Do kids with ADHD qualify for ABA?

Kids with ADHD can benefit from ABA methods, but qualifying for insurance-covered ABA usually depends on an autism diagnosis. Utah Medicaid and Utah’s autism insurance law both tie ABA coverage to autism spectrum disorder, so a child with ADHD alone often won’t have ABA benefits.

Many autistic children also have ADHD. In that case, ABA can work on attention, impulse control and following directions as part of the autism treatment plan. For ADHD without autism, behavior therapy and parent training based on similar principles are common, and your pediatrician can point you to options your plan covers. If you aren’t sure whether your child has autism, ADHD or both, a full evaluation is the place to start.