New year. New hope.

New year. New hope.

The beginning of the year brings many changes for families. New insurance plans kick in, new therapy schedules begin, and for many families, this is the moment they finally move forward with ABA therapy, sometimes for the very first time. Other families are still searching, calling providers, and trying to figure out what ABA therapy actually looks like for their child.

If you’re a parent in Plano, Frisco, or Prosper, you’re not alone. Every January, we hear the same questions, concerns, and “where do I even start?” moments. So let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.

Below is a parent-friendly, no-jargon guide to what you should know about ABA therapy as we start 2026.

What is ABA therapy, really?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy commonly used to support children with autism. At its core, it’s a data-driven approach in which interventions based on the principles of learning and motivation are used to significantly improve behaviors. ABA therapy focuses on teaching meaningful skills and reducing behaviors that interfere with learning or daily life.

Skills such as:

  • Communication and language skills
  • Social interaction and play
  • Daily living skills like dressing or toileting
  • Reducing behaviors such as aggression, elopement, or self-injury

ABA is not one-size-fits-all. A quality ABA program is individualized, flexible, and designed around your child’s needs, strengths, and interests.

What makes The Behavior Exchange different is how we provide therapy. You won’t find gray, sterile surroundings here. Our learning centers (we call them “hives”) are a feast for the senses. We use a fun, interactive curriculum you won’t find anywhere else. Our driving focus is always on growing the individual potential within each child. As we say, what could be, can be!

How do I know if ABA therapy is right for my child?

ABA therapy is often recommended for children with an autism diagnosis, especially when parents notice challenges with communication, behavior, or daily routines. If your child struggles to express needs, has frequent meltdowns, or finds it hard to engage socially, ABA therapy may help.

The early bird gets the worm.

Numerous studies confirm that starting Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy early, ideally between ages 2 and 4, is highly effective, leveraging the brain’s neuroplasticity for significant improvements in communication, cognitive skills, social interaction, and adaptive behaviors, leading to better long-term outcomes and greater independence for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early, intensive intervention builds foundational skills during a critical developmental window, though older children and adults also benefit from it.

If you’re unsure, an ABA assessment, most often done by a developmental pediatrician can help clarify whether services are appropriate and what level of support might be helpful. For a list of developmental pediatricians in the North Texas area, please email us directly: [email protected]

Does insurance cover ABA therapy in Texas?

Yes, Texas insurance plans often cover ABA therapy, but coverage depends on your specific plan. Since many families switch insurance at the start of the year, it’s important to:

  • Confirm that ABA therapy is a covered benefit
  • Check if prior authorization is required
  • Understand deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums

Families in North Texas are often surprised to learn that ABA therapy coverage can resets in January, which can impact scheduling and costs.

Your Insurance Advocate.

At The Behavior Exchange, we are experts in understanding the insurance process. We can help your family maximize their benefits and successfully navigate qualifications for coverage. We’re here to help. Connect with us.

How long does it take to start ABA therapy?

How long does it take to start ABA therapy?

This can varies. Some families begin within weeks, while others wait longer due to:

  • Insurance authorization timelines
  • Availability of therapy staff
  • Completing assessments and paperwork

If you’re looking for ABA therapy in Plano, Frisco, or Prosper, starting early in the year can be helpful. Demand for services is often high as more families seek support, and waitlists can fill up quickly. Contact us today. Our hives currently have no waitlists, so your child can start therapy as soon as possible.

How many hours of ABA therapy does my child need?

There’s no universal answer. Some children benefit from a few hours per week, while others may need more intensive services. Recommendations are based on our expert BCBA’s assessment, which considers several factors, including:

  • Your child’s age
  • Skill level and needs
  • Goals identified during the assessment

More hours doesn’t always mean better. Expert quality, consistency, and collaboration matter just as much.

What should I look for in an ABA provider?

When choosing an ABA therapy provider in the North Texas, DFW area, look for:

  • Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who supervise programs
  • A focus on positive, respectful therapy
  • Clear communication with parents
  • Individualized treatment plans
  • Experience working with children across different ages and skill levels

Most importantly, trust your gut. You should feel heard, supported, and confident in your child’s care. We also encourage you to ask for a tour of the facility so you can experience the space where your child will be learning. To schedule a tour of our Plano, Frisco, and Prosper hives, email us.

What if my child is just starting ABA therapy for the first time?

Starting ABA therapy can feel overwhelming. That’s normal. The first few weeks are about building trust, learning routines, and getting to know your child’s team, including RBTs and BCBAs. Progress takes time, and small wins matter.

Ask questions. Stay involved. And remember, you are your child’s best advocate.

Final thoughts for the new year

A new year often brings hope, questions, and big decisions. Whether you’re starting ABA therapy, switching providers, or still exploring options, know that support is available. Many families across Plano, Frisco, and Prosper are walking this same path as you.

At The Behavior Exchange, we believe ABA therapy should feel caring, expert, and yes, even fun. Growth happens best when kids feel safe, supported, and celebrated.

Here’s to a year of progress, learning, and a lot of high-fives along the way.

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Ashvina attended University of Bombay and graduated with a Bachelors of Commerce. She got her Montessori Diploma in 1985 and taught ever since. Ashvina came to TBE in January of 2016 as Admin Assistant. During the years she got the opportunity to learn and work in different departments such as HR, Finance, Office Manager and Executive Assistant. Last summer TBE bought billing in house and her current focus area is Revenue Cycle Management. She is detail oriented and enjoys working with people. Ashvina volunteers to deliver meals to seniors and local shelters on the weekend. She loves to spend time with her family and grandkids. Ashvina loves her job because she enjoys hearing different points of view, and she feels her contributions help fuel the direction of our company.

Working with children comes naturally to Angela. Her mom was a special education teacher for 30 years and often had Angela join her for Take Your Child to Work Day. And in high school, Angela spent every summer as the nanny for a little boy with an autism spectrum disorder. It was this experience where her passion for working with children with autism started to blossom.

From there, she went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. She learned about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a non-normative development class and from that moment knew that ABA would be her life’s work.

Angela moved to the DFW area shortly after and began working at The Behavior Exchange as a therapist. She worked on her Master’s in Behavior Analysis at the same time. A year after graduating, she earned certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Now, as a Clinical Director at The Behavior Exchange, she brings a life-long passion to her work, holding a special place in her heart for children with limited language skills and working closely with families to develop healthy sleep habits.

Danielle’s passion for working with families is deeply personal and from the heart. Her younger brother has an autism spectrum disorder, and through their journey as a family, she found her purpose in life as an advocate for individuals with special needs.

After graduating from the University of North Texas with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Danielle began volunteering at The Behavior Exchange. She saw passionate therapists, meaningful change for clients, and families with hope for the future. After a summer of volunteering, she officially joined the team as Director of Admissions and found her home with The Behavior Exchange family.

With her extensive experience working as a client advocate with insurance providers, Danielle perseveres to help individuals of all ages and abilities receive the services they need to reach their full potential. She feels truly honored by each and every family who entrusts The Behavior Exchange to be part of their journey and is committed to the organization’s core values, mission, and goal of being a beacon of hope for the community.

Adam has always had a passion for helping individuals of all ages thrive and reach their full potential. He’s also an enthusiastic musician, songwriter, leader, and devoted family man, who has been helping children and team members grow with The Behavior Exchange since 2010.

Prior to joining the team at The Behavior Exchange, Adam was a mortgage loan consultant and grad student, pursuing his master’s degree in Education at the University of North Texas. He graduated in 2013 and also earned a graduate academic certificate in Autism Intervention. The following year, after years as a Behavior Therapist and seeing first-hand the power of ABA and the meaningful impact it can have on children and their families, Adam became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He then commenced from the Stagen Leadership Academy after completing the Integral Leadership Program (ILP), a 52-week practice-based program designed to develop executives serious about transforming themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

Adam is truly grateful to be a part of a dynamic, inspiring and compassionate team, and he’s dedicated to bettering the lives of all children and their families through the delivery of the highest quality of ABA services, while supporting the amazing team at The Behavior Exchange.

Soraya is from South Africa and moved to Texas in 1996. She graduated from The University of Texas and pursued a career, at that time, in Education. Soraya taught at a Montessori school for a few years and then took on a leadership role.

During her time in the education system, Soraya realized her passion was to assist children with special needs. So she joined The Behavior Exchange as a therapist, transitioned into a supervisory role in 2017, and a year and a half later, was promoted to Clinical Operations Manager.

She quickly learned the ins and outs of ABA operations and scheduling and successfully collaborates across departments to ensure The Behavior Exchange continues to provide quality services to clients and their families. She’s thankful to be part of such an amazing organization and excited to see what the future holds.

You could say Walter’s career started when he spent hours as a young child drawing superheroes and coloring maps. This passion, along with extraordinary swimming skills, landed him a full swimming scholarship at Texas Christian University, where he graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Graphics.

During the next 13 years, his design and art direction skills, conceptual-thinking abilities, and marketing-savvy know-how were honed at a few prestigious advertising and marketing agencies around the Dallas area. In the mid 2000s, he helped his wife Tammy Cline-Soza (founder and CEO of The Behavior Exchange) create a unique and concise brand for her new business. From logos and websites to uniforms, brand voice and visuals, Walter has been the main creative force for all things The Behavior Exchange.

Aside from giving birth to The Behavior Exchange brand, Walter is helping Tammy raise two amazing, beautiful children, River and Sierra. In his spare time (the two minutes he’s got per week), you can find Walter illustrating iconic landmarks of Dallas and Texas or looking around for this next open-water swim. Once he gets back in shape.

After 20 years of building The Behavior Exchange, literally from the ground up,
Tammy couldn’t be more proud of the team, culture, and organization that it has become.

As a family helping families, The Behavior Exchanges looks for opportunities that will make the biggest impact and produce life-changing outcomes – for clients, families, and even for team members. Tammy believes that if a team, a family, a community takes care of each other, the possibilities are endless and the relationships built along the way can make life more enriching and challenges easier to navigate. You could say her goal has been to build a kind of utopia full of support, love, and expertise that brings the best services possible to the community and ensures more families have access to those services.

Tammy and her family have dedicated their lives to the mission of The Behavior Exchange and continue to grow, learn, cultivate, challenge, support, and create better models for success. To that end, she is committed to her own leadership development and actively participates in advanced training, mentoring, and deep self-exploration on how to live out her purpose to love and support her family and help others reach their full potential. She takes her position very seriously and tries to serve as a channel for what the universe wants to come to fruition.

She also loves travel, gardening, being creative, MUSIC!, tennis, yoga, meditation, journaling, reading, being in nature, adventures, and more than anything, spending time with her husband Walter and their two beautiful children, River and Sierra.