Choosing a high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) center can be challenging for parents, especially, those who have recently received an Autism diagnosis for their child. The polished images and marketing materials often presented by ABA Centers may not accurately reflect the daily practices and the genuine impact on a child's development. This article seeks to help parents by providing questions to consider during tours of ABA centers. Asking the right questions can provide valuable information to guide parents in making informed decisions that significantly impact their child's growth. Below are five areas to evaluate while talking to an ABA Center representative.
Assessment: The BCBA should allocate enough time to evaluate the child’s skills, preferences, learning styles, and the family’s culture and priorities. This is essential because the assessment results will guide the child’s goals and program development.
Questions for the ABA center
As a parent, will I be involved in the assessment process? How much time will the BCBA allocate to conduct the assessment? How many assessment tools will the BCBA use? Will she meet with me to approve the goals? Does the BCBA consider the family's culture and priorities?
Parent and Caregiver Partnership: The BCBA and the caregivers, together, should decide about the dosage of ABA needed for the child, the goals, and intervention strategies. Not all children benefit from 40 hours of ABA therapy per week. They should consider various factors, including the child’s age, family priorities, culture, and assessment results. The BCBA should coach the caregivers and family members through active involvement with daily activities.
Questions for the ABA center
How much involvement does the parent have when the ABA dosage is decided? Are the parents involved in goal development? Are the parents included in the intervention, maintenance, and generalization of each goal?
Professional collaborations with the physician, OT, PT Speech, etc. The BCBA assists the caregivers in coordinating team meetings to communicate assessment results and share goals to ensure success across all areas.
Question for the ABA center
Will the BCBA collaborate with other professionals based on my child’s needs?
Individualized Programs: Each child has an exclusively designed intervention package based on their needs, family values, and parents’ priorities. The goals target communication, independence, social skills, and creativity always aligning with the family values and priorities.
Questions for the ABA center
Will the BCBA evaluate the learning style of my child? Will the BCBA develop educational material based on my child’s preferences? Will the BCBA create an intervention package that is unique for my child based on their needs?
High-quality therapists: The therapist’s competence to form a bond with the child is extremely important. A good instructor knows how to contrive situations to attract the child to learn through play, especially during the early years. A skilled therapist has instructional control and at the same time can motivate and inspire the child, facilitating communication and growth.
Questions for the ABA center
Will my child have a constant therapist or maybe two therapists? May I have the resumes of the therapists who will work with my child?
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