If you are looking for your first Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) provider, know this: your first choice might not be your last—and that is completely normal.
Over the years, we switched ABA providers multiple times. Sometimes it was due to insurance changes, scheduling conflicts, or staffing shortages. Other times, the therapist and our son simply did not click.
Finding the right fit took time, but the journey taught us what to look for—and what to walk away from.
ABA Basics
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) uses positive rewards and observation to help autistic children build life skills like communication, play, and self-care.
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.
Lessons from Switching Providers
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 the therapist to leave. Our son cried on his last day, and so did my wife. We learned that even when everything goes right, changes happen. It is not a failure; it is just part of the process.
2. Trust your gut when something feels off.
We have cameras in our home so we can check on sessions. Through the footage, we saw one RBT giving our son busywork while staying on his phone. Our son even told us the therapist felt "weird." They had no connection, so we made a change.
3. Clear communication is non-negotiable.
One therapist had a language barrier so strong that even the BCBA struggled to understand him. Since speech and social connection were primary goals for our son, it was not the right match.
4. True partnership works both ways.
Our previous agency expected us to give advance notice for everything—even sick days, which you can't plan—yet gave us zero notice on their end. One Friday they told us, by the way, your RBT changes to someone new starting Monday. Our current provider communicates every update early, respects our family's schedule, and keeps therapy engaging rather than exhausting.
The Bottom Line
Our son has a fantastic team now. They learn, laugh, and make real progress together.
I am not naming our current agency because ABA quality comes down to the individual team you get. The same agency can offer two completely different experiences depending on the staff assigned to your home. Finding the right fit takes a mix of research, patience, and trusting your intuition as a parent.