In this conversation with Carly Bereznay, an SLP and BCBA, you'll learn 5 tips for what to look for an an ABA clinic. Regardless of our own opinions on ABA as SLPs, many of our students go to ABA clinics. In this episode you'll learn 5 things to look for in an ABA clinic so that you can support families in looking for high quality service and not falling into the trap of "big box ABA clinics."
What to Ask ABA Providers
Tip One: Ask your provider what trainings they’ve had that focus on shared joy, shared connection and child-led activities. Ask your provider if sessions are child led and based on the child’s interests, and if so how that looks.
Tip Two: Ask you provider about any trauma-informed trainings they have attended and how that informs their practice?
Tip Three: Look for clinics with BHCOE Accreditation (Behavioral Health Center of Excellence).
Tip Four: As a practitioner what are examples of people you follow who are Autistic teens or adults who have experienced ABA to hear their perspectives? How has that informed your practice?
Tip Five: For Parents - find a Neurodiverget Parent’s Support Group
Resources
Autism Handouts for Parents (Link)
AAC Handouts for Parents (Link)
Gestalt Language Handouts for Parents (Link)
https://therapistndc.org/aba-therapy-and-ptsd/
Article: Evidence of Increased PTSD Symptoms in Autistics Exposed to Applied Behavioral Analysis (Kupferstein, 2018, published in Advances in Autism, link)
BHCOE Lookup Tool to find ABA Providers: https://www.bhcoe.org/aba-therapy-directory/
Handout I use at my clinic (Canva View-Only Link)