Questions Every Parent Should Ask When Searching for the Best ABA Agency for Their Family
As parents, we all have dreams of what life will look like once our children are born. We may envision the laughs, hearing our name called for the first time, playing games together, watching them grow and make friends of their own. But when a parent receives a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or another cognitive disability, that dream may no longer feel attainable because of how ASD is portrayed in society.
Amongst all the uncertainty, confusion, fear, and adjustment to what you once envisioned, there is a wonderful therapy that may utilize the strengths of your child to build upon their areas of need. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a research and science-based practice that assists individuals of all ages and capabilities to become their best selves.
If you are reading this, you likely already know what ABA therapy is. Maybe you have recently received a diagnosis for your child, or you are looking for ways to help someone you care about. Either way, it is very important to make sure the agency you bring into your family’s lives is one that practices ethical ABA therapy.
Here are some important questions to ask when you are interviewing potential agencies:
What does the turn-over look like for therapists? The turn-over rate, in general, can be high for agencies providing in-home ABA therapy services. This is still an important question to ask so that you can have a better understanding of how frequently your child’s therapist may change. We take a multi-prong approach to recruit the best ABA therapists in our area. Should your child’s therapist leave our agency, we will search expeditiously to find another passionate, energetic, and competent therapist.
What does the agency do to prevent burn out for their therapists? Therapists dedicate their hearts and lives to ABA. Many therapists are providing services, attending school for further certification within the field, and also striving to provide for their families. It is important for agencies to look out for their therapists’ mental health so that they can continue to provide the best services possible. Signature ABA strives to provide a space for each therapist to stay connected to their values which often serve as a reminder of why they love the work we do every day. We also encourage the use of mindfulness and employing a good work-life balance.
If my child is engaging in unsafe or unwanted behavior, does the company allow therapists to perform holds or use corporal punishment tactics? When practicing ethical ABA therapy, there really is no time that a client should need to be placed in a hold. Holds can be very overstimulating to a client and can potentially cause harm to the client and/or the therapist if not completed properly. Signature ABA does not authorize any therapist to place a client in a hold or use corporal punishment tactics, for any reason.
How many therapists will be working with my child on a regular basis? If your child is receiving more than 20 hours per week of ABA therapy services, it is likely that they will have more than one therapist. Aligning client and therapist schedules can be very difficult at times, but agencies should strive to maintain consistency with your care. At Signature ABA we aim for generalization of skills. Therefore, your child may work with a minimum of 2 therapists, depending on your child’s medically approved treatment hours.
How is the agency handling COVID-19 restrictions and protection? The current pandemic can be very scary for anyone. We all want to remain healthy while also providing ABA therapy services. It is the responsibility of the agency to provide proper protective materials for therapists. Signature ABA provides masks, gloves, face shields, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies for all of our therapists.
Does the agency provide parent groups or parent training? Having a child with special needs can feel very isolating. It can be difficult for parents to have someone they can talk to that truly understands what they are going through. Providing parent groups within the agency clientele is a great way for parents to know they are not alone. Parent training is a great tool for parents to have a better understanding of how to help their child succeed. Parent training is completed by the supervising BCBA and is an opportunity for parents to discuss their desires and concerns. Every family is offered 1-2 hours of parent training per week at Signature ABA. During our parent sessions, parents have an opportunity to address therapy needs and are provided guidance to continue using therapy skills even when our therapists and BCBAs are not present in the home.
These are just a few of the questions a guardian should ask when interviewing potential ABA therapy agencies. Although you may feel the need to get your child services immediately, it is useful to interview a couple of agencies to find the right fit for your child and family needs.
About the author:
Brittany Turner is a mom and an animal lover. She is a Registered Behavior Technician and serves as the Clinical Assistant for Signature ABA. She has 7 years of experience in providing ABA therapy to children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, among other diagnoses, in clinic, school, and home settings. She is currently attending classes and fulfilling the 5th edition task list to become a BCaBA.