What Should Parents Look for in an ABA Center for Their Child?

I spent three weeks touring by car, waiting in patient spaces and administration offices across several countries, listening to site directors describe their space and philosophy. Everyone seemed more sophisticated and together than I do. After three weeks, I am losing my sense of the important questions I need to be asking.

This was a bit of a difficult selection but nothing else seemed to fit the bill.

Finding the right ABA center for your child is a serious parenting decision and one that many parents take very seriously. ABA centers promise to change your child’s life for the better. Some programs are better at that promise than others. Much of ABA was originally developed to help older children with autism reach independence. As a result, there are many programs designed for children who are several years older than most neurodiverse kids are when they are trying to navigate typical aspects of childhood.

Staff Qualifications Matter More Than Marketing

Also important is that any treatment plan be overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This is a crucial aspect of the treatment, but it is equally as important to consider not only the BACB certified worker’s credentials, but also their experience working with children similar to your child. A newly certified (and thus very inexpensive) BACB certified but inexperienced autism worker may be far less effective than an more experienced autism worker who has to pay higher salaries for their extensive BACB certified autism experience and training.

Look at staff turnover statistics. If turnover is high it usually indicates a systemic problem (poor management, low pay, unsustainable caseloads, etc). Therapy centers with a well supported and sustained workforce, made up of long-term therapists is ideal. Remember your child will be forming the most critical relationships with the people they spend the most time with, namely the direct-care staff (teachers/providers etc). Staff such as these and not the BCBAs will be teaching and facilitating the most critical skills for you child. Therefore, you should be asking some hard questions about the education, experience, support, and quality of your child’s caregivers.

Some centers match children with therapists on a basis of their needs, while other centers go a step further and match the child with a therapist based on the child’s unique personality. My daughter does not do well with gentle therapists, she requires energetic and entertaining! Others require quiet and gentle therapists.

Treatment Philosophy and Individualization

Beyond Cookie-cutter Programs

A good ABA program is a children-oriented, not program-oriented program. When you read through the evaluation report, look for language about how the program will be tailored to YOUR child and YOUR family. General language about an “individualized program for your child” can have very little meaning.

We consult closely with parents on a child’s personality type.

Assessment should be a top priority when creating a service plan and developing services at a center for young children with disabilities. A comprehensive assessment identifies the deficits of young children with disabilities as well as the strengths, preferences, and learning styles of the child and their family. A program that is based off of assessment data is more likely to be effective than a typical center-based program that offers typical services and approaches to young children with disabilities using a one size fits all delivery model.

Family Involvement and Communication

A good program will incorporate the family into the treatment planning and implementation, not overwhelming parents with tasks that need to be done outside of treatment sessions. Families should feel supported in treatment, not bombarded by it. Further, families should receive regular reports on their child’s ongoing progress, with a blend of specifics and data (including numbers) and general statements about the child’s ongoing development, such as whether the child is meeting goals and progressing. There are many wonderful centers: from small day programs, to autism centers, to special needs schools, like some of the ABA centers in Massachusetts that provide a collaborative and supportive environment for families. Some are great at keeping families informed about the day to day happenings at the center, while others are better at sharing long-term insights into a child’s overall growth and development.

The training of parents and carers to carryover of skills from the NAPA centre is a key component of the project. It is essential that the same procedures and routines are followed at home as in the centre to aid generalisation and maintenance of skills. Previous research has shown that interventions that do not involve family in the programme are less effective as the skills learned in the centre setting do not generalise and are not maintained without parental support.

Environment and Practical Considerations

I think there could be a lot of work done to make the environment more welcoming than clinical. Children spend a good amount of time in the center, harsh fluorescent lighting, bare walls and institutional furniture can make the center feel “sick.” Furthermore, the lighting and environment could increase children’s and families’ sense of anxiety. Incorporating natural lighting, a cozy seating area and decorations for the different age groups could go a long way in creating a more inviting space for children and families.

These precautions are typical at most childcare centers but many parents are not aware of them until there is a problem. Secure entry and exit, teacher to child ratios, and procedures in case of an earthquake, fire, medical emergency, etc. are all in place to protect children who may sometimes roame around the center looking for things to put in their mouths or even attempting to hurt themselves on purpose. We want you to feel comfortable asking us these questions and we can reassure you that we can keep your child safe. However, we must present the information in a way that does not frighten the child in advance.

Another consideration for long-term sustainability is the location of the programs you’re interested in. Some programs may rely heavily on carpool transportation, which can lead to alot of skipped sessions due to the child(s) not being there. Consider the average and extreme drive times during rush hour and inclement weather for Neighborhood Schools.

Making the Final Decision

We look at the data from collections when evaluating program quality, not testimonials or success stories on the centers’ websites. Providing quality BAC programs to centers means we have clearly articulated measurable goals for success, and we share those with families and document students’ progress over time. It is not helpful to a center to be told they are doing a good job of helping students make progress if the collections data does not show acquisition of specific skills and changes in behaviors.

I really recommend going with your first gut feeling about how your child seems to get along with the teachers. I know that you will want to know that your child is receiving quality instruction, and we strive to put together a very competent group of teachers. However, there is also a lot of affection that children bring with them to school. And let’s face it, you will be paying a lot for quality education and care, and your child will be at our school 10 hours a week, so it’s not just a rubric that will tell you all you need to know. We think the little things like how we greet the children, how we calm down a child who is throwing a tantrum, how we involve children in projects, and how we make sure children are challenged academically are some of the most important aspects of our school.

Insurance and payment structures vary widely from program to program. It’s helpful to research these prior to applying. Even the most excellent program can be rendered less desirable by hidden financial structures which can adversely impact family fees unexpectedly. Information on the collection of our fees and methods of dispute resolution are available through the patient financial services.

Centers that embody the Right ABA philosophy are eager to answer your questions, provide you with as much information as you like, and demonstrate a genuine interest in your family’s needs and goals. They do not pressure you into enrolling your child immediately. Taking your time to find the right ABA center will be rewarded tenfold in the quality of programming and services your child receives, as well as the piece of mind that it will bring your family.