What to Consider When You're Choosing an ABA Therapist
Did you know that 1 in 44 children in the US gets diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Most children who get diagnosed with autism are usually diagnosed after the age of 4, although some symptoms show up by their second birthdays.
Raising an autistic child isn’t the easiest thing on earth, especially if you’re a first-time parent. The good news is that there’s help for autistic children. Regular ABA therapy and intervention treatments can help reduce autistic symptoms.
The country has no shortage of ABA therapists, and a simple Google search will expose you to dozens ready to attend to your child. However, with so many options, picking the right one becomes a huge challenge. If this describes your predicament, we’re here to help.
In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting a few factors you need to consider when picking an ABA therapist.
Their Professional and Academic Background
The last thing you want to do is leave your child in the hands of an unqualified ABA provider. In fact, taking that route might do more harm than good. That’s why the first thing to inquire about when looking for a provider is the professional and academic qualifications of their treatment teams.
All ABA providers ideally have bachelor’s degrees in psychology or any field related to ABA. Some providers might have master's or Ph.D. degrees in an ABA-related field, which is a bonus. Check for these academic qualifications first before proceeding with the therapy.
You also want to check whether the therapists hold a certificate from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or BACB.
All ABA providers should have this certification or another equivalent certification to indicate their ability to practice ABA therapy. Ask to see the certificate to confirm whether it’s expired or still valid or do a search on the BACB website.
If the ABA provider you have in mind is missing a bachelor’s degree or BACB certification, you’re better off with the next one. Hiring an unqualified ABA provider is a waste of time.
Check for an RBT Certificate
Recently, the BACB came up with the Registered Behavior Technician certificate. Although it’s not a requirement for ABA therapists, it’s a great bonus. An RBT certificate shows the therapist’s commitment to delivering stellar behavioral analysis services.
If you’re lucky enough to find a therapist with one, don’t hesitate to go for it. However, this shouldn't be a mandatory requirement when picking an ABA provider.
Their Experience
You can never go wrong with an ABA provider that boasts a rich history of treating kids with ASD. The more experienced an ABA provider is, the better the therapy sessions are likely to be. As such, you want to ask about the therapist's experience before making your final decision.
It’s worth noting that experience in this case doesn’t only mean the number of years serving as an ABA provider. It also means how many patients the ABA therapist has worked with before and what training they have received. This gives a better picture of how much experience the therapist has.
As a rule of thumb, look for an ABA provider with at least three years of experience. However, weigh all the other factors before you dismiss any therapist with less than three years of experience.
Their Personality
The therapist’s personality plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of the therapy sessions. You need to feel at ease with the therapist from the get-go. If you’re uncomfortable with the therapist, you can only imagine how your child will feel.
Speak to the therapist a few times and assess their character and personality. You need to establish a strong bond with the therapist, given that you’ll spend a lot of time with them. Doing so will also help instill confidence in the entire process leading to better results.
The therapist must be great with children and appear cheerful and fun. They should also be talkative to engage with the child effectively. Lastly, you want a patient-therapist because some sessions can last for several hours.
Ensure you analyze the ABA provider’s personality before settling on one. Anyone that seems angry, boring, or unpleasant isn’t worth your time or money.
Their Proposed Treatment Plan
Take note of the type of treatment plan the therapist proposes for your child. You want a therapist that can create a tailor-made and more personalized treatment plan for your child. Steer clear of providers who adopt a cookie-cutter approach to ABA therapy.
The treatment should also be problem-centric and try to determine the root cause of the child’s behavioral issues. It should also be structured and systematic, with a clear goal to achieve.
How They Incorporate Parents in the Process
Effective ABA therapy is a combined effort between the parents and the ABA therapist. The ABA provider should clearly outline what role parents play in the treatment process. The parents’ role varies with every ABA therapy approach the therapist adopts.
Inquire about what feedback you should expect from every session. Also, ask how you can incorporate any ABA techniques into the child’s daily routine. Lastly, inquire about how you can gauge the child’s progress.
You want a therapist who proposes a proactive role for parents in the treatment process. Naturally, parents want to be as involved in the treatment process as possible. Therapists that try to detach you from the process are a definite no-no.
How They Utilize Data
Data plays a central role in most ABA therapy treatments. Therapists use this data to track progress and adjust their treatment plans accordingly. Ask the therapist how they normally utilize data in their treatment process.
The therapist should show you a few cases where they used figures and data to supplement treatment. Let them take you through their data collection process and how they make inferences. This should help you establish whether your child is in the right hands.
Picking an ABA Therapist Made Easy
The information above should make picking an ABA therapist for your child a breeze. Ensure you find one that checks all the boxes for the best results.
Here at Coachella Valley Lighthouse, we pride ourselves on delivering world-class ABA therapy for kids of all ages. Contact us today and let’s get started on your child’s treatment plan.
