Does school-based ABA replace my child's IEP?

No, it works alongside it. Orchid's team works with administrators on actionable IEPs and 504 Plans, including Safety Net IEPs that add a further layer of support, so the behavior plan and the education plan pull in the same direction.

Who from Orchid actually works in the classroom?

Fully trained BCBAs and behavior technicians, supplied by Orchid, so schools don't have to recruit, hire, and train additional paras. Our BCBAs also provide in-person coaching and consultation to teachers, helping them apply ABA principles and adjust interventions as the year goes on.

How does school-based ABA support teachers and paraprofessionals?

We work directly with teachers to build behavior plans that are practical and manageable inside a busy classroom, equip them with proactive strategies for challenging behavior, and offer ongoing professional development for teachers, paras, and administrators. Continuous consultation is also how we help prevent burnout across the school year.

How are parents involved in school-based ABA?

Parents stay in the loop throughout. Orchid runs parent training workshops, keeps communication moving between school staff and families so behavior strategies stay consistent at home and at school, involves parents in transition planning between clinic and classroom, and reports on progress and next steps to schools and families alike.

Where does Orchid Academy offer school-based ABA in Washington?

Orchid supports schools around each of its Washington locations: Creekside Academy, Issaquah, Maple Street Academy, Issaquah, East Wenatchee Academy, Bothell In-Home ABA, Kirkland School & In-Home ABA, Sammamish School & In-Home ABA, Bellevue In-Home ABA, Covington In-Home ABA, Federal Way In-Home ABA, Auburn In-Home ABA. If your school is near one of those, start with the contact form and we can talk through what support would look like.

School-Based ABA

School-Based ABA Therapy

Orchid brings school-based ABA therapy into classrooms across Washington, with BCBAs and behavior technicians working alongside the teachers and paras who are already there every day.

Empowering School Administrators and Teachers: Resources & Expert Services for Autism Support

Founded by a Special Education Teacher, we are here for you!

ABA in a school works differently from private ABA services. The support has to fit what special education teachers deal with in the classroom every day.

Orchid's founder, Dr. Autumn Flick, spent seven years as a special education teacher before becoming a BCBA. That's why our school services are built to be practical in a real classroom.

Start Care Call (425) 699-7164

Free, no-obligation conversation

Find the right support for your child

A learner receiving school-based ABA therapy support from Orchid Academy in Washington.

Key Areas of Support

Orchid supports four groups in a school: learners, administrators, teachers and paras, and families. That includes classroom management help, taking load off school staff, and keeping schools and families working together, so learners with autism can stay included in their classrooms.

Learners:

Tailored Behavioral and Educational Support We build individualized strategies for behavior and academics in the classroom. The focus is on independence, communication, and the tools learners need to keep up alongside their peers.

Individualized Behavior Plans: Interventions built around each learner's needs, with the goal of keeping them included in general education settings.
Skills-Based Treatment (SBT) / Trauma-Informed Care: Specialized techniques for severe behavior challenges, delivered with a trauma-informed approach so learners feel emotionally safe.
In-Classroom Behavior Support: On-site support to help learners manage challenges in the classroom, get along with peers, and keep up with schoolwork.
Functional Communication Training (FCT): Teaching learners to communicate what they need in the classroom, so they rely less on adults.
Supporting Academic Instruction: We break academic tasks into manageable steps and provide tools that keep learners engaged with the curriculum and on track academically.

Administrators:

Improving Retention & Enhancing Service Quality Special education programs are hard to staff and support. Our services help schools improve staff retention and the quality of behavioral support, so your team has more time for learners.

Providing Expert ABA Professionals: We supply schools with fully trained BCBAs and behavior technicians, so you don't have to hire and train additional paras.
Cost-Effective Staffing Solutions: By partnering with Orchid, schools can avoid the cost and time associated with recruiting, hiring, and training additional staff.
Collaborative IEP & Safety Net Plan Support: Our team works with administrators to write compliant, actionable IEPs and 504 Plans. We also help create Safety Net IEPs, an extra layer of support that keeps the right interventions in place over time.
Professional Development for Staff: We offer ongoing training for teachers, paras, and administrators, so all school staff have the skills to support learners with autism.
Coordination Between Home and School: We keep communication moving between families, schools, and our team, and keep administrators updated on progress and support strategies.

Teachers & Paras:

Practical, Classroom-Friendly Solutions With a background in special education, we understand that teachers need practical solutions that fit into the realities of their classroom routines. We help teachers manage behaviors without adding to their workload.

Classroom Integration of ABA Strategies: We work directly with teachers on behavior plans that are practical and manageable in a busy classroom.
Collaborative Problem-Solving & Burnout Prevention: We partner with teachers to address specific challenges they face in the classroom, offering ongoing consultation and practical solutions. That steady support helps prevent burnout over the school year.
Behavior Management Techniques: Teachers learn proactive strategies for managing challenging behaviors and preventing disruptions.
On-Site Coaching and Consultation: Our BCBAs provide in-person support to teachers, helping them apply ABA principles and adjust interventions as needed.
Social & Communication Skills Development: We help teachers build communication, social interaction, and self-regulation skills in learners, so they can take part more fully in classroom activities.

Parents / Guardians:

Engaging Families in the Learning Process Learners do better when schools and families work together. Our parent collaboration services keep families involved and informed throughout the school year.

Parent Training Workshops: We offer workshops that help parents understand autism better and support their child's behavior plan at home.
Home-School Collaboration: Regular communication between school staff and parents keeps behavior strategies consistent at home and at school.
Family-Centered Transition Planning: We involve parents in transition planning as learners move from clinic to school or between classrooms.
Parent Resource Hub: Access to free resources and training videos to help families support their child's learning and behavior at home. Check our Autism Resource Navigator www.orchidacademy.com/blog
Consistent Communication About Progress: We work with both schools and parents to keep everyone informed about progress, challenges, and next steps for the learner's behavior and education.

Resources Designed for Teachers & Administrators

A woman sitting at a table with food and utensils, appearing thoughtful, in a classroom decorated with children's artwork on the walls.

Preventing Teacher Burnout Through Professional Development: A Tailored Approach for Special Education Teachers

How ongoing support, professional development, and a positive school culture can prevent burnout for special education teachers, drawn from personal experience and research.

Read about Preventing Teacher Burnout Through Professional Development: A Tailored Approach for Special Education Teachers

Three people in a discussion in an office. One woman is talking, holding a folder, another woman is standing with a coffee cup and a badge, and a man is sitting wearing a badge.

Empowering Teachers: How to Advocate for Yourself When Working with Paraprofessionals

Advocating for yourself with paraprofessionals is hard when roles are unclear or conflicts come up. Focus on safety, team-building, and clear communication. Bring administrators solutions along with the problems, and use data to back up your requests.

Read about Empowering Teachers: How to Advocate for Yourself When Working with Paraprofessionals

Three women walking and talking outdoors, two holding phones and one holding a notebook, dressed in business casual attire.

When 10% of Your Teachers Take Up 80% of Your Time: A Guide for Supporting Special Education

Special education teachers need compassion from their administrators as well as resources and budget. They juggle high parent involvement and manage their own health through close, often unpredictable contact with learners. Honoring sick day requests or saying "I hear you had a tough day" goes a long way toward making them feel supported.

Read about When 10% of Your Teachers Take Up 80% of Your Time: A Guide for Supporting Special Education

Explore more on our Autism Resource Navigator blog.

Educators and clinicians can also review our provider referral process for sending records securely and coordinating a family's next step.

Where Orchid Academy Offers School-Based ABA in Washington

School-Based ABA Therapy: Questions Schools and Families Ask

What is school-based ABA therapy?: School-based ABA therapy brings ABA support into your child's existing classroom rather than a clinic. Orchid places BCBAs and behavior technicians on site to work alongside the teachers and paras who are already there every day, covering individualized behavior plans, in-classroom behavior support, functional communication training, and help breaking academic tasks into manageable steps.
Does school-based ABA replace my child's IEP?: No, it works alongside it. Orchid's team works with administrators on actionable IEPs and 504 Plans, including Safety Net IEPs that add a further layer of support, so the behavior plan and the education plan pull in the same direction.
Who from Orchid actually works in the classroom?: Fully trained BCBAs and behavior technicians, supplied by Orchid, so schools don't have to recruit, hire, and train additional paras. Our BCBAs also provide in-person coaching and consultation to teachers, helping them apply ABA principles and adjust interventions as the year goes on.
How does school-based ABA support teachers and paraprofessionals?: We work directly with teachers to build behavior plans that are practical and manageable inside a busy classroom, equip them with proactive strategies for challenging behavior, and offer ongoing professional development for teachers, paras, and administrators. Continuous consultation is also how we help prevent burnout across the school year.
How are parents involved in school-based ABA?: Parents stay in the loop throughout. Orchid runs parent training workshops, keeps communication moving between school staff and families so behavior strategies stay consistent at home and at school, involves parents in transition planning between clinic and classroom, and reports on progress and next steps to schools and families alike.
Where does Orchid Academy offer school-based ABA in Washington?: Orchid supports schools around each of its Washington locations: Creekside Academy, Issaquah, Maple Street Academy, Issaquah, East Wenatchee Academy, Bothell In-Home ABA, Kirkland School & In-Home ABA, Sammamish School & In-Home ABA, Bellevue In-Home ABA, Covington In-Home ABA, Federal Way In-Home ABA, Auburn In-Home ABA. If your school is near one of those, start with the contact form and we can talk through what support would look like.

Related services & guides

Insurance Orchid Academy Accepts for ABA Therapy

Orchid Academy is in network with Premera Blue Cross, Regence, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Medicaid (Washington Apple Health), Molina Healthcare, Asuris Northwest Health, Personify Health, TRICARE.

Not sure if your plan is covered? We'll verify your benefits and explain your coverage before services begin, at no cost to you.

Insurance can feel overwhelming, so bring your questions. We'll walk you through what your plan covers and what you may owe before care starts.

Verify My Insurance →

Call (425) 699-7164 to check your plan, or compare carriers in the insurance guide.

Insurance participation varies by location and individual plan. Contact our team to confirm your specific benefits at hope@orchidacademy.com.

Start School-Based ABA with Orchid Academy

Tell us about your child or your school and we'll explain how our team can help.