ABA Therapy in Edina, MN

Welcome to Edina

Welcome to Edina, a community that prides itself on educational excellence, high-quality healthcare, and a supportive environment for families. Whether you are strolling through Centennial Lakes Park, shopping at 50th & France, or navigating the busy corridors of the Southdale area, you know that this city offers a unique blend of suburban comfort and urban accessibility. However, for families navigating a new diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the beautiful scenery and top-tier amenities can sometimes fade into the background as the focus shifts entirely to finding the best possible care for their child.

If you are reading this guide, you are likely at the beginning of a significant journey or looking to refine the support system you already have in place. You are not alone. Edina and the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area are home to a vibrant, resilient community of parents, caregivers, and neurodiverse individuals. Minnesota is widely recognized as a leader in healthcare services, and specifically, Edina serves as a central hub for some of the state's most reputable pediatric therapy providers.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is often the first recommendation made by developmental pediatricians and psychologists following an autism diagnosis. It is considered the gold standard for autism treatment, but understanding what it is—and how to access it in Hennepin County—can be overwhelming. This guide is designed specifically for Edina families. We aim to demystify the process, explain the local landscape of insurance and providers, and offer a roadmap to help your child thrive. From the initial assessment to the daily routine of therapy, we are here to walk you through every step of the way, ensuring you feel empowered to make the best decisions for your family.

Understanding ABA Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis, commonly known as ABA therapy, is an evidence-based scientific discipline that focuses on understanding how behavior works, how it is affected by the environment, and how learning takes place. While it is most famous for its application in treating Autism Spectrum Disorder, the principles of ABA are actually present in everyday life for everyone. However, in a therapeutic setting for children in Edina, ABA is a structured, data-driven approach designed to bring about meaningful, positive changes in behavior.

At its core, ABA therapy operates on the principle that behaviors which are reinforced will increase, while behaviors that are not reinforced will decrease. This sounds simple, but the application is highly sophisticated. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will design a customized treatment plan tailored specifically to your child's unique needs, strengths, and challenges. Unlike a "one-size-fits-all" curriculum, ABA looks at the individual child. If a child struggles with communication, the therapy focuses heavily on verbal behavior or alternative communication methods. If a child has difficulty with social interactions at school or on the playground, the therapy targets social skills and turn-taking.

There are several key methodologies used within modern ABA therapy that parents should understand. The most traditional form is Discrete Trial Training (DTT). This involves breaking down complex skills into very small, "discrete" components. The therapist teaches each component one by one using prompts and positive reinforcement. For example, learning to brush teeth might be broken down into picking up the toothbrush, wetting it, applying paste, and so on.

However, modern ABA has evolved significantly to include Natural Environment Training (NET). This is particularly popular in Minnesota clinics and home-based settings because it allows children to learn through play and natural routines. Instead of sitting at a table, the therapist might work on color identification while playing with blocks on the floor, or practice social greetings while walking through a park. This helps with "generalization," ensuring the child can use their new skills in the real world, not just in a therapy room.

Another critical aspect of ABA is the reduction of challenging behaviors. These might include tantrums, aggression, or self-injury. ABA therapists do not just try to "stop" the behavior; they seek to understand the function of the behavior. Is the child acting out to escape a task? To get attention? To access a toy? Or because of sensory needs? By identifying the "why," therapists can teach the child a replacement behavior—a safer, more effective way to get their needs met.

Effectiveness is a hallmark of ABA. Decades of research have demonstrated that intensive, long-term ABA therapy can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism in areas such as IQ, language, and daily living skills. It is endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association. However, it is important to note that the goal of contemporary, compassionate ABA is not to change who the child is or to suppress their personality. Rather, the goal is to give them the tools they need to navigate the world independently and happily, maximizing their potential while respecting their neurodiversity.

Insurance & Coverage in MN

Navigating insurance coverage for ABA therapy is often the most stressful part of the process for parents, but the good news is that Minnesota has some of the strongest autism insurance mandates in the country. Understanding the landscape of coverage in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is essential for Edina families to minimize out-of-pocket costs and maximize the services their children receive.

Minnesota State Mandate Minnesota state law requires that all fully insured health plans sold in the state must provide coverage for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including ABA therapy. This mandate applies to children under the age of 18. This is a crucial protection for families, ensuring that insurance companies cannot arbitrarily deny ABA therapy as "experimental" or "educational," which was a common hurdle in the past.

Private Insurance (Commercial Plans) If you live in Edina, you likely have insurance through a major employer or a plan purchased on the exchange. The major players in Minnesota—Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, HealthPartners, Medica, and UCare—all have established protocols for ABA coverage.

• Medical Necessity: To qualify for coverage, you typically need a diagnostic assessment (DA) from a qualified professional (like a psychologist or developmental pediatrician) dated within the last 12 to 24 months. The therapy must be deemed "medically necessary."
• Prior Authorization: Your ABA provider will submit a treatment plan to your insurance company to get authorization for hours. This is usually done every 6 months.
• Costs: Even with coverage, you are subject to your plan’s deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Given that ABA can involve 10 to 40 hours of therapy per week, families often hit their out-of-pocket maximums early in the year.

Medical Assistance (MA) and TEFRA This is perhaps the most important resource for Minnesota families to understand. Minnesota offers Medical Assistance (Medicaid) to children with disabilities regardless of parental income through the TEFRA option. TEFRA (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) allows children with significant disabilities to qualify for MA even if their parents earn too much money to qualify for standard Medicaid.

• Why is this vital? TEFRA can act as a secondary insurance to your private commercial insurance. It can cover the copays and deductibles that your private insurance leaves behind. For many Edina families, TEFRA is the financial safety net that makes intensive therapy affordable.
• The EIDBI Benefit: In Minnesota, ABA services often fall under the EIDBI (Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention) benefit. This is a specific state program designed to provide medically necessary treatment for people under age 21 with ASD. EIDBI covers a wide range of services, including family/caregiver training and intervention.

Self-Funded Plans A caveat for some Edina residents working for large, multi-state corporations: If your employer has a "self-funded" (ERISA) plan, they are technically exempt from state mandates. However, most large companies now voluntarily cover ABA therapy due to its standard-of-care status. It is imperative to call your HR department or benefits administrator to verify specific autism benefits if you are on a self-funded plan.

The Cost of Therapy Without Insurance Without insurance, ABA therapy is prohibitively expensive for most, costing anywhere from $60,000 to over $100,000 per year depending on the intensity (hours per week). This highlights the absolute necessity of securing proper insurance coverage or applying for TEFRA immediately upon diagnosis.

Minnesota also has a unique landscape regarding "provider networks." Some boutique clinics in the Edina/Minneapolis area may be out-of-network for certain insurance plans. While out-of-network benefits exist, they usually carry much higher deductibles. Always verify that both the agency and the specific BCBA overseeing your child's case are in-network with your provider.

Finding the Right Provider

Edina is geographically positioned in a "sweet spot" for accessing therapy services. Located near the border of Minneapolis and close to suburbs like Bloomington and Richfield, Edina families have access to a high concentration of clinics. However, finding a provider is about more than just proximity; it is about finding the right "fit" for your family’s values and your child’s needs.

Clinic-Based vs. Home-Based Therapy The first decision to make is the setting.

• Center-Based (Clinic): Edina has several clinics within its borders or just a short drive away (near Southdale or off Highway 100). Clinics offer a structured environment, opportunities for social interaction with peers, and access to specialized sensory gyms. This is often ideal for preparing children for a classroom setting.
• Home-Based: Therapists come to your house. This is excellent for working on daily living skills (toileting, dressing, eating) and sibling interactions in the natural environment. However, it requires a family member to be present, and it can feel invasive to have staff in your home for many hours a week.
• Hybrid: Many Minnesota providers offer a hybrid model, which provides the best of both worlds.

Evaluating the Staff The clinical team is led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This is the person who writes the plan and analyzes the data. The direct therapy is delivered by Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Therapists.

• Caseload: Ask how many cases each BCBA manages. If a BCBA is overseeing 25 children, they may not have enough time to give your child focused attention. A caseload of 8-15 is generally considered more manageable for high-quality supervision.
• RBT Turnover: This is a high-burnout profession. Ask the agency about their staff retention rates. High turnover can be disruptive to your child's progress, as they have to constantly build rapport with new therapists.

Questions to Ask Potential Providers When interviewing providers in the Edina area, treat it like a job interview where you are the employer.

1. "How do you handle challenging behaviors?" Listen for answers that prioritize proactive strategies and reinforcement over punishment. If they mention "restraint" or "seclusion" as anything other than a last-resort emergency safety measure, that is a red flag.
2. "What is your approach to parent training?" Research shows that parent involvement is the biggest predictor of success. Good providers will want to meet with you regularly (bi-weekly or monthly) to teach you the strategies they are using.
3. "How do you coordinate with schools?" If your child attends Edina Public Schools, ask if the ABA provider is willing to collaborate with the child’s IEP team. While private therapists generally cannot work in the public school classroom due to district policies, they can attend IEP meetings to share data and ensure consistency.
4. "What are your wait times?" The Twin Cities currently faces a shortage of ABA providers relative to demand. You may encounter waitlists of 6 to 12 months. It is advisable to get on multiple waitlists immediately.

Cultural and Philosophical Fit Edina is a diverse community. Ensure the provider respects your family’s cultural norms. Furthermore, look for providers who practice "Compassionate ABA" or "Trauma-Informed ABA." The field has moved away from rigid compliance training (making a child look "normal") toward skill-building and self-advocacy. Choose a provider who respects your child’s bodily autonomy and emotional well-being above all else.

Getting Started with ABA Therapy

Taking the first steps toward therapy can feel like standing at the base of a mountain. To make the process manageable, it helps to view it as a linear series of administrative and clinical steps. Here is a practical guide to getting started with ABA in Edina.

Step 1: The Diagnostic Assessment Before you can access ABA, you need a medical diagnosis. This must come from a qualified professional, such as a psychologist or developmental pediatrician. In the Twin Cities, major centers for diagnosis include Fraser, the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. The waitlists for evaluations can be long, so ask your primary care pediatrician for a referral as soon as you suspect a delay. You need a report that specifically diagnoses Autism Spectrum Disorder (F84.0) and recommends ABA therapy.

Step 2: Contacting Providers and Insurance Verification Once you have the diagnostic report, start calling ABA agencies. Do not wait. Have your insurance card ready. The provider’s intake department will take your information and run a "benefits check" to confirm that your plan covers ABA and what your financial responsibility will be. This is also when you should apply for TEFRA if you haven't already, as the approval process through the state can take a few months.

Step 3: The Intake Meeting When you reach the top of a waitlist, you will have an intake meeting. This is usually a conversation with a clinical director or administrative lead to discuss your schedule availability, your primary concerns, and your child's history. Be honest about your schedule—if you can only do therapy in the afternoons after school, make that clear, though it may limit availability.

Step 4: The Initial Assessment Before therapy begins, a BCBA will conduct a comprehensive skills assessment. They will use tools like the VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program) or ABLLS-R (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills). They will observe your child playing, test their communication skills, and ask you dozens of questions. This process can take a few days.

Step 5: The Treatment Plan and Authorization Based on the assessment, the BCBA writes a Treatment Plan. This document outlines specific goals (e.g., "Child will request items using 2-word phrases," "Child will tolerate transitioning from play to work"). This plan is sent to your insurance company for authorization. Once the insurance gives the "green light," therapy can officially begin.

Step 6: The First Few Weeks The first few weeks of therapy are often called "pairing." The therapist will not place many demands on your child. Instead, they will play, offer treats, and make themselves the most fun person in the room. The goal is to build rapport so the child trusts the therapist. Do not be alarmed if it looks like they are "just playing" for the first two weeks—this relationship building is critical for future learning.

Local Resources & Support

Edina families are fortunate to be situated in a state with a robust network of non-profit and advocacy organizations dedicated to autism support. Leveraging these resources can provide education, legal advocacy, and community connection.

Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) Located nearby in St. Paul, AuSM is the premier advocacy organization in the state. They offer an incredible array of resources, including:

• Classes and Workshops: Training for parents on everything from "Introduction to Autism" to navigating puberty and sexuality.
• Summer Camps: AuSM camps are legendary in MN, providing safe, specialized summer experiences for autistic youth.
• Autism Conference: They host a massive annual conference that brings together experts, educators, and families.

PACER Center Located in Bloomington (practically bordering Edina), the PACER Center is a national powerhouse for children with disabilities. They are arguably the best resource for educational advocacy. If you are struggling with your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) at Edina Public Schools, PACER provides parent advocates who can help you understand your rights and attend meetings with you. They also have the Simon Technology Center, a lending library where you can try out assistive technology and communication devices before buying them.

Fraser Fraser is one of Minnesota’s largest and most established providers of autism services. While they are a provider of therapy, they also offer huge support in terms of housing, case management, and career planning for older teens and adults. They have multiple satellite locations throughout the Twin Cities metro.

Arc Minnesota Arc Minnesota focuses on human rights and participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are a great resource for future planning, housing access, and understanding government benefits like waivers and SSI.

Edina SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Within the Edina Public School district, look for the SEPAC. This is a group of parents with children in special education who advise the district on policy and provide support to one another. connecting with other local parents who understand the specific landscape of Edina schools is invaluable for emotional support and practical tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my child receive ABA therapy and attend school at the same time? Yes, and this is very common in Edina. Many children attend school for part of the day and receive ABA therapy before or after school. Some younger children (ages 2-5) may attend a clinic-based ABA program full-time or part-time instead of a traditional preschool. However, ABA providers generally cannot go into the public school classroom to provide 1:1 therapy due to district liability and union rules. Collaboration is key: your private BCBA and the school IEP team should communicate regularly to ensure consistency across environments.

2. How many hours of therapy will my child need? The number of hours is determined by "medical necessity" based on the assessment. "Comprehensive" ABA (usually for early intervention) typically ranges from 25 to 40 hours per week. "Focused" ABA (targeting specific behaviors or skills) might be 10 to 20 hours per week. While the time commitment can seem daunting, research suggests that higher intensity often yields better outcomes in early intervention. However, the schedule must be sustainable for your family.

3. Is there an age limit for ABA therapy in Minnesota? Under the EIDBI benefit and most insurance mandates, coverage extends until age 21 (and sometimes beyond, depending on the plan). However, ABA is most commonly associated with early intervention (ages 18 months to 6 years). As children get older, the focus of ABA often shifts from developmental milestones to functional living skills, social navigation, and job readiness. There are specific "Teen ABA" groups in the Twin Cities that focus on social hangouts and executive functioning.

4. What if I don’t like the therapist working with my child? You are the most important member of your child's team. If you feel a therapist is not a good personality match, or if you are uncomfortable with their approach, you have the right to request a change. A reputable agency will respect your concerns and work to rotate a new technician onto your team. Never hesitate to speak up; you are your child's best advocate.

5. Does the Edina school district pay for private ABA? Generally, no. The school district is responsible for providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). They provide special education services, which may include speech, occupational therapy, and behavioral support, but this is educational in nature, not medical. Private ABA is a medical therapy covered by health insurance. While the methodologies used in school (like PBIS) often overlap with ABA principles, they are legally and financially separate entities.