1. Make a Written Request

Submit a formal written request to your child’s school, specifically to the principal, special education coordinator, or district’s special education office. This request should state:

• That you are requesting an evaluation for special education services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

• That you are seeking consideration of ABA therapy or related behavioral interventions

• The specific concerns you have about your child’s educational performance or behavior

• Any relevant diagnoses or supporting documents, if available (e.g., autism diagnosis, private evaluations)

Tip: Always date your letter and keep a copy for your records.

2. Wait for the School’s Response

By law, schools must respond to your request within a certain time frame (usually 15 to 30 days, depending on your state). The school will either:

• Agree to the evaluation and begin the process, or

• Deny the request and provide a written explanation, including your rights to appeal

3. Participate in the Evaluation Process

If the school agrees, a team (including psychologists, special educators, speech/language therapists, etc.) will evaluate your child. This process may assess:

• Cognitive abilities

• Communication and language skills

• Social and emotional behavior

• Academic performance

• Behavioral needs (where ABA services are considered)

4. Attend the Eligibility Meeting

After the evaluation, the school will schedule an eligibility meeting. You’ll be part of this meeting, along with educators and specialists. If your child qualifies for services under one of the recognized categories (such as Autism Spectrum Disorder), an IEP will be developed.

5. Advocate for ABA Services in the IEP

During the IEP meeting:

• Discuss the specific behavioral challenges your child faces

• Share data or reports from outside ABA providers if you have them

• Ask for ABA services or behavioral goals to be added to the IEP

• Request that services be delivered by or under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

6. Review and Monitor Progress

Once the IEP is in place, the school is legally required to follow it. You should receive regular updates and be involved in annual reviews. If ABA goals or services aren’t being met, you can request another IEP meeting at any time.