As a parent of a child with autism, you want to give them every chance to thrive and succeed, and ABA therapy is currently one of the best therapy techniques to help your child increase independence, improve communication skills, and build positive behaviors.
However, ABA therapy providers are not made equal. Thus, you need to sift through your options and choose the right one that offers the specialized care your child needs. Here are some tips to make sure you’re choosing the best ABA provider that can drive real progress:
1. Consider both professional and personal approach
ABA therapy is an evidence-based method of autism treatment. However, beyond practical techniques and qualifications, at the end of the day, you would also want to work with a provider who can connect with your child and family on a personal level. The therapeutic approach can still deliver a high standard of professional care without resorting to impersonal and rigid strategies. You should be able to feel like it’s more than just a series of clinical tasks and your child is not just a “case” but a unique individual with preferences, emotions, personality, and whole individuality.
One of the best things about ABA therapy is how you can personalize it to suit the child and family’s needs. See to it that you’re working with an ABA provider who actively listens to your needs, tracks progress, and is flexible enough to make adjustments as needed. The treatment plan should be specific to your child’s strengths, goals, and challenges. Most importantly, since professional expertise is only half the equation, the ABA therapist should be able to successfully build a connection with your child. That sense of trust is crucial to ensure your child’s comfort and success.
2. Consider your child’s specific needs
Many ABA therapy providers have their own specializations. Some focus on babies and toddlers while others welcome teens and adults. Some also mainly target the development of social skills while others focus on academics and school-based goals. It’s important to ask your prospective ABA therapy provider what their main value proposition is.
If it’s important for you to work with a provider that offers parent training, make sure to raise that question beforehand as well. Before you begin your search, consider thinking about and writing down a list of everything that matters to you and your child. Include your ideal location, schedule, and setting (e.g. in-home, center-based, school-based, etc.).
3. Read reviews and get recommendations from other families
If you belong to a support group, their word-of-mouth recommendations can be a credible source. You can explore options online as well and read reviews and testimonials from previous or past clients. Hear about the experiences of other parents, do your due diligence, and assess your options with your child’s needs in mind.
4. Schedule a consultation or trial session
If you want to really get the feel of the ABA provider’s approach, you can book a free consultation or a trial session if they offer one. This is also your chance to ask your questions or express your concerns.
Some of the main questions you should be asking an ABA provider include:
- What are the certifications and qualifications of your therapists?
- How much experience do they have in providing ABA therapy?
- What are your specific ABA therapy methodologies?
- How do you tailor your sessions to match my child’s needs?
- How do you determine the treatment goals or objectives?
- What does a therapy session look like?
- How often will I receive therapy updates?
- How involved am I in the process? And what parent training resources are available?
- How much is the cost of your ABA therapy plan and which insurance options are covered?
- How do you monitor and ensure progress?
5. Consider all the red flags
While it’s crucial to know how to find the best fit, it’s equally important to recognize the red flags to watch out for. Besides trusting your instinct, make sure to consider the following warning signs when exploring ABA therapy options in your area:
- One-size-fits-all approach– If the ABA therapy provider is using a cookie-cutter approach in their therapy and not personalizing the treatment plans to cater to each child’s unique needs, that’s a sign of a rigid approach that may only fail to address the specific developmental needs of your child.
- No data documentation– Without proper documentation, it becomes impossible to gauge whether or not the therapy has been effective. ABA therapy is supposed to heavily rely on data to track progress over time, and if the ABA provider does not have an established process in place, that might prevent your child from reaching their full potential.
- Overemphasis on billing– Upon scheduling a consultation, if the provider is focusing excessively on the contracts and fees instead of discussing your child’s needs and progress, it raises the question about their commitment to the therapeutic approach and your child’s welfare. While it’s important to be transparent about the costs and payment structures, the conversation should not be constantly brought back to billing, and there should be a solid discussion about the personalized therapy plan.
- Limited qualifications– First of all, an ABA therapy provider should have BCBAs who will oversee the therapy plans, and their behavior technicians should also have proper credentials or training to implement the intervention strategies.
- Poor Staffing Ratio: Besides qualifications, the staffing ratio matters as well. Ideally, there should be 1 BCBA for every 6-10 clients. If the provider is specializing in more complex conditions, a lower ratio is even better like 1:3 or 1:4. Make sure to inquire about their staffing ratios to make sure you’re getting personalized attention and quality care.
- Lack of collaboration and parent involvement– A good ABA therapy center offers parent training services or supports parents throughout the ABA therapy process. This not only promotes better generalization of skill but also ensures a more comprehensive and meaningful engagement. Good ABA providers also collaborate with other professionals like educators, speech therapists, or occupational therapists which can further improve the effectiveness of the treatment plan.
While seeking intervention is a time-sensitive matter, you shouldn’t choose an ABA therapy provider haphazardly either. Take your time, do your research, and maximize free consultations or even trial sessions to explore the best options for your child.
Get in Touch With Bright Bridge ABA for Personalized Support!
If you’re looking for evidence-based ABA therapy services in North Carolina, Bright Bridge ABA can help your child achieve meaningful progress. Our approach is both comprehensive and individualized, and we are equipped with the best tools, strategies, and experts to empower every child and every family.
Schedule a FREE consultation today to learn more about how we can foster your child’s progress and development!