Epic Minds Therapy
855-995-3742

ABA therapy in South Dakota

South Dakota, meet Epic Minds.

Exceptional ABA and autism therapy for South Dakota kids, from a team that believes your child is a champion from day one.

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Why South Dakota families choose Epic Minds

Wherever you are, we'll meet you there

If you're raising a child with autism in South Dakota, you already know how far the nearest help can feel. Epic Minds Therapy is here to close that gap. We bring ABA therapy into your home, your child's school and the places your family goes every week, from the neighborhoods of Sioux Falls to the foot of the Black Hills. We accept South Dakota Medicaid and most major insurance, we take care of the authorization paperwork ourselves, and we build every plan around your child and the way your family lives.

South Dakota covers more than 77,000 square miles, and once you're outside Sioux Falls and Rapid City, the closest autism provider can be hours away. Here's how we make ABA work for families across all that ground.

We come to you

Your child learns best in the places they already know, so that's where our therapists go. You won't have to spend your week on I-29 and I-90 just to get to a clinic.

Your child's analyst is licensed in South Dakota

The state asks behavior analysts to hold a South Dakota license on top of national board certification, and every BCBA who oversees your child's care meets that standard.

Your child gets one steady face

We match each child with a dedicated RBT, so your child gets to know and trust the same person week after week. Behind the scenes, a BCBA reviews the data from every session and keeps the plan moving forward.

The paperwork is done before day one

Insurance in South Dakota comes with diagnosis rules, provider orders and prior authorization. We handle all of it, so your energy can go to your child.

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ABA therapy services available in South Dakota

Every kind of support your child might need, from people who care

In-home ABA therapy

Sessions happen in your living room, at your kitchen table and out in your backyard, woven into the routines your family already has. Your child gets to practice new skills right where they'll use them.

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School-based ABA therapy

Whether your child goes to a big district like Sioux Falls or a small rural school, we work hand in hand with the school team, and we're happy to sit beside you at IEP meetings.

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Parent training

You'll learn the same strategies your child's RBT uses, so the good days keep coming even when we're not there.

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Community-based ABA

Once a skill feels steady at home, we help your child carry it out into the world, whether that's the grocery store, the park or a family dinner out.

Telehealth support

Video check-ins and parent coaching help fill the time between home visits. South Dakota Medicaid allows telehealth for ABA as long as your BCBA also sees your child in person within the first 30 days and at least every 90 days after that.

Need a diagnosis first?

Our virtual evaluation partnership currently serves North Carolina families. Here in South Dakota, we'll point you toward evaluation options near you, such as the developmental pediatrics teams at Sanford Children's and Avera.

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Find the right option for your family

What ABA therapy helps with in South Dakota

Watching your child grow, one small win at a time

Every child's plan starts with your hopes for them. Here are some of the areas families most often want to work on.

Communication and connection

We help your child ask for help, answer questions and play alongside other kids, and over time, start conversations of their own.

Daily life and independence

Your child can build confidence with following directions, getting dressed, using the toilet and sitting down for meals, and learn to move from one activity to the next with fewer meltdowns.

Emotional and behavioral growth

We teach your child ways to calm down when something goes wrong, cope when plans change and handle sensory overload. When aggression or self-injury is part of the picture, we help replace it with safer ways to communicate.

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ABA therapy insurance South Dakota

Let us worry about coverage,
so you can focus on your child

Sorting out ABA therapy insurance in South Dakota can feel like a second job. Here's what you should know, and how much of it we take off your plate.

Plans we accept

Epic Minds accepts South Dakota Medicaid and CHIP, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Sanford Health Plan, Avera Health Plans, Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare.

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South Dakota Medicaid ABA therapy

South Dakota Medicaid and CHIP cover ABA for eligible children with an autism diagnosis, based on medical necessity and prior authorization. Medicaid here is fee-for-service with the PRIME primary care program, so you won't have to choose a managed care plan.

What state law requires

South Dakota requires commercial health plans to cover autism treatment, including ABA. Large-group plans have had to cover it since 2015, and individual and small-group plans were added in 2021. That means Wellmark ABA therapy, Sanford Health Plan ABA therapy and Avera Health Plans ABA therapy coverage are open to many South Dakota families through work or the marketplace.

Self-funded employer plans

Some employers pay claims themselves instead of buying a state-regulated policy. Those plans follow federal rules instead of South Dakota's mandate, so coverage can look different from one employer to the next. Plans administered by DAKOTACARE, UMR, Meritain and similar companies often fall into this group, and we'll look at yours carefully.

ABA therapy prior authorization in South Dakota

We verify your benefits, request the authorization and keep track of every renewal, including the six-month reauthorizations South Dakota Medicaid requires. You'll know what's covered before your child's first session.

How to start ABA therapy in South Dakota

Getting started is easier than you think

01You reach out

Call 855-995-3742 or fill out the form, and tell us a little about your child and where in South Dakota you live. We'll listen first and answer whatever's on your mind.

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02We verify your benefits

We confirm your coverage and request prior authorization for you, whether you have Medicaid, an employer plan or a marketplace plan.

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03Your BCBA gets to know your child

A licensed behavior analyst visits your child at home, learns what's going well and what's been hard, and writes a treatment plan with you.

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04Therapy begins

Your child's RBT starts regular sessions wherever your child needs support most. Most families go from that first call to a first session within 14 days.

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Start the process today

Epic Minds reviews

Families who've walked this road with us
Michelle Thompson

“Epic Minds Therapy is a great place with a caring and supportive team. Everyone is professional, easy to communicate with, and genuinely invested in helping kids grow and succeed.”

Tasia Nedd

“One of the most valuable aspects of Epic Minds Therapy is their emphasis on practical skill-building. The strategies they use are effective and designed to carry over into everyday life.”

Aliza Zaks

“Epic Minds Therapy has been incredible for our family. The therapists are caring, professional, and truly invested in our child's progress. We've seen amazing improvements.”

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ABA therapy near me in South Dakota

We're closer than you might think

Here are some of the South Dakota communities we serve.

Sioux Falls

South Dakota's largest city, along with Brandon, Harrisburg and Tea.

Rapid City

The gateway to the Black Hills, including Box Elder and Summerset.

Aberdeen

The heart of northeast South Dakota.

Brookings

Home to South Dakota State University, up I-29 from Sioux Falls.

Watertown

The Glacial Lakes region, between Lake Kampeska and Lake Pelican.

Live somewhere else in South Dakota, like Mitchell, Yankton, Pierre, Huron or Spearfish? Give us a call with your address, and we'll talk through what we can do where you live.

855-995-3742
ABA therapy FAQs for South Dakota families

We know you have questions, so here are some answers

Does insurance cover ABA therapy in South Dakota?

In most cases, yes. South Dakota Medicaid and CHIP cover ABA for eligible children with an autism diagnosis, and state law requires commercial plans to cover autism treatment, including ABA. Self-funded employer plans are the main exception, so we check those one by one.

What does South Dakota Medicaid need before ABA can start?

Your child will need a recent autism diagnosis from a physician or psychologist, an order from their medical provider and prior authorization. We take care of the authorization request and the six-month renewals for you.

Are your behavior analysts licensed in South Dakota?

Yes. South Dakota requires behavior analysts to be licensed by the state, and the BCBAs who supervise your child's care hold that license.

We live a long way from Sioux Falls or Rapid City. Can you still help?

Please call us with your address. We offer therapy at home, at school and out in the community, and telehealth can support your family between in-person visits.

What if my child hasn't been diagnosed yet?

Insurance usually needs a diagnosis before ABA can begin. We'll point you to evaluation options near you, like Sanford Children's or Avera, and get everything else ready so your child can start as soon as you have the report.

My child is under three. Where do we start?

South Dakota's Birth to Three program serves children from birth to 36 months, and it's a wonderful place to begin. ABA can start early too, often around age two or three, and we're glad to work alongside your Birth to Three team.

We're a Native American family. Can you work alongside IHS or our tribal health program?

Yes. Many Native families in South Dakota have Medicaid as well as IHS services, and with your permission, your BCBA can coordinate with your child's IHS or tribal health providers.

Autism support resources in South Dakota

You're not doing this alone

South Dakota Parent Connection

A statewide nonprofit based in Sioux Falls that helps families of children with disabilities and special health needs find their way through school, services and support.

Birth to Three

The South Dakota Department of Education's early intervention program for children from birth to 36 months. Call (605) 773-3678 or 800-305-3064.

Center for Disabilities

Part of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls, offering training, information and family resources across the state.

Disability Rights South Dakota

The state's protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities, there to help when you need someone in your corner.

Helpline Center 211

Dial 211 from anywhere in South Dakota to find local programs and support.

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6865 Deerpath Road, Suite 101, Elkridge, MD 21075 — View on Google Maps

Start ABA therapy in South Dakota

We'd love to meet your child

Reach out whenever you're ready. We'll check your insurance and walk you through everything that comes next.

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