Studies have consistently shown that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a treatment approach that works well with anyone, but especially with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This approach helps people with ASD develop skills that are normally difficult for them to develop on their own. A good ABA provider will look at the factors in life that may be undermining success and teach more appropriate ways of responding to those factors.

Many parents and caregivers are tasked with the challenge of finding an ABA therapy provider who is not only highly qualified but is also a good fit for the client and their family. When looking for a provider, there are essential questions that you should ask to ensure you are making an informed decision.

Read on for 11 questions to ask a potential ABA provider.

Question 1: How do you prioritize what we’re going to work on?
The first priority for the work ahead should always be personal. The priority should be given to something that is identified by the child and the whole family as something that is going to be helpful to them. While working through whatever skills have been identified, a good provider is going to use the child’s strengths to help them through their weaknesses. The provider should begin by observing what the child is good at and then help them learn to fill in the gaps.

Question 2: How will you work on skills?
Based on how your child learns, ABA can be done through natural environment training, discrete trial training, or a combination. Your provider may use natural environment training, a method of providing ABA therapy in a ‘real-life’ setting, as opposed to a more formal, clinical setting. Discrete trial training on the other hand is an ABA technique that helps break down skills into smaller components. One by one, each skill will be taught until the whole task can be mastered. The approach that is taken to teach a child skills during ABA therapy is completely individualized as everyone learns differently.

Question 3: How will I work on this from home?
While a clinician will help drive the work, it is essential that parents and guardians work with their child on a consistent basis in between sessions. Providers should be able to provide the family with guidance based on the child’s needs. As it will be individualized, it will look different based on the child’s goals. However, no matter what, the role of caregivers is vital to successful treatment.

Question 4: What will my commitment be outside of treatment?
While this varies depending on your provider, the ultimate goal of ABA treatment is to slowly phase out the treatment provider. That means that parents and caregivers should have the tools to work with their child outside of the treatment session to prepare for the time when they are no longer in treatment.

Question 5: What are the ranges of treatment you would suggest?
Research supports that treatment should require a minimum of 10 hours a week in order to be successful.

In a comprehensive model, the treatment range is usually 20-40 hours a week, not including caregiver work. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BCBA) defines comprehensive treatment as “treatment of the multiple affected developmental domains. . .as well as maladaptive behaviors.” This type of treatment is usually one on one and intensive in nature.

In a focused model, the range is usually 10-20 hours a week. This model is usually used when the child has only a few target behaviors to work on. It is sometimes used as a step-down model as the child phases out of treatment.

Question 6: How long will my child need to be in treatment?
Again, this is completely individualized based on several factors. A provider will set the treatment length based on factors such as:

• The child’s history of treatment
• The child’s skill deficit
• Skills that are already in the child’s repertoire

Treatment usually starts off as intensive as possible but fades out over time as your child gains skills.

Question 7: Do you work with other providers?
It takes a team of many different people to truly treat a child and help them. A good provider will happily collaborate with any related services to work on skill acquisition together. Some providers are willing to collaborate with schools as well.

Question 8: What type of relationship should I expect with my provider?
Because of the nature of ABA therapy, your relationship with your provider needs to be a comfortable one. You need to be able to communicate well about what your child needs. In the end, ABA therapy is always a team effort, and you need to be comfortable and honest with your teammates if treatment is going to be successful.

Question 9: How much does ABA therapy cost?
In the state of Illinois, it is required that individuals with an autism diagnosis are covered by insurance for ABA therapy. As ABA is different from speech and occupational therapy, the number of hours per week devoted to it can range from 10-40 hours. That means costs can mount up quickly. For example, if ABA therapy is covered by insurance, the deductible and out-of-pocket max will need to be met before therapy is covered at 100% for the rest of the policy’s term. Ask providers if they have payment plans available to help navigate your way through the financial piece.

Question 10: How is ABA different from speech and OT or other services my child has?
ABA therapy is different from other services in a couple of ways. First, it’s more frequent. With 10-40 hours of therapy time devoted to ABA, you’ll spend more intensive time with this service. Additionally, parents are expected to have more active participation and carry over in ABA therapy.

Question 11: Can ABA therapy help with social skills?
Under normal circumstances, some ABA providers offer social skills groups to work on social skills with clients. Additionally, they can go out into the community to work on social skills in a real-world setting.

However, with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging, this might look different because of social distancing and limiting exposure to social situations. This may mean that more social skills are taught with siblings or the clinician may need to contrive social opportunities with the client’s goals in mind.

No matter what your child’s goals, finding a good provider who is going to be a good fit with your child and your family is paramount when looking for an ABA provider. Answers to these questions could help you determine if that provider is the one you’ve been looking for.

At GBC Autism Services, we provide ABA therapy to children with autism in the areas of Chicagoland, Peoria, Normal, Rockford, Springfield, Dekalb, and North-West Indiana. Our services include in-home and clinic-based ABA therapy, early intervention services, school consultations, and social skills groups.

The team at GBC doesn’t only focus on the behaviors that might be seen as weaknesses in children with autism. We accept and appreciate each child’s unique abilities and incorporate them into our programming. In fact, we love to learn about each child’s interests and strengths and only look to help them navigate the world better.

Contact our team today for a FREE consultation to discuss your child’s goals and whether we will be a good fit for you and your family.