What to Look for in an ABA Provider

ABA therapy has two features to keep in mind when considering treatment style: it is data-driven, and it can absolutely be customized to meet your individual child’s needs.

As ABA therapy is a behavioral science, your BCBA should be tracking your child’s progress, collecting data, and making changes to the treatment plan accordingly. Be sure to ask your provider how this information is recorded, and how they will report it to you.

Another thing you want to watch out for when considering an ABA therapy provider is one who uses a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, look for a provider willing to tailor a treatment plan to suit your child’s needs. It should be one that focuses on the source of a behavioral problem rather than solely the actual behavior. 

A provider able to customize plans to fit childrens’ individual needs will be able to assist your child at different moments of their lives, not just early childhood. Because of its ability to focus on specific skills, ABA therapy can be applied to significant moments such as preparing for school or remaining calm for a doctor’s visit.

Part of being comfortable with any new adult working with your child, especially one with special needs, is knowing they have the knowledge to do so. When you talk to a potential ABA therapy provider, ask about the backgrounds of the RBTs and BCBAs who will be supervising and teaching your child. 

If your child is of preschool age, for instance, find out whether or not they have experience working with preschool-aged children. If your child struggles with transitions to the school classroom, ask whether or not they have worked on this skill in the past. Knowing they have the skillset to work with your individual child can help put your mind at ease during a stressful time. 

A knowledgeable and experienced ABA provider will know how valuable input from the parents is to their work. Make sure you will be involved throughout the treatment process. With parents and providers working together, ABA therapy yields its best results.

With your ABA provider, you should be able to:

• Give input on the skills your child needs to develop
• Learn the strategies used so you can implement them at home
• Receive feedback from the RBT following each session
• Be knowledgeable of the treatment plan in place

That way, you will be fully informed and part of the team to help your child reach their fullest potential.

After learning all the facts about an ABA therapy provider, sit down and consider your own feelings. It’s important to choose a provider that you, and eventually your child, feel comfortable with. You will need to communicate openly with this person or team, and feeling at ease with their personality type only makes this easier. 

You know, more than anyone, the types of personalities your child “clicks” with, so look for a provider you believe can keep your child engaged, while also feeling supported. For the best results, your child and the RBT need to establish a good relationship.