On a Waitlist? 10 Things You Can Do Right Now While You Wait for ABA

You finally got the diagnosis. You found an ABA provider. And then you heard the words no parent wants to hear:

"We'll add you to our waitlist."

Weeks. Sometimes months.

It's easy to feel like everything is on pause. It isn't. The waitlist period is one of the most valuable windows you have, and what you do with it can shorten the wait and help your child hit the ground running when services start.

Here are 10 things you can do right now.

1. Get on More Than One Waitlist

One waitlist is a gamble. Three or four is a strategy.

There's no rule saying you can only wait for one provider. Contact several ABA companies that accept your insurance and ask to be added to each list. When a spot opens, you can decide then.

Keep a simple tracker with the provider name, the date you were added, your contact person, your estimated wait time, and when you last followed up.

You can search for ABA providers in your area on Kid Care Connect to build your list faster.

2. Follow Up, Politely and Regularly

Waitlists aren't always first-come, first-served. Openings come up because of cancellations, schedule changes, or a new RBT joining the team.

Families who check in stay top of mind.

Call or email every two to three weeks. Ask directly:

• "Has our position on the list changed?"
• "Do you keep a cancellation list?"
• "Would more flexible scheduling help us get started sooner?"

Flexibility matters. If you can accept morning sessions, clinic-based sessions, or a different location, say so. It can move you up.

3. Get Your Documents Ready Now

Here's a hard truth: some families reach the top of the waitlist and then lose weeks because paperwork isn't ready.

Don't let that be you.

Most ABA providers need a Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE), a prescription or referral, insurance information, and relevant medical or school records. Gather them now, make copies, and keep digital versions in one folder.

Not sure what you need? Read our guide: What Documents Are Needed to Start ABA Therapy?

And if you're unsure whether your evaluation qualifies, see Will Insurance Approve ABA Without a CDE?

4. Call Your Insurance Company Before the Provider Does

Don't wait to find out about coverage problems on day one.

Call your insurance company and ask:

• Is ABA therapy covered under my plan?
• Is prior authorization required?
• How many hours per week are typically approved?
• What are my copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums?
• Are the providers I'm waiting on in-network?

Write down the date, the representative's name, and a reference number for every call.

If your current plan isn't meeting your child's needs, it's worth knowing your options. Read: You May Have the Option to Change Insurance Companies.

5. Start Speech or Occupational Therapy in the Meantime

ABA isn't the only support your child can receive, and it doesn't have to come first.

Speech therapy and occupational therapy often have different (and sometimes shorter) waitlists. If your child's evaluation recommends them, start the process now. Many families use the ABA waiting period to get these services going.

Ask your child's evaluator or pediatrician which therapies were recommended, then search for speech and OT providers near you.

6. Look Into Telehealth Options

Some support doesn't require someone in your living room.

Telehealth can give you access to parent consultations, follow-up appointments with specialists, and guidance on handling behaviors at home, often with shorter waits and no travel.

Find providers offering telehealth on Kid Care Connect.

7. Actually Understand Your Child's Evaluation Report

Many parents leave their evaluation with a thick report full of scores, acronyms, and clinical language, and never fully understand it.

That report is a roadmap. It describes your child's strengths, challenges, and recommended services. Knowing what's in it helps you ask better questions and advocate more effectively.

Kid Care Connect's AI Report Analyzer lets you upload your child's report and get an easy-to-understand summary with actionable guidance. It's not a replacement for your clinician, but it's a great place to start before your next appointment.

8. Build Simple Routines at Home

You don't need to be a therapist to start helping your child now.

Small, consistent changes can make daily life smoother:

• Predictable routines for mornings, meals, and bedtime
• Visual schedules using pictures to show what's coming next
• Advance warnings before transitions ("Five more minutes, then bath")
• Noticing what works, like what calms your child and what triggers frustration

Write down what you observe. When ABA starts, this information will help your BCBA build a better plan, faster.

9. Contact Early Intervention or Your School District

Depending on your child's age, you may have access to free services right now.

• Under age 3: Contact your state's Early Intervention program. Services can include developmental support at home.
• Age 3 and up: Contact your local school district and ask about an evaluation for special education services. For school-age children, this may lead to an IEP (Individualized Education Program).

These services don't replace ABA, but they can provide meaningful support while you wait.

10. Prepare to Choose Wisely, and Take Care of Yourself

When a provider finally calls with an opening, the pressure to say yes immediately is intense. That's exactly why you should prepare now.

Use this time to learn what quality ABA looks like:

• How to Choose the Right ABA Therapy Company for Your Child
• ABA Therapy Provider Interview Checklist
• Red Flags to Watch for in an ABA Therapy Company
• BCBA vs. RBT: Understanding the Difference

And please, don't forget yourself. This journey is a marathon. Lean on family, find other parents who understand, and accept help when it's offered. If you need a break, Kid Care Connect can help you find a caregiver trained in special needs support.

Waiting Doesn't Mean Doing Nothing

A waitlist can feel like a closed door. But every step above moves your family forward. You get paperwork done, coverage confirmed, other therapies started, and the knowledge you need to make confident decisions.

When your spot opens, you'll be ready.

Want a step-by-step plan? Our free mini-course, First Steps After an Autism Diagnosis, walks you through the first 30 days after diagnosis. You'll learn how to build your support team, reduce overwhelm, and take action with clarity.

Ready to find support now? Search verified specialists or create your free parent account today.

Kid Care Connect: Reducing the time between diagnosis and treatment.