What to expect from my Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provider
Good ABA practices:
Initial assessments and reassessments
Development of a treatment plan
One-on-one ABA services
Training of immediate family members on ABA
Modifications based on the progress of treatment plan goals, outcome measures and parent engagement
Red flags:
Using punishment (such as yelling at or hitting your child)
Offering general treatment recommendations without a personalized assessment
Lack of data showing progress
Lack of maintenance and generalization
If you are concerned that your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) may have violated one or more of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB) ethics requirements, you can report your issue of concern to the BACB's Ethics Department.
Exclusions
ABA services for any other diagnoses other than Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ABA services are not covered for symptoms and/or behaviors that are not part of the core symptoms of ASD (i.e., impulsivity due to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), reading difficulties due to learning disability, excessive worry due to anxiety disorder, etc.)
Educational/academic and vocational goals
ABA services are not authorized in the school setting as a shadow, aid or support to the beneficiary
ABA services in the school setting are limited to the role of the BCBA who is targeting a specific behavior excess or deficit and is for a limited duration
Any ABA services requested for the school setting must be specifically pre-authorized in the treatment plan for use in the school setting
Billing for school tuition
Rendering or billing for any two ABA providers at the same time
Rendering or billing for custodial care, personal care and/or child care
Billing for ABA services while the beneficiary is at another medical appointment to include another family member’s appointment
ABA goals targeting Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (principles of ABA such as chaining, schedules of reinforcement, task analysis may be taught during parent training sessions)
Billing of direct and indirect supervision of staff
Rendering or billing of any interventions considered psychotherapy to include cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, prolonged exposure, group psychotherapy