Service area
ABA Therapy in Bartow, FL
MCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Bartow, Polk County.
ABA therapy in Bartow
Welcome to Bartow, the historic county seat of Polk County. Known as the "City of Oaks and Azaleas," Bartow offers a unique blend of Southern culture and small-city heritage for its more than 19,300 residents (2020 Census). Founded in 1851 near the headwaters of the Peace River, the city has maintained its distinct identity even as the larger Lakeland-Winter Haven metropolitan area has grown around it. Landmarks like the magnificent Old Polk County Courthouse, built in 1909, stand as testaments to Bartow's long-standing role as "Polk County's Capital City."
For families living in Bartow, this strong sense of community is a major draw. As the area continues to grow, the need for accessible and specialized pediatric services is also expanding. Multicultural Development Services Center (MCDS) is committed to supporting Bartow families by providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy directly in the environments where children are most comfortable. Our in-home, school-based, and telehealth ABA therapy services are designed to meet the needs of a community that values both tradition and progress.
Instead of requiring families to travel along U.S. Route 17 or State Road 60 to larger cities for care, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) come to you. This approach supports skill development in real-world settings—at home, in school, or within the Bartow community. It allows therapy to be integrated into a family's daily routine, helping children with autism spectrum disorder build functional communication and social skills in a familiar context.
Under the guidance of our leadership, including Executive Director Damaris Baez and BCBA Hiram Aguilera, MCDS is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based support. We understand the unique fabric of Bartow and are proud to partner with local families, providing the resources they need to help their children learn and develop right here in the City of Oaks and Azaleas.
About Bartow
- Population
- 19309 (2020)
- Local landmarks
- Old Polk County Courthouse · Bartow High School (formerly Summerlin Institute) · Peace River · Lake Hancock · National Register of Historic Places districts
Services available in Bartow
Depending on assessment and authorization, MCDS may deliver the following services to Bartow 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 Bartow 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 Bartow families
Get in touch
To find out whether MCDS currently has provider availability in Bartow, call 954-302-8758 or request a call.
This page describes MCDS's stated service area for Bartow. 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.
Other cities MCDS serves in Polk County
- ABA Therapy in LakelandMCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Lakeland, Polk County.
- ABA Therapy in Winter HavenMCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Winter Haven, Polk County.
- ABA Therapy in Haines CityMCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Haines City, Polk County.
- ABA Therapy in AuburndaleMCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Auburndale, Polk County.
- ABA Therapy in DavenportMCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Davenport, Polk County.
- ABA Therapy in Lake WalesMCDS provides culturally responsive, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy for children and families in Lake Wales, Polk County.