What To Ask When Choosing An ABA Therapist

If you’re ready to start exploring the world of ABA therapy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the beginning. There are a lot of options to choose from, and as a parent we know you want to find the best option for your child.

As with any professional, not all ABA providers are created equal. It’s important to make sure your goals and values align, finding a provider that will listen, work with your child’s unique circumstances, and who genuinely cares about your child. To feel better prepared for your search, we’ve come up with some important questions to ask when considering an ABA therapist.

1. What Experience Do You Have With Children Like Mine?

Autism presents itself in a variety of different ways, unique to each person. It’s important to ask potential ABA providers if they have experience working with children who share your child’s specific needs. This may include nonverbal communication, co-occurring diagnoses, certain sensory sensitivities and more. Not having that experience doesn’t mean it’s a dealbreaker, but it definitely helps to know what their experience is or how they would approach your specific situation.

2. How Do You Create ABA Therapy Goals?

As every person is unique, so will be their goals. A good ABA provider will plan to create individualized goals based on thorough assessments, family input and collaboration if needed with other care providers. Ask questions about how goals are created, how often they are updated, and what part you as a parent or caregiver will play in determining what skills or goals are prioritized.

3. What Does Parent Involvement Look Like?

At Bloom, we believe families are a vital part of the ABA process, but not every provider feels the same. Be sure to ask how parents and other caregivers are included in planning, progress and overall day-to-day strategies. Confirm if they offer parent training, if you’ll be taught how to use ABA techniques outside of sessions and if you are welcome to observe sessions or receive updates.

4. How Is Your Team Structured?

Most ABA programs involve multiple professionals, including:

-BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts): They create and oversee treatment plans

-RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians): They work one-on-one with your child, implementing treatment plans under the guidance of the BCBA.

Confirm how often the BCBA will be involved in sessions, how supervision works and what communication will look like between the ABA team and families.

5. Where Do Sessions Take Place?

Different ABA providers offer different things. Some only offer center-based therapy, where you take your child to the same location each time for their sessions. Others offer services in homes, schools or other community settings - this is how Bloom operates. Think about what environment you believe works best for both your child and your overall family schedule and dynamic. Make sure they offer what you’re looking for, have availability in your area and determine what their scheduling process is like.

6. How Do You Handle Challenging Behaviors?

Children with autism - especially those embarking on a new journey with new people and environments - are prone to challenging behavior at times. This should be expected, especially by a practicing ABA therapist, but it’s still very important to ask how the provider handles meltdowns, aggression, self-injury, elopement or other behaviors. The right ABA provider will offer compassionate, proactive strategies instead of punishment-based approaches. Confirm they are able to prioritize emotional regulation over surface-level compliance - these methods not only set the tone for sessions, but for how situations may be handled in the real world.

7. How Is Progress Measured?

ABA is a data-driven therapy, with information gathered helping inform successes and show where the strategy may need to be altered. Find out how data is collected, how progress will be shared, and what it looks like if your child is struggling to meet their goals. It’s imperative for a provider to be able to see the entire child and not just the data - and then to translate that to the family in a clear and concise way.

8. What Does Your Intake & Insurance Process Look Like?

Beyond the interaction with your child and yourself, there are of course logistical concerns as well. Ask upfront about waitlist times, what assessments may be needed, what insurance is accepted, how scheduling works and what their cancellation policies are. Knowing all of this information at the start is crucial to avoiding frustration or confusion down the road.

Bloom Behavioral Therapy Offers Supportive Personalized ABA Therapy

When it comes to ABA therapy for your child, credentials matter - but that’s just the surface. The best success will come from finding a team that actually sees your child, listens to your concerns, and is willing to work alongside your family every step of the way.

At Bloom Behavioral Healthcare, we believe ABA should feel supportive, personal and centered around your child’s unique needs. We’re happy to answer any of the questions above - and any other question you may have - whenever you’re ready. We want you to feel confident, aware and fully supported on your journey.

Contact us today to learn more about ABA therapy with Bloom or to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help your child - and family - thrive!