The first thirty days of an Illinois program from the first phone call onward

The first month of ABA is mostly setup. Calls, paperwork, an assessment, an approval, and finally a technician at your door. Families who know what's coming tend to feel a lot less lost. Here's what the first thirty days usually look like in Illinois, from the first phone call onward.

Days 1 to 3: the first phone call

You call a provider and talk to an intake coordinator. Expect questions about your child's age, diagnosis, insurance and schedule. Have your insurance card and diagnosis report nearby.

Ask your own questions too:

• How long is the wait for an assessment?

• Do you offer in-home sessions in our area?

• What do you need from us to get started?

Days 3 to 10: paperwork

You'll get intake forms, consent forms and a request for records. The most important record is the diagnosis report. It helps to understand how autism is diagnosed: a clinician combines your account of your child's development with direct observation, and no single test decides it. That's why insurers and providers want the full written report, rather than a note with a diagnosis code.

If your child has Illinois Medicaid, the plan may also need a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and a physician's order. Ask the provider what your plan requires.

Send everything back quickly. Missing paperwork is the most common reason the first month stretches into two. Scan each form before you send it, so you're never hunting for a copy when the provider calls back with a question.

Days 7 to 14: insurance verification

The provider checks your benefits. They'll find out whether ABA is covered, whether prior authorization is needed, and what your costs will be.

Ask them to tell you what they found. You should know your deductible and copay before sessions start, not after the first bill.

Days 10 to 20: the assessment

A supervising clinician, usually a BCBA, meets your child. They'll observe, play, ask you questions and often use structured assessment tools. This might take more than one visit.

Be honest about the hard parts of your day. If mornings are chaos or bath time ends in tears, say so. The plan is built from what you tell them.

Days 15 to 25: the treatment plan and authorization

The clinician writes a treatment plan with goals and recommended hours. Ask to see it before it's submitted. If the goals don't match what matters most to your family, say so now.

The provider then sends the plan to your insurer for approval. This can take days or weeks, depending on the plan.

Days 20 to 30: the first sessions

Once approved, sessions start. The first few are usually about building rapport. The technician plays with your child, learns what they like, and pairs themselves with fun before asking for anything.

It might not look like "therapy" yet. That's on purpose. A child who trusts the technician learns faster later, so those early play-heavy sessions are time well spent.

What slows things down

Missing documents. A plan that needs more information. A waitlist for the assessment. A technician who isn't available in your area yet.

Most of these aren't anyone's fault. Asking for updates every week or so keeps things moving.

What you can do this month

Keep one folder with everything. Write down every call. Start noticing your child's hardest moments and favorite things, since the clinician will ask about both.

For more on what in-home programs in Illinois look like once they're up and running, there's helpful detail on All Around ABA's site.

Make the first call this week. Day one starts there.

All Around Aba provides Bcba-led, in-home Aba therapy for children with autism and developmental disorders in Chicago, IL and Denver, CO. Goal-oriented programs offer proven methods, flexible scheduling, family training, and care coordination.