Autism Therapy & Services in Carlsbad, CA
Cortica’s Carlsbad center provides comprehensive autism therapy and neurodevelopmental care for children and adolescents up to 17 years old throughout North San Diego County and the surrounding coastal communities.From formal autism evaluations to ongoing therapy sessions, our team of pediatricians, neurologists, therapists, and counselors work together to help your child reach their full potential. Our comprehensive services include:
Developmental Therapies: Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy
Our Carlsbad Center Features:
More than 20 rooms for therapies and medical evaluations
Large gym with rock climbing wall
Outdoor space
What sets Cortica apart is our integrated whole child model. Your child's doctors, therapists, and counselors work in the same location and communicate regularly about treatment plans, ensuring that progress in one area supports growth in others. This coordination eliminates the stress of managing multiple providers across different locations and creates a seamless care experience for your family.
The Carlsbad team includes experienced clinical leadership, licensed ABA supervisors, developmental therapy supervisors, and caring medical and mental-health clinicians who collaborate to deliver seamless, personalized care. Through regular communication and shared treatment planning, your child receives consistent support that aligns with their strengths and growth areas.
We accept most major insurance plans and handle all authorization and billing directly, so you can focus on your child's progress rather than paperwork. Our neurodiversity-affirming approach celebrates your child's unique strengths while providing the support they need to thrive.
Nearby Areas We Serve
Oceanside, CA
Encinitas, CA
Vista, CA
San Marcos, CA
Leucadia, CA
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
La Costa, CA
Del Mar, CA
Poway, CA
Escondido, CA
Let's get you started without the headaches.
We understand that navigating insurance coverage takes work and that the sooner services begin, the sooner your loved ones will see progress. Our team will verify your coverages, check eligibility and benefits, and work directly with your insurance company to attain authorizations so you don't have to.
We Help You Focus on the Therapy Experience
During your Welcome Visit, we review your coverage and provide an overview of your deductible, copay, and out-of-pocket maximums. Cortica's comprehensive, in-house programs include pediatric neurology, developmental therapies, family counseling, ABA, and more. As we work with you to create your unique care plan, we provide regular updates about payment options and gather authorizations from your insurance company. Throughout the course of care, we monitor coverage status and obtain renewals so you can concentrate on what truly matters.
Our Payers
Our team is constantly contracting with new payers, so please check back often if you are still waiting to see yours. We also accept cash payments if you prefer.
The Carlsbad Team
Beth Johnson, MD, FAAP
Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician
Ariel Forman
Developmental Therapies Supervisor
Makenna Wesseln
Associate ABA Site Manager, mwesseln@corticacare.com, (858) 216-8337 ext. 10554
Beth Siegan
Senior ABA Site Manager, bsiegan@corticacare.com, (619) 377-6451
Sarah Merz
Operations Manager, smerz@corticacare.com, (858) 400-4657
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for insurance to cover treatment, including ABA?
Yes - in almost all cases, a diagnosis of ASD is required to cover treatment. Unlike other providers, our full-time pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, and nurse practitioners provide a diagnosis in-house, often virtually, during your Telehealth Welcome Visit. There's no need to pursue an Autism diagnosis from another provider.
Do you have a waitlist?
We typically do not have a waitlist for welcome visits, medical visits, developmental therapy evaluations, and ABA assessments. As these evaluations and assessments are complete, we prescribe weekly developmental therapy and ABA sessions as needed. Depending on your availability, we can quickly start these services. We are constantly hiring and training new DT and ABA therapists. We know that progress comes from access to services, and we will contact you any time we have an opening.
Do you only treat Autism?
We specialize in Autism care, but we also serve a broad range of neurodiverse patients, including those with developmental delay, ADHD, epilepsy, genetic syndromes, sensory processing disorder, and more. Our team has expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of developmental challenges.