Perhaps you just received an autism diagnosis for your child. Perhaps you are several years into ABA therapy. No matter where you are in your ABA journey, there are steps you can take to ensure that you are getting the most out of your therapy.
Pick the right provider for you and your child
With autism diagnoses and acceptance on the rise, more and more ABA companies are popping up. And while most provide high quality therapy, there are many more factors to consider.
If we’re being honest, sometimes we choose the easiest option instead of the highest quality one. Sure, there may be a center right down the street from you, but is it actually providing you with the services that you need?
Think about it this way. In order for any company to scale to enormous size, compromises have to be made. That’s why big box ABA companies often require 40 hours of therapy a week even if your child doesn’t really need it. We certainly aren’t saying that some children don’t need that much therapy, but for some kiddos, it really is too much.
So do some shopping. Maybe a big box ABA clinic is right for you and your family, and if so, by all means, go for it! But if it isn’t, there are options out there. Make calls, ask friends in the autism community, and pop into clinics if you have time. Anyone can get their center ready for a tour if it is scheduled, but you know a clinic is high quality if what you see at the drop of a hat is good. 
One thing to note if you are touring a clinic is that good ABA therapy might not look like what you expect. A lot of us have a vision of rigor and whisper quiet work, but in reality, high quality ABA can look an awful lot like playing around. Kids need to be kids!
Use your voice
There is a fine line between taking an expert’s advice and losing your voice. Any BCBA worth their salt is putting the child first, but sometimes what they think is best is not the same as what you value. ABA should be a three way conversation between you, your therapists, and your child. It truly is a collaborative effort. If you aren’t getting what you want or need, you have every right to use your voice!
At The Helm, we start our evaluation with one simple question, “If you could change any one thing about your child’s behavior today, right now, what would it be?” We want to know what is important to you, and we do our best to plan accordingly.
That isn’t to say that you should ignore your BCBA! They are experts and know that it might take 18 steps to get from where you are to what you want. Like we said, it’s a conversation. Lean on their expertise, but don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
If it’s not working, change it!
There is no rule that says you have to stick with one ABA provider. If you’ve used your voice, and you just aren’t getting the therapy you want, find someone else. Sure, sometimes insurance makes it challenging, but at the end of the day, you deserve to get the best possible therapy for your family.
Like we said in the beginning, sometimes we choose the easy option because it’s, well, easier. Staying where you are is always easier than doing the work to find something new, but if you aren’t happy and your provider isn’t able to help you, then you need to make the harder choice and start looking again.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your child is receiving the highest quality therapy possible and that you are happy with the progress that you see. Not every provider is a good fit for you and your family, and you deserve to find the right one!
As always, The Helm is here to help! So if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!