From first call to first session.
A clear guide to starting care: what you do, what our team handles, and how we develop an individualized plan with the person receiving services and their support team.
From first contact to ongoing care.
Each step has a part for you and a part for our team. Requirements and timing vary by funding source, authorization, availability, and individual needs; we explain what applies to your situation.
Reach out
What you do
Send a request or call us. Share your city, contact information, and a little about the person seeking services and your goals.
What Animate handles
Our clinical team reviews the request, discusses service fit, and explains the next steps. You do not need every document ready to start the conversation.
Insurance & eligibility
What you do
Provide insurance or funding information and any referral or diagnostic documents requested during intake. Tell us when you are unsure what to provide.
What Animate handles
We help verify benefits or the funding pathway, identify required documents, and explain authorization steps and any known cost-sharing before care begins.
BCBA assessment
What you do
Share strengths, interests, everyday routines, and priorities. The person receiving care and their support team help the BCBA understand what matters.
What Animate handles
The BCBA reviews relevant records, observes and interacts with the person, and uses appropriate assessment tools to understand current skills and support needs.
Individualized treatment plan
What you do
Review the proposed goals, ask questions, and tell us what fits your routines and preferences. Raise anything that needs to change before services begin.
What Animate handles
The BCBA develops an individualized plan and explains the recommended goals, hours, approach, and how progress will be reviewed.
Authorization & your care team
What you do
Confirm availability, the agreed care setting, and any remaining intake information. Let us know about practical scheduling needs.
What Animate handles
We submit required information for authorization and coordinate the care team and schedule. Sessions begin once the necessary approvals and scheduling are in place.
Begin & review
What you do
Share feedback about sessions and everyday life. Discuss changing priorities and practice agreed strategies in ways that fit your routines.
What Animate handles
The BCBA supervises care, reviews session information and progress with you, and adjusts the plan. We prepare progress reports and reauthorization requests when required.
A few things that speed up your start.
You do not need every item ready to contact us. During intake, we will explain what is needed and how to provide it.
Insurance information
Insurance or Regional Center details for the person seeking services, so we can help verify coverage.
Diagnosis or referral
Any autism diagnosis report or physician referral, if you have one. Many funders require it for ABA.
Your goals
A few notes on strengths, interests, and the goals that matter to the person seeking care and their support team.
We've answered the ones families ask most.
From insurance and out-of-pocket costs to in-home versus in-center care and getting started, our Help Center covers it. And if yours isn't there, our clinical team is happy to help.
Take the first step today.
It starts with a short form and a conversation. We'll handle the rest, together.
