ABA Therapy in Maple Shade, NJ
If you are new to autism services, the process can feel like a maze of forms. Here is how a Maple Shade family goes from first phone call to first session.
To start ABA therapy in Maple Shade, NJ, call Innovative ABA at (732) 691-1299. We check your insurance for free, gather your child's autism diagnosis, complete a BCBA assessment and request authorization. Therapy then begins in your home or at our Cherry Hill center, about 3.9 miles away.
Clinically reviewed by Charles Knoppel, BCBA · Updated October 2026
At a glance
| Nearest center | 1939 NJ-70, Cherry Hill: about 3.9 miles from Maple Shade |
|---|---|
| First step | Free consultation + free insurance benefits check |
| Programs | In-home, full-day center-based, early intervention, parent training |
| Insurance | Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare & most major plans; free benefits check |
| Clinical lead | Charles Knoppel, BCBA |
What are the steps to start ABA in Maple Shade?
Most families move through the same five stages. Knowing them ahead of time makes the wait shorter and less stressful.
- 1. Free consultationa call with our team about your child, your concerns and your schedule
- 2. Benefits checkwe contact your insurer to confirm ABA coverage and any requirements, at no cost
- 3. Diagnosis on filea report confirming autism spectrum disorder, usually from a developmental pediatrician or psychologist
- 4. BCBA assessmentskills assessment, parent interview, observation and, if needed, a functional behavior assessment
- 5. Authorization & startwe submit the treatment plan to your insurer and schedule sessions once it is approved
Does insurance cover ABA for Maple Shade families?
Often, yes. New Jersey passed an autism insurance mandate in 2009 that requires many state-regulated health plans to cover medically necessary behavioral interventions such as ABA. If your coverage comes through a large employer that self-funds its plan, federal rules apply instead, and benefits depend on that plan's choices. That is why we always verify before anything else.
We accept most major plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare and UnitedHealthcare. Public programs such as NJ FamilyCare can also cover ABA for eligible children in general; ask us and we will explain what your specific coverage requires.
What if my child does not have a diagnosis yet?
Start the evaluation now, because insurers generally require a formal diagnosis to authorize ABA. Your pediatrician can refer you to a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist or neurologist. If your child is under 3, New Jersey's Early Intervention System can also evaluate development and provide services while you wait.
In the meantime, call us. We can complete the benefits check and intake paperwork so that once the report arrives, the BCBA assessment can be scheduled quickly. For the youngest children, our Early-Stage Support & Prevention program is a good place to begin reading.
Keep copies of every report and letter you receive along the way. Insurers, school teams and our BCBAs all ask for them, and having a single folder ready saves weeks of back-and-forth when it is time to authorize services.
What happens after authorization is approved?
Once your insurer approves the treatment plan, we schedule sessions and introduce the team. You will know who your supervising BCBA is, which RBTs will work with your child and when sessions happen, whether at home in Maple Shade, at the center or both.
Early sessions focus on rapport so your child links the therapists with fun and success. Teaching then begins on the plan's goals, mixing discrete trial training for focused practice with natural environment teaching during play and routines. Every session includes data collection, and your BCBA reviews it regularly.
Parent training starts early too, because the more you understand the strategies, the more practice your child gets between sessions. Authorizations are usually approved for a set period, so near the end of each one your BCBA reassesses, updates goals and submits a progress report requesting continued services. We handle that paperwork and keep you informed.
Where will therapy happen?
Maple Shade sits about 3.9 miles from our center, and Route 38 links the area toward Cherry Hill, so both settings are realistic. Full-Day Center-Based ABA takes place at 1939 NJ-70. In-Home ABA Therapy happens in your Maple Shade home, and many families use both.
Neighbors in Moorestown, Mount Laurel and the rest of Burlington County follow the same steps. Contact us to begin.
Not sure which to choose? Start with the setting your family can keep consistent. Regular attendance matters more early on than the perfect location, and the plan can change later.
ABA programs for Maple Shade
Full-Day Center-Based ABA
Structured, full-day programming at our Cherry Hill center, with school-readiness built in.
Learn more →ABA Therapy for Children
One-on-one, play-based ABA that builds communication, social and daily-living skills.
Learn more →In-Home ABA Therapy
Therapy in your home, where routines like meals, bedtime and play happen.
Learn more →Early Intervention ABA
Support for toddlers and preschoolers during the years skills grow fastest.
Learn more →School & Community-Based ABA
Help carrying skills into classrooms, playgrounds, stores and outings.
Learn more →Social Skills Development
Turn-taking, conversation, play and friendship skills, practiced with peers.
Learn more →Feeding Therapy (ABA)
Help with picky eating, food selectivity and mealtime behavior, coordinated with your child's doctors.
Learn more →More Burlington County communities we serve
Innovative ABA – Cherry Hill, NJ
Innovative ABA
1939 NJ-70
Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08003
(732) 691-1299
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
On Route 70 on the east side of Cherry Hill, near the Marlton line. Center-based care happens here; our in-home and community team travels across South Jersey and the Philadelphia area.
Charles Knoppel, BCBA
Clinical Director — Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Charles leads our clinical team and oversees every child’s treatment plan. He reviewed this page for clinical accuracy in October 2026. Meet our team →
Frequently asked questions
How long does insurance authorization for ABA take?
It varies by insurer and plan. Some approvals come back quickly, while others take longer or ask for more information. We submit the request, track it and follow up for you. We often have openings and can start quickly once approval arrives, so ask about current availability.
Is a free benefits check really free?
Yes. We contact your insurance company, confirm whether ABA is covered and explain what we learn, at no cost and with no obligation. You will know your coverage before deciding anything. If anything about the results is confusing, we walk through it with you on the phone.
Do I need a referral from my pediatrician?
Some plans require a prescription or referral for ABA, and others do not. We find out during the benefits check and tell you exactly what your plan needs, so you are not guessing. If a referral is required, we explain who can write it and what it should include.
What happens during the BCBA assessment?
The BCBA meets your child, interviews you and observes how your child communicates, plays and handles demands. When challenging behavior is a concern, a functional behavior assessment looks at why it happens. The results become the goals in your child's treatment plan. The assessment usually takes more than one visit, and you are part of it throughout.
How far is Maple Shade from your center?
Our center at 1939 NJ-70 in Cherry Hill is about 3.9 miles from Maple Shade. It is our only physical location. In-home ABA is available in Maple Shade for families who prefer to start at home. Some families split time between the two.
Can I start ABA while waiting for a school evaluation?
Yes. School evaluations through your district's Child Study Team and ABA through health insurance are separate processes. Starting one does not depend on the other, and once both are in place we can coordinate goals with the school if you wish. Many families find that early ABA data is useful to the school team as well.
What if my insurance denies ABA coverage?
A denial is not always the final word. Sometimes the insurer needs more documentation, a corrected referral or a clearer diagnosis report. We review the stated reason with you, fix what we can on our side and explain options such as an appeal or other coverage your family may have, all before any services begin.
Start with one phone call
We will check your benefits for free and walk you through each step. Call (732) 691-1299.