California

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA therapy, is a research-backed approach that helps people with autism and other behavioral conditions build skills that can make everyday life easier and support greater independence. At CSD, ABA starts with understanding each learner: what they need, how they learn, and what they love. Depending on their goals, that might include building communication, social, daily living, or independence skills in ways that feel supportive, engaging, and motivating.

CSD offers personalized ABA therapy and autism services for individuals and families across California, with care available at home, in our centers, at school, and virtually. We also offer autism diagnostic evaluations, social skills programs, caregiver training and coaching, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Our team can help you find the right combination of services for your learner based on their clinical needs and what’s available in your area.

What you need to start ABA therapy can vary based on your insurance plan. In many cases, you’ll need an autism diagnosis and a referral for ABA therapy from a doctor. You don’t need to figure that out on your own. Our team can verify your benefits, help you understand what your plan requires, and walk you through what’s needed to move forward.

We can help. CSD can arrange autism diagnostic evaluations in California to help families move from questions about their child’s development to greater clarity. Our team can explain the evaluation process, answer your questions, and help you understand the right next steps for your child and family.

Yes. While many of the learners we support have autism, CSD also works with individuals with ADHD and other behavioral conditions. Our team will take the time to understand what you’re looking for and help determine whether ABA therapy and CSD are the right fit for your learner.

CSD supports learners across a wide range of ages, including adults in some California communities. The right services and approach will depend on each learner’s age, needs, and goals, with some programs varying by location. It’s never too late to explore the impact ABA therapy could have for you or someone you love.

Yes. We know challenging behaviors can create real struggles for children and families. Our clinicians work to understand what may be behind a behavior, then build personalized strategies into your child’s care to support new skills and make everyday moments easier to navigate. We support caregivers, too, with practical guidance and tools like the Starship Caregiver App™, which can help you track behaviors outside of sessions and share what you’re seeing with your child’s care team. Together, you can spot patterns, follow progress, and adjust strategies as your child’s needs evolve.

CSD works with most major health plans in California. At this time, we are in-network with the following plans: Aetna, Beacon Health, Cigna, Central California Alliance for Health, Community Health Group, ComPsych, Contra Costa Health Plan, Easter Seals Southern California, Elevance, HealthNet, Health Plan of San Mateo, Inland Empire Health Plan, L.A. Care, Medi-Cal, Magellan Health, Moda, Molina, Optum, Partnership Health Plan, San Andres Regional Center, Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP), TriWest, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), and Valley Health Plan.

Because ABA benefits can vary by plan, our team can verify your benefits and help you understand what your plan covers. Don’t see your insurance listed? Plans and coverage can change, so reach out and we’ll be happy to check your current benefits at no cost.

CSD is actively enrolling new families in California, with no waitlist. How quickly your child can begin care depends on factors like their individual needs, insurance authorization, and the services that are right for them. Reach out to our team and we can walk you through the process and give you a clearer idea of what timing could look like for your family.

CSD serves families in communities across California, including the Bay Area, greater Los Angeles, Sacramento, and other parts of the state. With multiple ABA therapy centers, extensive in-home services, and virtual care available statewide, there are more ways to access CSD care close to home. Explore our California locations above, or get in touch and we’ll help you find the services available in your area.