Uncertainty about "what happens next" is one of the most stressful parts of starting therapy, whether your family is in Kent County, Ottawa County, or anywhere else across our West and Central Michigan service area. Here is exactly what happens, in order, when your family reaches out to Maple ABA Therapy.
Step 1: First Contact
You reach out by phone or through our online form. Within 48 hours, a member of our team calls to learn about your child and answer initial questions about how in-home ABA works.
Step 2: Insurance Verification
If you have insurance information ready, we begin verifying your specific benefits immediately, at no cost. This typically takes a few days to about two weeks depending on your insurer.
Step 3: Comprehensive Assessment
Once benefits are confirmed, our BCBA schedules an in-home comprehensive assessment — a genuine, direct observation of your child, not a brief intake form. See our Clinical Standards page for what this assessment involves.
Step 4: Treatment Plan Development
Using everything gathered during the assessment, our BCBA builds an individualized treatment plan: specific, measurable goals, recommended session frequency, and a plan for parent involvement. This is typically completed within one to two weeks of the assessment.
Step 5: RBT Matching and Training
Your child is matched with a consistent Registered Behavior Technician, trained specifically on their individual treatment plan before the first session begins.
Step 6: Ongoing Sessions and Regular Review
Regular sessions begin on a schedule that works for your family. Our BCBA reviews progress data on an ongoing, defined schedule and directly observes sessions periodically, adjusting the treatment plan as your child grows and changes.
What You Can Expect at Each Step
| Step | Typical Timeframe | What You'll Know Afterward |
|---|---|---|
| First contact | Within 48 hours | General overview and next steps |
| Insurance verification | A few days to ~2 weeks | Exact expected out-of-pocket costs |
| Assessment | 1–3 sessions | Nothing formal yet — data collection phase |
| Treatment plan | 1–2 weeks after assessment | Specific goals and session recommendations |
| Ongoing sessions | Continuous, with regular reviews | Real progress data, shared on an ongoing basis |
Communication Throughout
At every step, we try to over-communicate rather than leave you guessing. You should always know what the next step is and roughly when it will happen — if that's not the case at any point, tell us directly.
What Happens If Something Changes
Life happens — schedules shift, needs change, priorities evolve. Our process is built to accommodate this: treatment plans are revisited regularly, session scheduling can be adjusted, and you're never locked into a rigid structure that doesn't reflect your family's actual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the entire process take, from first call to starting therapy?
This varies by family, largely based on insurance authorization timelines, but many families move from first contact to starting regular sessions within a few weeks to a couple of months.
Can we start the assessment before insurance is fully verified?
In some cases, yes, depending on your specific situation — ask us directly, since this can sometimes help avoid unnecessary delay.
What if we need to pause the process partway through?
That's completely reasonable. Let us know, and we'll pick back up where you left off when you're ready.
Do we meet the BCBA before committing to services?
Yes — the assessment itself is conducted personally by our BCBA, giving you direct interaction before any long-term commitment.
References
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) — assessment and treatment plan documentation standards
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services — insurance authorization timelines