The ABA assessment in Essex County, step by step

Step-by-step guide to getting an ABA assessment for your autistic child in Essex County, NJ. Covers insurance, providers, and local resources.

Published October 5, 2026 · Essex County, New Jersey

Step 1: Know your child's age and which system handles the assessment

The first thing to figure out is your child's age. In New Jersey, the path to an ABA assessment depends on whether your child is under 3, between 3 and 21, or over 21. Each age group uses a different entry point.

Under 3 years old

If your child is under 3, you start with the New Jersey Early Intervention System. This is the state's program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. They will evaluate your child and, if eligible, create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). ABA therapy can be included in that plan. You do not go through a managed care plan for the assessment itself at this stage.

Age 3 through 21

For children age 3 and older, the single access point is PerformCare. PerformCare is the state's Children's System of Care. You call PerformCare to request a screening or assessment. They will ask about your concerns and help connect you to the right provider for an ABA evaluation. If your child is in school, the school district may also be involved (more on that in Step 3).

After age 21

Once your child turns 21, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) becomes the lead agency. DDD handles eligibility and service coordination for adults. The assessment process for ABA at that age is different and often involves a different set of providers. This article focuses on children, but know that DDD is your contact for adult services.

Step 2: Find an ABA provider in Essex County

Essex County has 79 ABA providers registered on the federal NPPES registry. That is a large number for a county of 851,117 people. The providers are spread across 22 municipalities. 19 of those towns have at least one provider located right in the town itself. Even if your town is one of the three without a provider, every town in Essex County has a provider within 7 miles. You do not have to travel far.

The towns with the most providers are Newark (10), Bloomfield (7), Livingston (7), East Orange (6), Maplewood (5), and West Orange (5). If you live in or near one of these towns, you will have many options. If you live in a smaller town like Essex Fells or Cedar Grove, you will still find providers in neighboring towns.

To find a provider, you can search the NPPES registry yourself or ask PerformCare for a list of contracted providers. If you have private insurance, your insurance company's provider directory is another good source. If your child is on NJ FamilyCare (the state's Medicaid and CHIP program), you will need to choose a provider that accepts your managed care plan. The four managed care plans in New Jersey are Horizon NJ Health, Wellpoint, Aetna Better Health of NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Call the plan to confirm a provider is in network before scheduling the assessment.

Step 3: Involve your school district if your child is school-age

If your child is in public school, the school district may be part of the assessment process. Essex County has several school districts, including Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, East Orange, Essex Fells, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, South Orange-Maplewood, and Millburn. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the district may already be evaluating for special education services. ABA can be written into an IEP as a related service if the team agrees it is necessary for your child to benefit from their education.

You can request an evaluation from the school district at any time. The district must respond within a certain number of days (check your state's special education timeline). The school evaluation may include an ABA assessment if the team decides it is appropriate. However, the school's assessment is for educational purposes. It may not be the same as a clinical ABA assessment needed for insurance coverage. You may need both.

If your child is not yet in school or is in private school, you can still request an evaluation from your resident school district. They have a duty to identify and evaluate children with disabilities regardless of where they attend school.

Step 4: The assessment itself

The ABA assessment is typically done by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The assessment can take several hours and may be spread over multiple sessions. The BCBA will observe your child, interview you, and use standardized tools to identify your child's strengths and needs. They will write a report that includes a diagnosis (if not already given), recommended hours of therapy, and specific goals.

You will need to provide consent for the assessment. If you are using insurance, the provider will submit a prior authorization request to your insurance company. The insurance company will review the assessment and decide how many hours of ABA therapy to approve. This process can take time. The exact wait varies by insurance plan and provider. Be prepared to follow up with both the provider and your insurance company.

If your child is on NJ FamilyCare through a managed care plan, the prior authorization process is handled by that plan. If your child is uninsured or underinsured, you may qualify for NJ FamilyCare. You can apply through the state's health insurance marketplace.

Step 5: After the assessment

Once the assessment is approved, the provider will begin ABA therapy. The therapy is usually one-on-one with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) supervised by a BCBA. The provider will update the treatment plan regularly. You will have periodic re-assessments to adjust goals and hours.

If you encounter delays or denials, you have the right to appeal. Each insurance plan has its own appeals process. For NJ FamilyCare, you can contact the managed care plan's member services or the state's ombudsman. For PerformCare, you can request a fair hearing. For school district issues, you can request a due process hearing. These steps are not quick, but they are available.

Remember that every child and family is different. The steps above are a general guide. Your specific situation may require extra calls, paperwork, or patience. Use the resources in Essex County: the many providers, the school districts, and the state systems. You are not alone in this process.