Early Intervention and ABA in Utah
How to get free or low-cost early intervention in Utah before age 3, and how ABA fits in.
Start with Part C, not insurance
If your child is under 3 and you're worried about development, Utah's Part C early intervention program is the fastest door. You don't need an autism diagnosis to ask for an evaluation. The federal government requires every state to run this program, so it exists in Utah and everywhere else.
Part C and insurance-funded ABA are separate systems. You can use them in sequence or at the same time. Many families start with Part C for immediate help, then layer in ABA through insurance once a diagnosis is in place.
How to request an evaluation
Call or write to your local Part C program and say, in writing, 'I'd like to request an early intervention evaluation for my child.' Put it in writing even if you call first. Keep a copy. The program has a legal timeline to respond, usually within 45 days.
You don't need a referral from a doctor. You can self-refer. The evaluation is free and looks at five areas: cognitive, physical, communication, social or emotional, and adaptive skills. If your child qualifies, you'll get an IFSP.
What an IFSP is and how services work
An IFSP, or Individualized Family Service Plan, is the Part C version of an IEP. It lists your child's goals and the services they'll get, like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or developmental therapy. It also names who provides those services and where.
Services happen in your home or in community settings like a daycare or park. They're designed to fit your family's routine, not the other way around. You're part of the team, and you'll review the plan every six months.
Cost: free or sliding scale
Part C is free for evaluation and service coordination. For ongoing services, Utah uses a sliding scale based on family income. Some families pay nothing; others pay a modest fee. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
Ask your service coordinator about the fee schedule before you start. You can also ask about waivers or hardship exemptions if the fee feels too high.
Transition to school services at age 3
At age 3, Part C ends and your child may move to school district services through an IEP. This is a different system with different rules. The transition starts at least 90 days before your child's third birthday.
Your Part C team will help you plan the move. You'll meet with the school district to decide if your child qualifies for preschool special education. If they do, services move to the school. If they don't, you'll need to rely on insurance or private pay for continued support.
ABA in Utah: what insurance covers
Utah has an autism insurance mandate, but it only applies to fully insured plans. If your employer has a self-funded plan, the state mandate doesn't bind it, though many self-funded plans cover ABA anyway. Check your plan document or call the number on your member card.
Ask your insurer this exact question: 'Does my plan cover applied behavior analysis for autism, and what are the limits?' Limits vary by plan, so don't rely on a friend's experience. Get your own plan's details in writing.
If your child is on Medicaid, coverage is different. Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA for children under 21 through EPSDT. Your Medicaid plan's name is on your member card, and you can call them to ask about ABA coverage.
Finding ABA providers in Utah
We list ABA agencies across the state, with the largest concentrations in Salt Lake County, Utah County, and Davis County. Even if you're in a smaller county, there are options.
When you call an agency, ask about their waitlist, the BCBA's experience with children under 3, and whether they offer in-home sessions. Part C and ABA can run at the same time, so you don't have to choose one over the other.
Utah listings right now
194 ABA agencies across 14 Utah counties.