What is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps children with autism build meaningful skills for everyday life. At Forward Path ABA in West Des Moines, therapy is individualized to each child and may focus on communication, social skills, emotional regulation, play, daily living skills, independence, and learning. We use relationship-based, natural teaching strategies designed to support meaningful growth while honoring who each child is and how they experience the world.

ABA Therapy for Families in West Des Moines & Des Moines Metro

Forward Path ABA provides individualized ABA therapy for children and teens with autism ages 2–18, offering support from early intervention through adolescence. Therapy is tailored to each child's strengths, interests, goals, communication style, and developmental needs.

We serve families throughout the Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Urbandale, Johnston, Ankeny, Grimes, Adel, Altoona, Des Moines, and surrounding communities.

Insurance Accepted for ABA Therapy

We accept Wellmark BCBS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare, TRICARE, and other commercial insurance plans. Contact us to discuss your child's needs, insurance coverage, and current availability.

Getting Started With ABA Therapy

Getting started with Forward Path ABA is simple. We’ll guide your family through each step of the process.

1. Complete Our Getting Started Form
Tell us a little about your child, your family’s needs, and the services you’re looking for.

2. Insurance Verification
Our team will verify your ABA benefits and help you understand your coverage.

3. Initial ABA Assessment
A BCBA will complete an individualized assessment to better understand your child’s strengths, needs, communication, and areas where additional support may be helpful.

4. Individualized Treatment Planning
Together, we’ll develop an individualized plan focused on meaningful goals such as communication, relationships, emotional regulation, independence, and participation in everyday life.

5. Begin ABA Services
Once authorization is complete, your child can begin services with the Forward Path ABA team.

Now Enrolling • No Wait List

Our relationship-based approach supports meaningful skills while honoring each child’s strengths, needs, and individual way of experiencing the world.

Our mission is simple:

Helping children move forward while honoring exactly who they are.

Why Families Choose Forward Path ABA

At Forward Path, we believe every child deserves support that honors who they are while helping them build meaningful skills for everyday life. Our approach combines clinical expertise with genuine connection, creating an environment where children and families feel understood, supported, and ready to grow and thrive.

Neuroaffirming

We celebrate each child's unique strengths, communication style, and way of experiencing the world. Our goal is to build meaningful skills—not to change who a child is.

Relationship-Centered Therapy

Trust comes first. We believe the strongest learning happens within positive, respectful relationships where children feel safe, understood, and valued in who they are

Play-Based, Natural Learning

Children learn best when they're engaged. We use play, natural routines, and motivating activities to teach skills that carry over into everyday life at home, school, and in the community.

Family/Caregiver Connection

Choosing an ABA provider is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your child. We know you're not just looking for clinical expertise—you are looking for people you can trust.

At Forward Path, we recognize that your child is your greatest joy, your greatest responsibility, and the center of your world. We don't take the privilege of caring for them lightly.

Our commitment is to create a place where your child feels safe, respected, understood, and genuinely valued. We work alongside you, listen to your concerns, celebrate every milestone, and honor your goals for your child and your family.

Choosing an ABA provider is an important decision for your family. We believe caregivers should feel informed, heard, and included throughout their child's care.

Collaborative Care

We work closely with schools, physicians, therapists, and other professionals to create consistent, coordinated support across the environments that matter most to you and your child.

Expert Clinical Leadership

Forward Path ABA was founded by Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Augspurger, PhD, BCBA-D, LMHC, a doctoral-level behavior analyst, licensed mental health therapist, and special education teacher with more than 20 years of experience supporting children and families across behavioral, educational, and mental health settings. This unique background shapes our individualized, relationship-based approach to ABA therapy.

Our clinicians are carefully selected for both clinical expertise and their ability to build genuine, trusting relationships with children and families. Through close collaboration with caregivers, our team focuses on meaningful skills that extend beyond the therapy setting—including communication, emotional regulation, social connection, confidence, and independence.

Get Started

Contact Us

ABA Services

• Comprehensive ABA Assessments

• Early Intervention ABA

• Clinic-Based ABA Therapy

• Parent Training

• Social Skills Instruction

• School Collaboration

• Communication Support

• Behavior Support

• Daily Living Skills

• Emotional Regulation

• Executive Functioning

• Transition Planning

FAQ

• Do we have a waitlist? No waitlist * Enrolling Now

• What ages do we accept? Ages 2-18

• What Insurance do we accept? Medicaid, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Wellmark, TRICARE, and others

• Locations: West Des Moines, Des Moines, Clive, Waukee, Windsor Heights, Johnston, Altoona, Ankeny, Grimes