Choosing an Applied Behavior Analysis therapy provider is a very important decision. Much like deciding on childcare, a doctor, or school, this decision can impact the life of your child in some long-lasting ways. At The Place for Children with Autism, we’ve been clear on the level of service parents can and should expect from their ABA providers.
The provider you choose will safeguard your family’s most treasured asset: your child. Parents should always ask themselves if they trust the provider as a key partner in your child’s continued development. As an extension of our commitment to ensuring children on the spectrum have the best available resources, we’ve put together a list of 10 important things to expect from an ABA provider before making this crucial decision.
Parents should ensure ABA providers:
- Place emphasis on quality results
- ABA providers should be data-driven and rooted in proven autism research for maximum efficiency. Goals set for your child should be individualized, measurable, and attainable.
- Offer services in a school-like setting
- Center-based ABA therapy has several benefits to consider over in-home treatment. A school-like setting provides structure and a safe space for both one-on-one therapy and an opportunity to practice socialization in group activities.
- Guarantee a consistent, full-day schedule of one-to-one therapy
- ABA therapy needs to be intensive to be effective, which means consistent chunks of time should be dedicated to your child’s development on a daily basis.
Interested in ABA therapy for your child? Request a free enrollment info kit:
- Structure days around socialization and social activities
- While the individual goal-setting is extremely important, so is the added benefit of being able to learn socialization in a structured environment.
- Focus on school readiness skills
- Goals set with your ABA therapy provider should focus on all aspects of your children’s lives, especially their academic success.
- Require therapists to become Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT)
- An ABA therapy provider is only as good as the skilled professionals it employs. Be sure to get to know the qualifications required to administer ABA therapy ethically and effectively.
- Require on-site Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) support
- A BCBA is the gold standard to indicate that a person is qualified to oversee a program in behavior analysis. BCBAs supervise RBTs while abiding by a strict code of ethics that guides their every move.
- Provide daily music, dance, art, and sensory activities
- A provider that emphasizes holistic education and treatment knows how important it is to provide creative outlets for your child to learn healthy expression.
- Ensure low staff turnover and fosters a sense of community
- If a provider can ensure that your child is receiving consistent care from a solid team and network of support, the ABA therapy will be more effective and the experience more positive for everyone involved.
- Have a systematic transition plan for school
- ABA therapy should help your child integrate into their school and be successful amongst their neurotypical peers with clearly defined goals and a set plan.
ABA therapy providers should address all of these questions and any others you have to ensure your child is in the right hands.
If you are looking for a reputable ABA therapy provider, The Place was recently named a top 50 healthcare provider in the United States by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare. We are always looking to offer our support to communities that need it most. For a full list of centers, visit our location page.
For more ABA and autism-related news and tips visit our blog and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter! If you have any more questions regarding ABA therapy services don’t hesitate to reach out to us on our contact page. We’re always here to answer your questions and support your family’s needs as best as we can.
In a recent survey conducted with families receiving services at The Place, 100% of families indicate feeling safe based on our COVID mitigation procedures. Read about what we’re doing to keep our families safe here.
