Texas Autism and ABA Resources
Texas Medicaid (STAR Health) covers ABA for eligible children, and the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin metro areas each have large and well-developed ABA provider markets. Texas also has the HCS (Home and Community-Based Services) waiver for long-term developmental disability support, though waitlists can span years. Rural Texas, particularly West Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, has severe provider shortages.
Medicaid in Texas
Texas Medicaid (STAR Health)
Texas Medicaid (STAR Health) covers ABA under EPSDT for eligible children under 21. Texas also has HCBS waiver programs, including the Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) waiver, for longer-term support, though waitlists can be long.
Early intervention in Texas (ages 0–3)
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
If your child is under 3, Texas families may qualify for free early intervention services through Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). Services can include speech therapy, developmental support, and behavior support at no cost, even before a formal diagnosis. The ECTA Center maintains a verified directory of Texas's Part C coordinator and program contacts.
Texas EI contacts (ECTA)Special education in Texas (ages 3–21)
Texas OSEP State Lead
Once your child turns 3, services shift from early intervention to the public school system under IDEA Part B. Your state's OSEP State Lead oversees special education implementation, including IEPs and school-based support, across Texas. The U.S. Department of Education's directory links directly to your state's contact.
Texas special education lead (OSEP)What families in Texas should know
- •Apply for the Texas HCS waiver as early as possible; waitlists can be 8 to 10 or more years, and early placement on the list matters regardless of whether you need services right now
- •Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), Texas's birth-to-3 program, is available in all 254 counties and can begin without a formal diagnosis
- •Families in the Rio Grande Valley should ask providers specifically about bilingual ABA services; the region has a large Spanish-speaking population that is often underserved by the current provider network
Need the BCBA registry, Autism Speaks grants, or local chapters?
These tools work for every state and are on the main resources page.
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