From our experience launching our own ABA clinic, and from helping countless other start their own practices as well, we have put together a roadmap outline of the entire process. This is the best sequence to follow if you are starting your own ABA clinic which we are proud to have built with feedback from our growing ABA community (over 1000 members now). Click here to download the ABA clinic roadmap.

Let's delve deeper into the choice of legal structure for your ABA clinic, whether it's an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or a Corporation. Each option has its own set of advantages. It's crucial to consider these factors to determine which structure best aligns with your clinic's goals and needs:

Ensure your clinic complies with all state and federal licensing requirements. This will vary state by state so do your research or reach out to us, and we can help you with this.

One of your initial decisions is whether to accept insurance. Most ABA clinics rely on private insurance and government reimbursements. While some providers opt out due to the administrative burden of joining provider panels, undergoing credentialing, and navigating changing policies, this is less common.

Many clients seek ABA providers that accept their insurance and bill secondary providers.

Providers sometimes choose to become credentialed with several insurers, but it's often unnecessary. Typically, a few major insurers dominate your practice area. Research the popular payers in your region, then consider credentialing with them if you plan to accept insurance. This approach simplifies your administrative workload while ensuring broader coverage for local clients.

We know credentialing can be time consuming and a hassle! We offer professional medical credentialing services - which you can read more about here.

Getting Paid by your insurance providers is a pretty crucial step for all owners, but it can be costly and time consuming. We've written a pretty comprehensive guide on maximizing your ABA insurance payments - its the same process we use for our clients, and works wonders.

HIPAA Compliance is important for any medical practice - ABA or not. This law passed by congress in 1996 essentially is a series of regulations designed to safeguard patient information. These confidentiality regulations apply to both physical and electronic patient information.

Working in ABA you need to be familiar with the HIPAA regulations, and make sure that you, and your staff, are following them. You’ll also need to make sure you meet all of the requirements of certification and licenses. To make sure that you are staying compliant you’ll want to regularly provide HIPAA training, and updates for staff, as well as, regular testing of your procedures to make sure that you are meeting the requirements.

There are many common HIPAA violations that children’s behavioral health services need to be aware of. Not limited to working with non HIPAA compliant vendors or partners! One of the advantages of working with Agile ABA Medical Billing is that we are fully HIPAA compliant - the procedures and systems we can provide will manage your billing, revenue cycle and leave you free to focus on patient care. 

Location is pretty key when it comes to any successful business, but especially in the clinic space. Now only do you need to factor in the physical location, but you'll need to mind serious care when designing the space. Here's a more detailed exploration of the factors you should consider when deciding where to locate:

‍Proximity to Your Target Audience: Your clinic's location should be strategically positioned to cater to your target audience effectively. Research the local demographics, such as the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders and related conditions. Consider proximity to schools, pediatricians' offices, and areas with a higher demand for ABA therapy services.

‍Accessibility and Convenience: Accessibility is key. Ensure that your clinic is easily reachable for both clients and their caregivers. Look for locations with ample parking spaces, wheelchair accessibility, and public transportation options, making it convenient for families to attend therapy sessions.

‍Safety and Security: The safety of your clients, staff, and property is paramount. Choose a location in a safe neighborhood, and invest in security measures like surveillance systems and secure entry points. This not only ensures the well-being of everyone but also instills confidence in your clients and their families.

‍Competition and Market Presence: Research the competitive landscape. Are there other ABA clinics in the vicinity? If so, assess their services, pricing, and reputation. Consider whether the local market can support another clinic and how you can differentiate your clinic to stand out. You want to have a spreadsheet of all your competition, with their prices, structure etc. Get an overview of the landscape you are in and you can plan accordingly!

‍Size and Layout: Evaluate the size and layout of potential clinic spaces. Ensure it can accommodate therapy rooms, waiting areas, offices, and any additional facilities you plan to provide. A well-organized layout can enhance the therapeutic environment and efficiency of your clinic.

‍Cost and Budget: Your clinic's location can significantly impact your overhead costs. Consider your budget and assess whether a particular location aligns with your financial plan. Factor in not only the monthly rent but also utilities, maintenance, and other associated expenses.

‍Zoning and Regulations: Check local zoning laws and regulations to confirm that operating an ABA clinic is permissible in your chosen location. Some areas may have specific requirements or restrictions that you need to meet.

‍Visibility and Signage: A visible and recognizable location can aid in attracting clients. Investigate whether the chosen space allows for prominent signage that effectively advertises your clinic.

‍Room for Growth: Consider your long-term goals. Does the location have room for expansion if your clinic experiences growth in the future? It's wise to plan for scalability.

‍Community Integration: Becoming an integral part of the local community can foster trust and referrals. Explore opportunities for community involvement, such as collaborating with schools, support groups, or local events.

Selecting the right location is a critical step in the success of your ABA clinic. Take your time to research, evaluate, and visit potential locations to make an informed decision that aligns with your clinic's vision and the needs of your clients and their families. Don't just read through this list! Write this out and use it to evaluate all of your options.

The layout and design of your ABA clinic play a pivotal role in creating a therapeutic environment that fosters growth and development for individuals with autism and related disorders. Here, we'll delve into the essential aspects to consider when designing therapy rooms, waiting areas, and offices for maximum functionality and effectiveness:

Therapy Rooms:

Safety and Comfort: Safety should be the foremost consideration. Ensure that therapy rooms are free from hazards, with rounded corners and padded surfaces to prevent injuries. Comfort is equally important; provide ergonomic seating and sensory-friendly materials.

Natural Light and Ventilation: Whenever possible, incorporate natural light and proper ventilation to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Access to fresh air and daylight can positively impact the well-being of clients and staff.

Privacy: Each therapy room should offer privacy, allowing clients to focus on their sessions without distractions. Soundproofing measures can be beneficial to maintain a quiet and confidential environment.

Therapy Tools and Equipment: Equip therapy rooms with the necessary tools and equipment, such as sensory toys, communication boards, and behavior analysis software. Ensure easy access to these resources to facilitate therapy sessions.

Flexibility: Design rooms with flexibility in mind. Furniture and fixtures should be adaptable to accommodate various therapy methods and individual client needs.

Waiting Areas:

Comfortable Seating: Waiting areas should offer comfortable seating for clients and their caregivers. Consider providing a variety of seating options, including chairs, sofas, and sensory-friendly seating for children.

Entertainment: To reduce anxiety and wait times, incorporate entertainment options like age-appropriate toys, books, or educational materials. Interactive displays and sensory walls can engage and calm young clients.

Information and Resources: Use waiting areas as an opportunity to educate clients and caregivers. Display information about your clinic's services, ABA therapy, and community resources. Provide brochures and pamphlets for easy reference.

Privacy Considerations: Ensure that the layout allows for discretion and confidentiality, as clients may discuss sensitive matters in waiting areas. Consider private consultation spaces for caregivers to speak with clinicians.

Offices:

Privacy and Confidentiality: Office spaces are where important discussions and administrative tasks occur. Design them to offer privacy and confidentiality, with soundproofing and secure document storage.

Ergonomic Workstations: Prioritize the comfort and productivity of your staff. Provide ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, and adequate lighting to promote a healthy workspace.

Technology Integration: Equip offices with the necessary technology, including computers, printers, and software for scheduling, billing, and client records. Ensure a well-organized IT infrastructure.

Storage Solutions: Efficient storage is essential for maintaining client records, therapy materials, and office supplies. Consider built-in shelving, cabinets, and filing systems.

The layout and design of your ABA clinic should prioritize the well-being of your clients, as well as the efficiency of your staff. Create a safe, welcoming, and functional environment that supports the goals of ABA therapy and provides a positive experience for all involved.

Building a team can seem overwhelming but there are steps to make it a lot easier! The first thing you'll need to do is create is a hiring plan. You need to outline the roles and responsibilities which you're comfortable handling, and those with which you'll need help.

You'll want to try and outsource to professional experts where you can - these businesses provide a specialized service such as professional ABA billing, ABA marketing specialists, ABA accountants, and attorneys.

‍Recruitment: Create job listings and use job boards, networks, and professional associations to find ABA therapists. You'll want to post as wide as you can - we've seen success on LinkedIn, but also local job boards, and even Facebook!

Interviews: The interview process can be tricky - but it's your opportunity to assess candidates, determine their suitability for your clinic, and find the best fit for your team. Below we provide an in-depth guide to help you conduct effective interviews, including tips and a short outline of the process.

Prepare Thoroughly: Before interviews, thoroughly review each candidate's resume, cover letter, and application materials. Familiarize yourself with their qualifications and experience.

‍Develop a Consistent Process: Create a standardized interview process to ensure fairness and consistency among all candidates. This process should be applied to every applicant.

‍Behavioral Questions: Ask candidates about their past experiences using behavioral questions. These questions focus on specific situations and ask for examples of how they handled them. For instance, "Can you describe a challenging case you've worked on and how you approached it?"

‍Skills Assessment: Consider including a skills assessment in the interview process. This may involve role-playing, case scenario analysis, or a short written test to evaluate their clinical skills and knowledge.

‍Cultural Fit: Assess a candidate's compatibility with your clinic's culture and values. Ask about their approach to teamwork, communication, and the client-centric nature of ABA therapy.

‍Check References: Always check references provided by the candidate. This step can reveal valuable insights into their work history and character.

‍Stay Legal: Ensure your interview questions are legally compliant and do not infringe on anti-discrimination laws. Focus on job-related qualifications and avoid personal inquiries.

‍Active Listening: Pay attention to how well candidates communicate and actively listen during the interview. Effective communication skills are vital in ABA therapy.

‍Discuss Professional Growth: Inquire about a candidate's professional development goals and how they plan to stay updated with the latest ABA research and practices.

Paid Time Off: By providing a clear and comprehensive PTO policy, you not only comply with legal requirements but also create a positive work environment that attracts and retains talented ABA therapists. This ensures that your staff is well-rested, motivated, and better equipped to deliver quality care to your clients. We actually wrote an in-depth guide on exactly how to do this! Click here to get access to that in-depth guide on PTO policy design for your ABA clinic.

Attracting clients is rarely easy when you start any business - but it can be especially hard for ABA practices. You have a lot of riding on the line when you launch, and as a local business your SEO needs to be set up right from the get go.

When you are choosing an agency to partner with though, its best to understand some marketing yourself - so you know how to evaluate the agency. Its too easy to get lost in tech talk, or worse, unable to recognize false promises or bad strategy.

So even though patient care is always our priority - marketing is a key tool to reaching those people. The more people your clinic can reach - the more people you can help.

We want this guide to be comprehensive but we know its a lot of information to take in at once. The best thing to do is join our community, bookmark this page, and use it as a reference. Talking to other owners, rereading guides and using tools, like our ABA Startup Roadmap, will make this journey a lot easier. As you progress down the roadmap, and you will, come back here to check on specific steps.

And if we've missed anything please feel free to let us know. This is a living document we are actively working on.