Through our home security cameras, we watched an RBT sit on his phone while handing our son busywork worksheets. When the session ended, our son walked up to us and said flatly that the therapist felt "weird." There was zero connection, so we made a change immediately.
When we started looking for our first Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provider, we thought it would be a one-time decision. Over the years, however, we switched agencies multiple times — sometimes due to insurance shifts or staffing shortages, and other times because the therapist simply wasn't the right fit.
ABA Basics
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) creates a personalized treatment plan, and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) deliver the day-to-day therapy. In our case, all of this happened right at home.
We keep cameras in our home's common areas so we can quietly observe sessions without interrupting our son's focus. Here is what we learned along the way:
1. A Good Fit Can Still End Unexpectedly
Our son deeply bonded with one of his early RBTs, and we saw incredible progress. But internal company issues forced her to leave. Our son cried on her last day, and so did my wife. We learned that even when everything goes right, sudden changes happen. It isn't a failure — it's just part of the system.
2. Clear Communication is Non-Negotiable
One therapist had a language barrier so severe that even the BCBA struggled to coordinate with him. Since speech and social connection were his primary goals, it wasn't the right match.
3. True Partnership Works Both Ways
Our previous agency expected us to give advance notice for everything — even unplanned sick days — yet gave us zero notice on their end, swapping out his main therapist over a single weekend. Our current provider communicates every update early, respects our family's schedule, and keeps therapy engaging rather than exhausting.
The Bottom Line
I don't name specific agencies because ABA quality comes down to the individual team assigned to your home — the same company can offer two completely different experiences depending on the staff.
Rather than focusing on agency brand names, start building your own list of screening questions based on what your family values most — whether that's scheduling flexibility, communication style, or clinical approach.
Here are three core questions to help kick-start your initial intake calls:
"What is your protocol for transitioning to a new therapist when an RBT leaves?" (Screens for communication transparency during staffing changes.)
"How do you match therapist personalities with a child's specific sensory and emotional profile?" (Ensures individualized care rather than just filling an open slot.)
"What are your policies on parent observation, home boundaries, and feedback during sessions?" (Ensures they welcome parent presence and respect your household rules.)
Every family has different non-negotiables, so don't hesitate to add your own requirements to the list. Finding the right fit takes patience, but trusting your intuition as a parent is what ultimately gets your child the team that's right for them.