Frequently Asked Questions

An ABA session will be run by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The RBT will use reinforcement to teach your child skills and work to reduce behaviors. At Connect, we believe in the motto “work hard, play hard.” Expect to hear a lot of “First work, then play” during a session.

ABA is an intensive service. ABA services typically involve 15-35 hours of direct service per week. Sessions are usually 5 days a week, but we understand that there are other priorities too. We will try to develop a schedule that works for you!

ABA is a long-term service, but we begin with the end in mind. ABA is always working to teach families and caregivers ABA skills so they feel confident using what they’ve learned independently. Generally, ABA can last anywhere from 6 months to multiple years.

If your child has ASD or a related diagnosis, you may want to consider ABA. If your child is struggling to learn important skills or has intense behaviors that impact their life, ABA may be a good option.

All BCBAs are at least Master’s level clinicians, but not all BCBAs or agencies are created equal. Here are some things to ask when researching an ABA agency:

• What type of assessments are implemented?
  At Connect, we believe that direct assessments are powerful. They keep your child in a place where they are constantly challenged and learning. Most insurances require a Vineland-3, but this cannot be the only assessment used to develop a treatment plan. We believe that direct assessments are necessary for great ABA. Some assessments you may see: PEAK, VB-MAPP, ABLLS, and AFLS.
• Will you run group sessions?
  Connect believes that all sessions should be run with a 1:1 staff-to-client ratio. ABA cannot be effectively delivered when an RBT is managing multiple clients. RBTs need to focus on goals, collect data, and ensure safety.
• How much supervision will the child’s staff receive?
  BCBAs write the plans and supervise, but your RBTs are the heart and soul of ABA. They are doing the hard work. As such, they need high-quality training and supervision. RBTs should be supervised for 10%-20% of the hours they are working. If your child has 20 hours of ABA per week, you should expect to see your BCBA 2-4 hours per week.

Day-to-day progress will be measured when your child’s BCBA analyzes data. Observable progress may come as small gains that add up, such as using new words, applying learned skills in different situations, or displaying shorter, less intense behaviors.

There are many advanced interventions in ABA. At Connect, we believe in mastering the basics first. We use reinforcement to change behavior and also adjust antecedents (what happens before behaviors) and consequences (what happens after behaviors) to create behavior change. Using reinforcement creates a fun, engaging environment for your child to learn.

Talk to your BCBA at Connect, and they will work to find connections and support that fit your needs.

ABA can be costly. If you’re using private insurance, you’ll want to know your out-of-pocket maximum. Our Client Services team will make sure you know payment details prior to starting services. If you’re using Medicaid, our Client Services team will ensure you know the payment details, which will likely be $0 out of pocket.

The authorization team at Connect will work with your insurance provider to ensure your coverage is in place. Our team will also communicate with doctors as needed to ensure a current diagnosis for services. The authorization team will coordinate with providers during intake, and your BCBA will work to create a treatment plan.

If you’re thinking about ABA but want to learn more, call Connect’s Client Services team at 864-686-6518 or email [email protected]. We will gladly discuss our intake process and answer any additional questions, free of charge. We have a team that loves talking, promoting, and teaching about ABA.