Yes, in some states, like Texas and Colorado, ABA therapy is treated as an excused absence from school, like a doctor’s appointment. State officials have recognized the fact that ABA therapy is a necessary and effective treatment for children with autism and other behavioral and developmental concerns. As a result, they’ve created laws that require public schools in their states excuse students to attend ABA therapy sessions during school hours.
Below are summaries of the laws in Texas and Colorado. Ask your child’s school about their policy to avoid any surprises and issues. If your state hasn’t yet made ABA therapy an excused absence, hopefully they will soon.
Texas Law
The Texas Education Code (TEC) §25.087(b)(2) states a student may be excused for a temporary absence to receive generally recognized services for persons with autism spectrum disorder, including ABA therapy. The only condition is the student must start or end their day at school.
Colorado Law
In Colorado, Senate Bill SB20-014 was passed in 2020, revising statutes regarding compulsory school attendance so they don’t apply to children with a physical disability or mental or behavioral health disorder. The bill also requires the state’s board of education to adopt a written policy that must provide for excused absences for temporary absences due to behavioral health concerns.
With these laws in place, you can rest easy knowing your child will be allowed to attend ABA therapy after they’ve started school. Excused absences are vitally important when ABA is medically needed and in cases when a child’s progress slows or regresses once they’ve entered school.
How ABA Therapy Benefits School-Aged Kids
Here at The Behavior Exchange, many of our clients split their time when school’s in session – mornings with their ABA therapy team at one of our hives (Plano, Frisco, Prosper, and Boulder) and afternoons in the classroom or vice versa. Working in partnership with schools and teachers, we make sure children get the best of both worlds.
Our Social Skills Group therapy is tailor made for school-aged kids. To be successful in school, children need to learn and practice social skills that will help them relate to their peers and develop friendships. We use fun group activities that provide learning opportunities to kids in a low-pressure environment that also builds their confidence.
All of our ABA therapy services, even Summer Camp, are highly individualized and focused on each child’s unique goals.
Struggling with the ARD/IEP Process?
We also advocate for children in meetings with their school on behalf of their parents or caregivers. Our goal is to ensure children are receiving the best education that’s aligned with their developmental goals and enables them to reach their full potential in the classroom as well as in life.
Whether you need help navigating any aspect of the school environment or deciding when it’s best for your child to start school for the first time, we have the experts and ABA therapy services that make the grade!
Contact us today, and get started on a brighter future.
The Behavior Exchange is proud to be a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence® with the highest accreditation possible for ABA therapy providers. To find an accredited provider in your area, go here.
