In-Home ABA Therapy in Charlotte, NC
Kennedy ABA brings gold-standard in-home aba therapy to autistic children and their families in Charlotte. Our BCBAs and therapists come to you, so your child learns where they’re most comfortable, with:
- In-home aba therapy built on research-backed techniques proven to build communication and independence
- Flexible options for school or community support when your child needs it
- Family-centered support that makes you part of the progress
Proudly providing in-home ABA therapy to families in Ballantyne, Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa, Steele Creek, University City and nearby Pineville.
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Personalized ABA Therapy for Charlotte Families
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children with autism build communication, social, and daily living skills.
At Kennedy ABA, every program starts with your child. A BCBA assesses your child’s strengths and needs, then builds a plan around your family’s goals and routines. Clinical care across North Carolina is overseen by a doctoral-level behavior analyst (BCBA-D), and your child works with a consistent RBT, so progress builds session to session.
Therapy happens where your child’s day happens. We provide in-home ABA therapy in Charlotte, school-based support that coordinates with your child’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools team and IEP goals, and parent training so you can keep progress going between sessions. Sessions are scheduled around your family’s routine, whether that means after school, after work, or on weekends.
ABA Therapy in Charlotte, NC: What to Expect
Kennedy ABA provides in-home ABA therapy in Charlotte, North Carolina for children with autism from 18 months through the teen years. Sessions take place in your home, your child’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg school, or the community — Kennedy ABA does not operate a Charlotte clinic, so there is no commute. Most Charlotte families begin therapy within 2 to 4 weeks of their first call.
Clinical care for Charlotte families is overseen by Victoria Castillo, PhD, BCBA-D, a doctoral-level behavior analyst who has supervised ABA therapy in home, school, clinic, and community settings since 2015.
18 months through 18 years, with or without a completed autism diagnosis
Where therapy happens
Your home, your child’s CMS school, or community settings across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
2 to 4 weeks from first call, including insurance verification and BCBA assessment
Typical weekly hours
10 to 15 hours per week for many children; your BCBA recommends hours based on assessment results
In-home ABA, school-based ABA, parent training, autism assessment, early intervention, functional behavior assessment
Victoria Castillo, PhD, BCBA-D — doctoral-level behavior analyst overseeing Kennedy ABA’s North Carolina clinical care, including Charlotte
Healthy Blue, WellCare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, AmeriHealth Caritas, Carolina Complete Health
BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Anthem, Humana, Optum, Tricare
Typical cost to families
North Carolina Senate Bill 676 requires private plans to cover ABA up to $40,000 per year for children under 19. NC Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA through age 20 with no annual dollar cap. Most Charlotte families pay little to nothing out of pocket.
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Why Charlotte Families Choose Kennedy ABA
Built Around Your Charlotte Schedule
Charlotte families juggle a lot — Uptown commutes, I-77 and I-485 traffic, and coordinating with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. We work around that reality with early morning, evening, and weekend sessions, and your BCBA can coordinate directly with your child’s CMS school team to align therapy goals with their IEP. Whether you’re commuting from Ballantyne to Uptown, managing pickup at a school near University City, or driving in from Huntersville along I-77, Concord, or Kannapolis near I-85, Kennedy ABA fits therapy into your actual day — not the other way around.
ABA Services We Offer In Charlotte
How it works
How Kennedy ABA Works in Charlotte
Reach Out
Assessment
Personalized Plan
Therapy Begins
Progress Tracking
Meet the Team Behind Your Child's Care in Charlotte
Every Charlotte family works with a team of credentialed professionals, from the BCBA who designs your child's program to the RBT who works with them each session. Our North Carolina leadership team oversees care across the state, including right here in Charlotte.
Victoria holds a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis and has been walking alongside individuals with autism and their families since 2015, board certified since 2018. Over the past decade she’s provided and supervised ABA therapy across home, school, clinic, and community settings, always staying close to the research so families get the best care possible. At heart, she’s driven by a simple belief: every family deserves care that’s both rigorous and genuinely kind.
With a decade of experience as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Sarah brings both deep clinical know-how and a warm, collaborative spirit to her role as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She believes the best ABA care is built on trust and real partnership with families, never a one-size-fits-all approach. Her focus is making sure every child and caregiver feels genuinely seen, supported, and heard.
Tanejah is a Registered Behavior Technician with over four years spent building trusting relationships with children and families across clinic and in-home settings. She loves mentoring fellow RBTs and works hand-in-hand with BCBAs so every family feels supported every step of the way. Above all, she’s passionate about meeting each child right where they are and celebrating every bit of progress along the way.
What ABA Therapy Helps Charlotte Kids Learn
Communication Skills
Whether your child is nonverbal or struggling with language, ABA helps them express needs, ask questions, and connect with others.
Daily Living Skills
Getting dressed, brushing teeth, following routines—these skills build independence and make life easier for your whole family.
Social Interaction
Making friends, sharing, taking turns, reading social cues—ABA teaches the building blocks of meaningful relationships.
Emotional Regulation
When meltdowns happen, ABA gives your child tools to manage big feelings and respond to frustration in healthier ways.
Behavior Reduction
ABA doesn’t just stop challenging behaviors—it teaches replacement skills so your child can communicate what they need without aggression or self-injury.
School Readiness
Following instructions, sitting for tasks, transitioning between activities—these skills prepare your child for success in Charlotte schools.
Our Charlotte Promise
We know choosing an ABA provider is a big decision. You’ve probably heard promises before that didn’t match reality. Here’s what you can actually count on from Kennedy ABA in Charlotte:
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Your Therapist Shows Up Consistently
We assign dedicated RBTs to your family and keep them there. Your child builds real trust with their therapist. When cancellations happen (rarely), we reschedule immediately—not weeks later. -
We Handle Insurance Completely
You won't chase authorizations or decipher claims. We verify coverage, submit paperwork, get approvals, and manage renewals. Insurance headaches are ours, not yours. -
You'll Know What's Happening
No therapy behind closed doors while you wonder about progress. We share data, explain strategies, and keep you informed every step. You're part of the team, not just an observer. -
Progress Stalls? We Change Course.
If your child isn't progressing after a reasonable time, we adjust the plan. We troubleshoot, modify strategies, and try new approaches. We don't keep doing what isn't working.
This is what gold-standard means to us—not just proven techniques, but real accountability to Charlotte families.
ABA therapy insurance coverage in Charlotte, North Carolina
How Charlotte families access ABA therapy
Most Charlotte families pay little to nothing out of pocket for ABA therapy. North Carolina’s Senate Bill 676 requires insurance to cover autism services, and Kennedy ABA handles all the paperwork so you can focus on your child.
Senate Bill 676 coverage in Charlotte
If you have health insurance in Charlotte—whether through your employer, the Marketplace, or a private plan—ABA therapy is covered up to $40,000 per year for children under age 19. This includes diagnosis, therapy sessions, and parent training.
North Carolina Medicaid in Mecklenburg County
Charlotte families with North Carolina Medicaid have access to ABA therapy with no annual dollar cap. Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA services through NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans.
Your local Medicaid office:
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
301 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: (704) 336-3000
Common NC Medicaid Health Plans in Charlotte:
Common insurance plans Kennedy accepts in Charlotte:
How Kennedy ABA handles your insurance for ABA Therapy
We verify your benefits before your child’s first session. We submit prior authorizations, handle all paperwork with your insurance company, and let you know upfront what’s covered. Most Charlotte families start therapy within 2-4 weeks of their first call.
Our testimonials
What Charlotte Parents Are Saying
"After months of waiting lists with other providers, Kennedy ABA got us started within weeks. Our son is communicating more, melting down less, and actually enjoying learning. The therapists feel like part of our family now."
"I was overwhelmed by the insurance process, but Kennedy handled everything. They verified coverage, got authorization, and kept me updated every step. I didn't have to chase anyone down or figure it out alone."
"Kennedy ABA works with us in our home and coordinates with our daughter's school. She's using the same strategies everywhere, and we're finally seeing real consistency. Her teachers have noticed such a difference."
Frequently Asked Questions About ABA in Charlotte
How do I know if my child needs ABA therapy?
How do I get an autism diagnosis in Charlotte?
Start by talking with your pediatrician, who can refer you for an evaluation. In Charlotte, options include UNC TEACCH Charlotte Center and Child & Family Development, though wait times can be long. Kennedy ABA also offers autism assessments to help families get answers and move toward care sooner.
Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Charlotte?
Yes, in most cases. North Carolina law requires many private health plans to cover ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis, and most major insurers include it. Coverage depends on your specific plan, so Kennedy ABA verifies your benefits upfront and handles the approval process, from authorization to ongoing claims. Have Medicaid? See the next question.
Does NC Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. North Carolina Medicaid covers medically necessary ABA therapy for children and young adults under 21 who have an autism diagnosis. There’s no annual dollar cap, and most families pay nothing out of pocket.
Coverage runs through your Medicaid health plan, such as Healthy Blue, WellCare, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, AmeriHealth Caritas, or Carolina Complete Health. Your plan will require prior authorization before therapy begins, and Kennedy ABA handles that process for you.
Not sure which plan you have? Check your Medicaid card or call us at 888-360-6664, and we’ll verify your coverage.
How long does ABA therapy take to show results?
Every child progresses at their own pace, but many Charlotte families see positive changes within the first few weeks—better eye contact, following instructions, reduced meltdowns. More significant milestones like improved communication and independence typically develop over months. We track progress closely and adjust strategies to maintain momentum.
Will I be involved in my child's therapy?
Absolutely. ABA works best when families and therapists work together. We’ll set goals that matter to you, discuss progress, and celebrate wins as a team. You can participate in sessions as much as you want, and we provide parent training so you can support your child’s progress throughout the day.
Where does ABA therapy take place in Charlotte?
Kennedy ABA provides therapy in your home, at your child’s school, and in community settings across Charlotte. We don’t run a clinic in Charlotte, so there’s no commute. Our team comes to you, from Ballantyne to University City and everywhere in between.
How many hours of therapy will my child need?
It depends on your child’s individual needs and goals. Some children thrive with 10-15 hours per week, others benefit from more intensive support. Your BCBA will recommend hours based on assessment results, and insurance typically determines final authorization.
What if my child doesn't respond well to therapy?
Our BCBAs are trained to adjust strategies based on what works for each child. If something isn’t clicking, we troubleshoot and modify the approach. Progress looks different for every child, and we’re committed to finding what works for yours.
What ages does Kennedy ABA work with?
We work with children from early intervention age (as young as 18 months) through the teenage years. Early intervention tends to produce the strongest outcomes, but it’s never too late to start — we’ve seen meaningful progress in children who began therapy at 10, 12, or older. Your child’s BCBA will tailor the treatment plan to their specific age and developmental stage, whether that means play-based learning for toddlers or school-readiness and social skills for older kids.
How soon can we start therapy in Charlotte?
Most Charlotte families start therapy within 2-4 weeks of their first call. That timeline covers insurance verification, your initial assessment with a BCBA, and building your personalized treatment plan. We move as quickly as possible because we know waiting is hard when your child needs support now — reach out today and we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect.
Charlotte Neighborhoods We Serve
No matter which part of Charlotte you call home, Kennedy ABA is there. Families in Ballantyne, University City, and Steele Creek work with the same dedicated RBT every session, and we bring that same consistency to families in Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa, and every neighborhood in between.
Don’t see your neighborhood listed? We likely still serve your area — reach out and we’ll confirm coverage right away.
Nearby Cities We Serve
ABA Therapy Throughout Greater Charlotte Kennedy ABA proudly extends care beyond Charlotte to families throughout the surrounding area:
Our Charlotte Office
Kennedy ABA serves families across Charlotte and the surrounding area, providing ABA therapy directly in your home, your child’s school, or your community.
- 100 S Tryon St, Suite 600, Charlotte, NC 28284
- 888-360-6664
ABA therapy sessions are delivered in your home, your child’s school, or your local community — not at this address.
lives through
Charlotte: Where Your Family Finds Support
Having a child with autism is challenging no matter where you live. The good news? Charlotte has a solid network of resources beyond ABA therapy, from diagnosis centers to parent groups where you can actually talk to people who get it.
UNC TEACCH Charlotte Center has been doing autism evaluations for decades. They’re thorough. Child & Family Development is another trusted option. You’ll need a pediatrician referral for both, and yes, there’s usually a wait.
Autism Charlotte was started by parents who needed support and couldn’t find it. They run meetups and resource fairs where you can talk to people who get it.
The Autism Society of NC runs Charlotte support groups. Check their calendar for meeting times.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Exceptional Children program: 980-343-6960 or ec@cms.k12.nc.us.
At Kennedy ABA, we build on what Charlotte already offers. Our ABA therapists in Charlotte come to your home and work with your child’s school so support happens everywhere it matters.
Let’s Do This
Reach out to Kennedy ABA today to learn how our ABA therapy can help your Charlotte family build the communication, confidence, and connection that’s within reach.
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