Service area

ABA Therapy in Lakeland, FL

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

ABA therapy in Lakeland

Located in the heart of Polk County, Lakeland is a significant city in Central Florida, strategically positioned along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando. As the most populous city in the county with over 112,000 residents as of 2020, Lakeland offers a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Known as “Swan City” for the famous swans of Lake Morton, the area provides families with beautiful outdoor spaces, including the expansive 1,267-acre Circle B Bar Reserve.

For families in Lakeland managing the needs of a child with autism, the city's size and layout can present challenges when accessing specialized services. Commuting to and from appointments can add stress to an already busy schedule. Multicultural Development Services Center (MCDS) understands these challenges and offers a flexible approach to ABA therapy that fits the Lakeland lifestyle. By providing services directly in your home, school, or community settings, we eliminate the need for frequent travel to a center.

Our in-home ABA therapy services are designed to support children in their most familiar environment. This allows our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to work with your child on developing essential skills within the context of their daily life and routines. For a family living near a landmark like Circle B Bar Reserve, a therapy session might involve practicing social skills or following directions during a nature walk. For another family, a session could focus on communication and behavior during a trip to a local store.

This community-based approach allows our therapists to collaborate closely with parents and caregivers, providing the tools and strategies to support progress outside of scheduled sessions. Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Damaris Baez, and clinical supervisors like Hiram Aguilera, BCBA, our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to the specific needs of each family in Lakeland. We partner with you to create a supportive framework that helps your child learn and engage with the world around them.

About Lakeland

Population: 112641 (2020)
Areas & neighborhoods: Moorehead
Local landmarks: Lake Morton · Lakeland Linder International Airport · Publix Corporate Headquarters · Circle B Bar Reserve · John F. Cox Grammar School

Services available in Lakeland

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

Does MCDS offer ABA therapy services across all of Lakeland?

Yes, MCDS provides in-home and community-based ABA therapy throughout Lakeland and greater Polk County. Our service model is designed to meet families where they are, from central neighborhoods to more suburban areas.

My family enjoys visiting places like Lake Morton. Can ABA therapy sessions happen there?

Yes, our community-based therapy model allows for sessions to take place in appropriate public settings like parks. This approach helps children generalize skills in real-world environments with the support of their therapist.

Is MCDS familiar with providing services in Lakeland's schools?

MCDS collaborates with families and schools to provide services in educational settings, pending the school's policies and approval. Our goal is to create a consistent support system for your child across all environments.

Get in touch

To find out whether MCDS currently has provider availability in Lakeland, 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: Lakeland, Florida

This page describes MCDS's stated service area for Lakeland. 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.