Last verified: October 2026
Can a Broward family pay for aba therapy (autism) with Florida scholarship money?
It depends on the program: Unique Abilities: eligible; PEP: not eligible; Private School Scholarship: not eligible. Applied Behavior Analysis is named in the FES-UA statute and tends to be the largest single therapy cost in the program.
What are the rules for aba therapy (autism) in 2026-27?
These rules come from Step Up's 2026-27 purchasing guides and its September 16, 2026 summary of changes.
- Check a BCBA's credential on the certification board's public registry before booking.
- Services cannot duplicate what insurance already pays.
- Sessions with a licensed psychologist, mental health counselor, family therapist or clinical social worker form their own allowed specialized-service line.
What is not allowed for aba therapy (autism)?
The items below are excluded or need approval first.
- Unsupervised technicians
- Anything an insurer or HSA has reimbursed
How do Broward families use aba therapy (autism)?
71 Broward private schools report serving autism spectrum disorder. Ask a school whether ABA happens on campus and how it is billed.
How does a Broward family pay for aba therapy (autism)?
Begin with MyScholarShop, where listed items need no further approval, and next try Find Providers in EMA so tutors, therapists and instructors are paid directly. If neither works, pay by card, save the itemized receipt and ask for reimbursement. Something the guides leave out must be approved before you buy it, and requests for 2026-27 approval stop on May 28, 2027.
Which programs allow aba therapy (autism), and which do not?
Each program treats aba therapy (autism) differently, and the table gives the status for all three.
| Program | Status | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Eligible | ABA provided by, or supervised by, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, including registered behavior technicians under BCBA supervision. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Not eligible | Not available under PEP. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Not eligible | Not a permitted category. |
Related questions
- Can a Broward family pay for speech-language therapy with scholarship money?
- Can a Broward family pay for occupational & physical therapy with scholarship money?
- Can a Broward family pay for sensory materials & assistive technology with scholarship money?
- How much is the Broward award by grade?
- What can PEP and FES-UA pay for overall?
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Based on the FES-UA Purchasing Guide (FCSUA and Step Up For Students) and the PEP Purchasing Guide for 2026-27, plus Step Up's "Program Handbooks and Purchasing Guides: Summary of Changes" dated September 16, 2026. Treat this as a plain-language summary and not legal advice, since the handbook of your funding organization governs.