Early Intervention and ABA in Delaware
Part C is the fastest door for Delaware kids under 3. Here's how to use it, and how ABA fits in.
Start with Part C, not insurance
If your child is under 3 and you're worried about development, Delaware's Part C early intervention program is the fastest first step. You don't need an autism diagnosis to ask for an evaluation. Federal law requires every state to offer this, and Delaware runs its own program.
Part C and insurance-funded ABA are separate systems. You can use them in sequence or at the same time. Part C gets you in the door quickly, while you sort out insurance for ABA. Many families do both.
How to request an evaluation
Call or write to Delaware's Part C program and say you want an evaluation for your child. You can do this without a doctor's referral, though a referral helps. Put your request in writing, keep a copy, and note the date. This starts a timeline: the state must respond and complete the evaluation within a set number of days, typically 45 days from referral.
The evaluation looks at your child's development in areas like communication, motor skills, and social-emotional growth. It's free. If your child qualifies, you'll get an IFSP.
What an IFSP is
IFSP stands for Individualized Family Service Plan. It's the Part C version of an IEP, but it's broader. It lists your child's developmental needs, the services they'll get, and the goals you'll work on together.
You're part of the team that writes it. The plan is reviewed every six months and updated at least once a year. It's a living document, not a one-time form.
Where services happen
Part C services happen where your child already is: your home, a daycare, a park, or another community spot. The idea is to fit therapy into daily routines, not to make you drive to a clinic.
A typical session might be a developmental specialist coming to your living room and showing you how to turn play into learning. You learn the strategies, not just your child. This is different from ABA, which is often clinic-based and more structured.
Cost: free or sliding scale
Part C is free for the evaluation. For ongoing services, Delaware uses a sliding scale based on your income. Many families pay nothing. Some states charge a fee, but Delaware's program is designed to be affordable, and no family is turned away for inability to pay.
Your insurance is not billed for Part C. It's funded by state and federal money. So using Part C doesn't touch your ABA benefits.
The transition at age 3
Part C ends on your child's third birthday. Around age 2 and a half, the program will start planning the transition. Your family will meet with your local school district to talk about what happens next.
At age 3, your child may be eligible for special education services through the school district, under IDEA. That's a different system, with an IEP instead of an IFSP. The school district does its own evaluation. If your child qualifies, services can include speech, occupational therapy, and sometimes ABA, depending on the district.
The transition is not automatic. You have to attend the meetings and give consent. Start early, and ask your Part C coordinator for help.
How ABA fits in
ABA is a separate, intensive therapy for autism. It's often covered by insurance, but not always. Delaware has an autism insurance mandate, which means state-regulated plans must cover ABA. But that mandate only applies to fully insured plans. If your employer's plan is self-funded, it's exempt under federal law, though many self-funded plans still cover ABA.
Ask your insurer these exact questions: 'Is my plan fully insured or self-funded?' and 'Does my plan cover ABA for autism?' The answer tells you if the state mandate applies. Your plan name is on your member card.
Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA for children under 21 through EPSDT. If your child is on Medicaid, that's a route to explore. Your managed care plan will have its own rules, so call the number on the card.
In Delaware, the listings for this state are available in the directory on this site. You can find them by county, and your county's page will show what's near you.
Delaware listings right now
49 ABA agencies across 3 Delaware counties.