna Behavioral Health, Magellan Health, MHN (a Health Net company), Optum, Medi-Cal (Magellan Health, Optum, Alameda Alliance for Health, Gold Coast Health Plan, and San Francisco Health Plan)

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 8–7 | 628–877–0040 | info@corticacare.com

 

 

ACES | Website | Multiple Locations (Concord, Hayward, Newark, San Bruno, & more)

 

Known for: Services for Kids 0–18 | Experienced Staff | Virtual, Clinic, & Home Therapy Options | Bilingual Staff (Spanish) | Woman Owned

 

Why we love them: Ask any of the parents and caregivers working with ACES and they will describe the team as caring and dedicated. With over 27 years of experience and clinical excellence in the field of ABA, ACES has created a big and loving community. They also offer amazing social skills group training in their offices and telehealth (online programs) for teens. Their services are comprehensive, individualized, and one of the best.

 

Waitlist: One month or less

 

Insurance: Accepts all commercial insurance. Please contact ACES directly for more information.

 

Hours & Contact: M-W 8–7, TH-S 8:45–1 | 855–357–6322| Contact Form