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Applied Behavior Center for Autism
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Organization Overview
Applied Behavior Center for Autism is Indiana’s first and one of its largest providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children and teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Founded by Sherry Michael in 1997, ABC provides in-house autism diagnostic testing, center-based ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy across 21 centers statewide.
- Official nameApplied Behavior Center for Autism (ABC)
- Founded1995 (consulting) / 1997 (first therapy)
- Founder & CEOSherry Michael
- Experience30+ years
- Team300+ employees
- Centers21 across Indiana
- Service areaState of Indiana, USA
- HoursMon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Mission
“To provide the highest quality ABA and Verbal Behavior therapy and consulting services to children and their families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder to build brighter futures… Our programs focus on increasing language skills, social skills, daily living, and reducing problematic behavior.”
Founding story
In 1995, founder Sherry Michael’s 2-year-old son Michael was diagnosed with autism — the first child in his school district to receive the diagnosis. With no ABA centers in Indiana at the time, Sherry began consulting in 1995 and offering ABA therapy and swim lessons from her home in 1997, becoming Indiana’s first ABA provider. ABC has since grown to 21 centers and 300+ employees while keeping a family-first philosophy.
Services
ABC serves individuals with autism of all ages — from diagnosis through adulthood — and coordinates therapies through one clinical team.
Diagnostic Testing
In-house autism evaluations by a licensed Clinical Psychologist. Appointments typically within 4 weeks or less; same-day verbal diagnosis often available; written results in ~2 weeks. Offered up to age 12, English only. Physician referral required. Testing sites: Indianapolis North, Richmond, Terre Haute, Vincennes.
Center-Based ABA Therapy
Full-time and part-time ABA in a structured clinic. One-on-one work with Behavior Technicians, supervised by a BCBA. Includes the L.I.F.E. (Learning In Functional Environments) Program for ages 10+.
Occupational Therapy
Builds daily-living skills, fine motor skills, sensory regulation, play skills, and independence — coordinated with ABA.
Speech Therapy
In-house SLPs address articulation, receptive/expressive language, social communication, cognition, and AAC using the Verbal Behavior approach (mands, tacts, intraverbals, echoics).
Also offered: Behavior consultation Toilet-training program Desensitization (haircuts, dental, medical) Social skills support Parent training (no cost)
Clinical approach
Parent-oriented and data-driven: individualized plans, daily data collection, and a digital tracking system parents can log into anytime. Every family is assigned a Behavior Analyst plus a Branch Manager, and caseloads are kept small for individual attention.
Locations — 21 Indiana Centers
Full directory: appliedbehaviorcenter.org/locations. All centers are open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
| Center | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel | 13431 Old Meridian Street, Suite #190, Carmel, IN 46032 | (317) 573-5437 |
| Central West (Indianapolis) | 3731 Guion Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46222 | (317) 526-5437 |
| Cloverdale | 54 N. Main Street, Cloverdale, IN 46120 | (765) 301-9285 |
| Crawfordsville | 719 N Englewood Drive, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 | (765) 307-2104 |
| Evansville | 2101 Maxwell Ave, Evansville, IN 47711 | (812) 909-9420 |
| Fishers | 12244 E 116th Street, Fishers, IN 46037 | (317) 842-5437 |
| Fort Wayne | 6130 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815 | (260) 203-0787 |
| Frankfort | 850 Delphi Avenue, Frankfort, IN 46041 | (765) 670-6300 |
| Greenwood | 374 Meridian Parke Lane, Greenwood, IN 46142 | (317) 889-5437 |
| Indianapolis North | 7901 E. 88th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46256 | (317) 849-5437 |
| Indianapolis Southeast | 5545 E. Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN 46237 | (317) 960-5437 |
| Indianapolis West | 6865 Parkdale Place, Indianapolis, IN 46254 | (317) 299-5437 |
| Jasper | 690 W. 2nd Street, Suite D, Jasper, IN 47546 | (812) 481-8141 |
| Lafayette | 80 Professional Court, Lafayette, IN 47905 | (765) 448-1758 |
| Lebanon (Hendricks Dr) | 925 Hendricks Dr, Lebanon, IN 46052 | (765) 481-2703 |
| Lebanon (Birchwood Dr) | 110 Birchwood Drive, Lebanon, IN 46052 | (765) 481-2260 |
| Monticello | 715 N Main Street, Monticello, IN 47960 | (574) 240-2192 |
| Noblesville | 9155 E. 146th Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 | (317) 219-5702 |
| Richmond | 4440 Garwood Place, Richmond, IN 47374 | (765) 987-5437 |
| Terre Haute | 1320 Walnut Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807 | (812) 478-5437 |
| Vincennes | 413 N 1st Street, Vincennes, IN 47591 | (812) 316-0075 |
Insurance, Funding & Medicaid
ABC is in-network with most major insurance providers and most Medicaid networks for both ABA therapy and diagnostic testing, and provides full-service insurance processing at no charge — pre-authorizations, re-authorizations, billing, and denied-claim corrections. An ASD diagnosis is required by insurers to receive ABA therapy.
Accepted Medicaid networks
Managed Health Services (MHS), Traditional Medicaid, CareSource, UHC/Optum. Indiana’s Hoosier Care Connect program covers ABA therapy.
Not in network
Anthem Medicaid, MDWise Medicaid, Tricare, Illinois Medicaid, Kentucky Medicaid. (Families may switch networks during open Medicaid enrollment.)
Grants & scholarships
ABC has compiled 20+ grants and scholarships to help reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.
Indiana Autism Insurance Mandate
Requires state-regulated health plans to cover ASD treatment. Founder/CEO Sherry Michael was instrumental in getting it passed.
Learn more: Funding & Medicaid · Payments (online bill pay via Clover)
Referrals & Careers
Physician Referrals
HIPAA-compliant referral form for physicians. Referrals accepted only for children suspected of or having an ASD diagnosis. Contact: (317) 849-5437 · Enrollment@AppliedBehaviorCenter.org.
School Referrals
Wrap service contracts, settlement agreements, and blended funding. Experienced with IEP, FAPE, LRE, IDEA, and Article 7; 1:1 and 2:1 staffing available.
Careers
300+ employees; hiring BCBAs and BCaBAs with sign-on bonus. Benefits include a 3.5% 401(k) match, health/dental/vision, a 7-level therapist progression system, 16+ free CEUs/year, and no non-competes. ABC is a BACB ACE provider.
Research Department
Evidence-based practice and a CEU Journal Club studying EIBI, Skills-Based Treatment, Kind Extinction, and Joint Attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific, evidence-based treatment that helps children with autism learn communication, social, behavioral, and daily-living skills using reinforcement to increase appropriate behaviors and reduce inappropriate ones.
Does insurance cover autism services?
Many plans cover diagnostic testing, ABA, speech, and occupational therapy. ABC is in-network with most major insurers and most Medicaid networks and handles 100% of insurance processing for families. An autism diagnosis is required for ABA therapy.
Who conducts the diagnostic testing, and what are the age limits?
A licensed Clinical Psychologist. Testing is offered up to age 12 (English only) at the Indianapolis North, Richmond, Terre Haute, and Vincennes centers. A physician referral is required.
What programs exist for teens and young adults?
The L.I.F.E. (Learning In Functional Environments) Program for ages 10 and up, focused on functional and adult daily-living skills, plus toilet-training and desensitization programs.
How many locations, and what are the hours?
21 centers across Indiana, open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, year-round except major national holidays.
How do I get started?
Complete the online form at appliedbehaviorcenter.org/get-started or call (317) 849-5437.
Contact
Enrollment
Phone: (317) 849-5437
Email: Enrollment@AppliedBehaviorCenter.org
Enroll: Get Started
Billing
Email: Billing@AppliedBehaviorCenter.org
Statements: (317) 849-5437
Fax: (317) 842-5911