If your child was just diagnosed with autism, finding the right provider in Fort Collins is the next big step. You can start with a few phone calls and build your child's team from there.
Key Takeaways
- Match the provider to your child: The best fit depends on setting (home, center, or telehealth), the ages a provider serves, and whether they take your plan, so use the table below to shortlist.
- A diagnosis usually comes first: Most private plans need a written medical diagnosis before they cover ABA, though Health First Colorado does not require an autism diagnosis, and Fort Collins has local testing options if your child does not have one yet.
- Home and online options: Alpaca Health matches families with an in-network BCBA, at home or online.
Fort Collins Autism Providers
These ABA therapy and diagnostic options serve Fort Collins, with verified locations and contact details. We do not rank them and are not affiliated with any of them. Openings, ages, and insurance change often, so confirm the current details directly with each provider.
| Provider | Setting | Ages | Insurance notes | Location and phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Action Behavior Centers | Center-based ABA | 18 months to 8 years | Most major plans | 3351 Eastbrook Dr, Fort Collins; 720-677-1100 |
| BlueSprig Autism (Trumpet Behavioral Health) | Center, home, school, telehealth ABA | Children | Most major plans | 1613 Prospect Park Way, Suite 110; 970-297-7704 |
| Key Autism Services | In-home, school, community ABA | Children | Medicaid and major plans | Serves Fort Collins; 888-329-4535 |
| Array Clinical and Therapeutic Services | In-home and community ABA | Children | Verify by plan | Serves Fort Collins and Loveland; 970-617-6024 |
| Passport Autism | In-home and community ABA | Children | Verify by plan | Serves Fort Collins and Loveland; 970-281-5565 |
| Northern Colorado Assessment Center | Autism and ADHD testing (diagnosis) | Children and adults | Does not accept Medicaid | 363 W Drake Rd, Suite 6; 970-465-2977 |
For a wider directory that includes speech, occupational, and music therapists, The Arc of Larimer County keeps a resource guide covering Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley. If you're open to driving to a neighboring town, you can read our roundups of Loveland autism providers and Greeley autism providers.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Alpaca Health matches your family with a vetted, in-network BCBA. We handle the insurance paperwork so you can focus on your child.
Get matched with a BCBA →
Getting a Diagnosis in Fort Collins
If your child does not have a formal diagnosis yet, that is usually your first stop, because most private plans require it for ABA. Health First Colorado does not require one. The process usually starts with a developmental screening at your pediatrician's office, followed by a full diagnostic evaluation with a specialist such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist.
Locally, Northern Colorado Assessment Center offers autism testing for children and adults. Keep in mind it does not accept Medicaid, so ask about self-pay rates if that applies to you.
A school evaluation can help with classroom planning, but it usually does not replace the medical diagnosis insurers require, so ask for the medical evaluation by name. If you want to know what to expect to pay, you can read our diagnosis cost guide. When the evaluation is done, you can plan your next steps after a diagnosis.
How to Choose a Provider
Once you have a shortlist, ask each provider about these areas:
- Staff credentials: Is the team led by BCBAs, and are RBTs well-trained and supervised? Ask who will oversee your child's case.
- Treatment philosophy: Do they build a personalized plan around your child, or run a standard template? Listen for words like collaboration and child-led.
- Family involvement: Do they offer parent training and regular progress updates? You are a core part of the team.
- Setting and fit: Center-based care offers structure and peers; in-home care helps skills transfer to daily life; telehealth adds flexibility. Pick what suits your child.
- Access: Are they in-network with your plan, and how long is the wait?
For a consultation, it also helps to have a few questions ready, such as how they personalize plans, measure progress, and involve you. If you want more questions to bring along, you can read our full guide to choosing an ABA provider.
Beyond ABA: Building a Full Team
ABA is often the foundation, but many children in Fort Collins do best with a small team of specialists:
- Speech-language therapy: Builds communication, from spoken words to non-verbal cues.
- Occupational therapy: Supports daily living skills and sensory needs.
- Social skills groups: Give kids a place to practice with peers.
- Counseling or psychological support: Helps with anxiety, depression, or big emotions that fall outside ABA's scope.
The Arc of Larimer County resource guide lists local speech, occupational, and mental health providers, so you can round out the team as your child's needs become clearer.
Insurance and Funding
Colorado law helps Fort Collins families pay for ABA.
Most state-regulated health plans in Colorado must cover autism diagnosis and treatment, including ABA, once your child has a medical diagnosis. Self-funded employer plans follow federal rules, so confirm your specific plan.
Call the number on your insurance card and ask what ABA benefits you have, whether hours are capped, and what your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are. Get the answers in writing.
Cost depends on who delivers the therapy. Direct one-on-one sessions with an RBT typically run about $50 to $85 per hour, while assessment, planning, and supervision by a BCBA typically run about $120 to $200 per hour. These are private-pay estimates for 2026, and insurance and Medicaid reduce what you pay.
If you qualify for Colorado Medicaid, ABA is covered through age 20 when it is medically necessary. Check benefits at healthfirstcolorado.gov and program rules at hcpf.colorado.gov. If you're comparing ways to pay, you can read about Medicaid ABA coverage in Colorado and Colorado autism grants.
Local Support and Community
Therapy works better when your family has other help too. Fort Collins families can connect with The Arc of Larimer County for advocacy and its resource guide, and the Autism Society of Colorado for parent support groups, sibling programs, and community events.
For early support, Colorado's early intervention program serves children from birth to age three, and the free Child Find program evaluates children who may have a developmental delay. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps a plain-language overview of autism spectrum disorder and where to begin. Local parent groups are often the best source for useful tips on schools, respite, and what has worked for other families nearby.
How Alpaca Health Helps
Getting your child into care is the hard part, because of waitlists, insurance verification, and figuring out who is in-network. Alpaca Health handles those steps for your family.
We match your family with a vetted, in-network BCBA, with sessions at home or online. We are in-network with Medicaid in the states we serve and 100-plus other plans, and we verify your coverage for free before anything starts. Get matched with a BCBA to begin.
Finding the Right Fit in Fort Collins
Fort Collins has many kinds of care, from center-based ABA to in-home and telehealth options, plus local diagnostic testing and strong support through The Arc of Larimer County. Start with a diagnosis, shortlist a few providers from the table, ask the questions above, confirm insurance in writing, and add speech, OT, or counseling as your child needs them.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Alpaca Health matches your family with a vetted, in-network BCBA. We handle the insurance paperwork so you can focus on your child.
Get matched with a BCBA →Frequently Asked Questions
My child just got an autism diagnosis. What is the very first step?
Use that written diagnosis to contact your insurance plan and confirm your ABA benefits, since most private plans need it before they cover ABA. Health First Colorado does not require one. At the same time, start shortlisting local providers and scheduling consultations. Alpaca Health can match you with an in-network BCBA and verify your coverage first.
Where can I get my child tested for autism in Fort Collins?
Start with your pediatrician for a developmental screening, then get referred to a specialist for a full evaluation. Locally, Northern Colorado Assessment Center offers autism testing for children, though it does not take Medicaid. Ask any provider whether they diagnose or only deliver therapy, since many ABA centers require a diagnosis before starting.
How do I tell if a provider's style fits my child?
Ask about their philosophy as well as their credentials. Ask how they personalize therapy and fold in your child's interests, and how they involve you in setting goals. A strong provider feels like a partner and communicates openly. They also create a respectful environment for your child. Trust how the first consultation feels.
We were told ABA, but I think my child also needs speech and OT. How does that work?
ABA lays a foundation, and it works best alongside speech-language and occupational therapy. A good ABA provider will welcome collaboration with your child's other therapists so everyone is working toward complementary goals. The Arc of Larimer County resource guide can help you find local speech and OT options.
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