Searching for an ABA Provider

Selecting the right therapy provider for your family is a big decision, especially in light of how much time this person will spend working with your child. ABA therapy is intensive—up to 40 hours a week intensive—and, in many cases, therapy is done in the home. This is all the more reason to be choosy when seeking out the perfect ABA therapist.

There are a few different kinds of degrees and certificates awarded to therapists who are qualified to administer ABA therapy, the highest being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A BCBA will have a Master’s or Doctorate as well as board certification, as the title suggests. You can be certain that a BCBA will have specific ABA knowledge and training, making this level of certification the most qualified to practice ABA therapy.

Another type of certification is the Certified Autism Specialist (CAS). The CAS must hold a Master’s degree and stay abreast of current autism research. If you cannot secure a BCBA or a CAS, consider a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). The RBT is a relatively new type of credential which requires the supervision of a BCBA. In a way, this supervision allows your child to have a highly-qualified expert involved in their care, at least by proxy. At minimum, ensure that your potential therapist has an Autism Certificate (AC), which is not necessarily accompanied by a college level degree.

As you are settling on a provider—whether a company or individual—you may want to inquire about some of the following topics:

●    Parental input: How involved will you be in the creation of the treatment plan? Would they be open to you contesting a treatment plan if need be?

●    Parental supervision: Are you welcome to observe therapy sessions? How often? Would the company supply a video-recording of the session if observations would be a disruption to the process?

●    Documentation: In what ways will your child’s progress be measured and monitored? Can you look at sample reports in order to begin to understand how their documentation works?

In addition to the above, don’t neglect to conduct a background check or ensure the company you go with runs background checks on their employees. Vetting prospective therapists may be time-consuming and, like many parts of being the parent of a child with autism, a little overwhelming. Just know that you are setting your child up for success by pursuing a qualified therapist who is willing to work alongside you. 

Positive Reinforcement not only offers in home ABA therapy for North Virginia, West Virginia including cities like Ashburn, Leesburg, Winchester, Richmond, Centerville.