Trusted Autism Care

A Seamless Referral Experience

When you refer a family to Cardinal ABA, you’re trusting us with one of your patients and we take that responsibility seriously.

We partner with pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, schools, and other community providers to ensure children with autism receive timely, evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services.

Our team makes the referral process simple while keeping you informed every step of the way.

Refer a Patient

We strive to become an extension of your care team.

Partnering with Providers to Improve Outcomes

Our mission extends beyond providing ABA therapy we believe the best outcomes happen when providers work together.

When you refer a patient to Cardinal ABA, you can expect:

  • Fast response times to families
  • Streamlined insurance verification
  • Collaborative communication with your office
  • Evidence-based treatment planning
  • Progress updates throughout care
  • Family-centered support from intake through graduation

How to

Refer a Patient

Our referral process is designed to minimize work for your office while helping families begin services as quickly as possible.

  • Step 1: Submit a Referral

Choose whichever method is easiest for your practice.

Referral Form:
CLICK HERE

Email: intake@cardinalaba.com

  • Step 2: We Contact the Family

Our Family Care Coordinators reach out promptly to:

  • Answer questions
  • Explain the ABA process
  • Collect any additional information
  • Guide families through next steps
  • Step 3: Insurance Verification

Our insurance specialists verify benefits, explain coverage, and obtain any required authorizations.

If ABA is not immediately covered, we help families understand available options.

  • Step 4: Clinical Assessment

Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) complete a comprehensive assessment to determine medical necessity and develop an individualized treatment plan.

  • Step 5: Therapy Begins

Once authorized, therapy begins as quickly as possible based on clinical recommendations and family availability.

Throughout treatment, we maintain communication with referring providers when appropriate.

Our ABA Services

Center-Based ABA Therapy

Children learn through structured, play-based sessions in a supportive clinical environment designed to promote communication, independence, and social development.

Center-Based ABA Therapy

Children learn through structured, play-based sessions in a supportive clinical environment designed to promote communication, independence, and social development.

In-Home ABA Therapy

When clinically appropriate, our therapists deliver ABA services in the child’s natural environment, helping families build skills into everyday routines.

School Collaboration

We work alongside teachers, special education teams, and school staff to promote consistency across environments whenever appropriate.

Parent Training

Parents and caregivers are essential members of the treatment team.

We provide ongoing coaching, education, and practical strategies families can use at home to reinforce progress outside of therapy sessions.

Individuals seeking care or services directly.

Who Can Refer?

We welcome referrals from:

  • Pediatricians
  • Developmental Pediatricians
  • Family Medicine Physicians
  • Child Neurologists
  • Child Psychiatrists
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • Neuropsychologists
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Early Intervention Programs
  • Schools
  • Case Managers
  • Social Workers

Families may also contact us directly.

Everything you Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Most insurance plans require a formal autism diagnosis before ABA services begin. If a child is still awaiting evaluation, our team can discuss appropriate next steps and available resources.

Cardinal ABA provides services for children under 18 across developmental stages. Contact us to discuss eligibility and available programs.
We partner with many commercial insurance plans and will verify benefits before services begin.
Timeframes vary by location and insurance authorization, but our intake team works to move every referral through the process as efficiently as possible.

Start the Referral Process

Refer a Patient Today

Whether you’re referring your first patient or your fiftieth, our team is here to make the process simple for both your office and the families you serve.

Service Needs
Diagnosis(Required)
Consent(Required)

Dr. Mike Henderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Regional Operations Director

North Carolina

Mike Henderson, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D, is the Regional Operations Director at Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. With over two decades of experience in behavior analysis and organizational leadership, he focuses on mentoring teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and excellence in client care. Mike believes strong leadership and supportive systems are essential for helping clients, families, and providers succeed together.

Felicia Freeman

Clinic Manager

I am Felicia Freeman, the Clinic Manager for Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. I have been in ABA for several years now and am passionate about the community that we serve. I started out as an RBT, decided to go the administrative route, and worked my way up to managing clinics. I choose this field every day because I enjoy making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients and building strong teams that change lives.

Amanda Dean, MA, BCBA, LBA

Johnston County, NC

Amanda graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2018 with her Masters in Psychology. She proceeded to complete her graduate certificate in ABA and became a BCBA in November 2020. Amanda has a passion for behavior reduction, tolerance training and functional communication training. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 children and husband. When she’s not working, Amanda is very involved in her local Pop Warner Cheerleading program where she is the Assistant Cheer Director and a head coach.

Becky Fronheiser

Operations Director

Arizona

Becky has worked in behavioral health for 7 years. She joined Cardinal in the spring of 2024.  Becky is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate group of people and looks forward to supporting families with their specific ABA needs.  In her personal time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 6 kids and 4 grandkids and loves to travel and relax on the beach.

Matthew Wilkinson

Operations Director

Cary, NC

Matthew holds a bachelors degree from the University of Utah, Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and an MBA from Western Governors University. He has worked in the pediatric field for the majority of his professional life and has a passion for helping bring the best care to children in need. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and day trips to the coast.

 

Trisha Iannotta Bieszczad, PsyD., BCBA

Triad, NC

Trisha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive expertise since 2016 in applying behavior analytic principles to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Her professional journey began with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, emphasizing child and adolescent development. This foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a BCBA. Outside of her professional endeavors, Trisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family & trying out new restaurants. Trisha’s dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her commitment to continual growth and enrichment, both professionally and personally. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach each aspect of her life with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for learning and exploration.

Tina Lee

Director of Finance

Tina Lee is the Finance Director for Cardinal with a variety of experience in the Healthcare Industry for over 13 years. She is compassionate and always eager to assist where she can. In the ever-changing Healthcare environment, Tina has played a vital role in putting processes in place to obtain high efficiency outcomes to help our clients get the care they need. Tina enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with her family.

William Evans

Director of Outreach and Recruitment

William is a UNCW Graduate who started his professional career working in Marketing and Recruiting for a local technology company before looking for an opportunity to take those skills and help others. In his spare time he plays hockey, including annually for the North Carolina Autism Hockey Tournament, which is dedicated to the raising money and awareness for organizations helping local families with children diagnosed with autism.

Alice Okamoto, MA, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way!  Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.  Alice‘s professional experience began with ABA in a school setting, and has worked in schools, homes, and clinics throughout the years while enjoying collaboration with related providers.  In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling, exploring parks with her dog, Oliver, and trying new restaurants. 

Darrin Miller

CEO

Darrin has dedicated his education and career to the field of behavioral health. As a licensed therapist and master’s in clinical counseling he works to create solutions that improve the lives of those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local, state, and national level. He strives to create a culture of caring and empathy while innovating solutions for improving families’ access to quality care as quickly as possible.