Service area

ABA Therapy in Lorida, FL

MCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Lorida, Highlands County.

ABA therapy in Lorida

Multicultural Development Services Center (MCDS) is proud to offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services to families in the unincorporated community of Lorida, Florida. Situated in eastern Highlands County between Sebring and Okeechobee, Lorida is a unique community known for its tranquil setting along the north and east shores of Lake Istokpoga and its placement along the U.S. Route 98 corridor.

For families raising children with autism spectrum disorder in a rural setting like Lorida, accessing consistent, high-quality clinical support can be a challenge. The need to travel to larger city centers for appointments can disrupt family routines and add unnecessary stress. MCDS addresses this by bringing compassionate, evidence-based ABA therapy directly to your family through in-home and community-based services. Our flexible approach means our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) meet you where you are, whether that’s at home, school, or another community setting.

Lorida’s distinct character, defined by its numerous fish camps and connection to the outdoors, provides an ideal backdrop for Natural Environment Teaching (NET). This ABA strategy focuses on teaching skills within the context of everyday life and activities. A therapy session might involve practicing social communication during a family walk near Lake Istokpoga or developing daily living skills within the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Our goal is to integrate skill development seamlessly into your child’s daily life, making learning a natural and engaging process.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Damaris Baez and with clinical oversight from Hiram Aguilera, BCBA, our team is dedicated to creating individualized therapy plans that respect your family's values and specific needs. We understand the dynamics of life in Highlands County and are committed to providing accessible, culturally sensitive care to every family we serve. By eliminating the barrier of travel, MCDS empowers Lorida families to access the support they need to help their children build meaningful skills and thrive in their own community.

About Lorida

Local landmarks: Lake Istokpoga · U.S. Route 98

Services available in Lorida

Depending on assessment and authorization, MCDS may deliver the following services to Lorida families:

ABA Therapy — Individualized applied behavior analysis therapy for children, informed by more than two decades of behavioral-services experience in South Florida.
In-Home ABA Therapy — ABA therapy delivered where children learn best — inside their home and daily routines.
School-Based ABA Support — Collaborative behavioral support that partners with schools and educational teams when clinically appropriate.
Community-Based ABA Therapy — ABA therapy in real community settings so children can practice skills where they use them.
Early Intervention — Individualized early intervention for young children showing signs of developmental or behavioral needs.
Parent and Caregiver Training — Structured coaching that equips caregivers to support their child throughout everyday routines.

Insurance for Lorida families

MCDS works with eligible plans from Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, and TRICARE, plus qualifying Florida Medicaid fee-for-service coverage. Verify your specific plan on the benefits verification page.

Questions from Lorida families

My family lives in Lorida, which isn't an incorporated city. Does MCDS provide ABA therapy services here?

Yes, MCDS proudly serves the unincorporated community of Lorida and the surrounding Highlands County area. Our in-home and community-based service model is specifically designed to bring ABA therapy directly to families in areas without a local therapy center.

We spend a lot of time near Lake Istokpoga. Can therapy sessions take place in outdoor community settings?

Absolutely. Our therapists frequently use Natural Environment Teaching (NET), which involves teaching skills in real-world settings. A session can be adapted to incorporate activities your child enjoys in familiar environments like parks or community spaces near the lake.

What is the history of Lorida's name?

The community was first named Istokpoga, a Seminole name. When U.S. postal authorities requested a change to avoid confusion with another post office, the name was changed to Lorida, which is an abbreviated form of 'Florida'.

Get in touch

To find out whether MCDS currently has provider availability in Lorida, call 954-302-8758 or request a call.

Reviewed by Damaris Baez, Executive Director

Executive Director, Multicultural Development Services Center

Last reviewed August 16, 2026

Sources

Wikipedia: Lorida, Florida

This page describes MCDS's stated service area for Lorida. It does not represent a physical clinic location. Availability of a specific clinician, schedule, service, or service setting may vary based on location, staffing, clinical needs, insurance authorization, and current capacity.