With an increasing number of individuals being diagnosed with developmental delays, the demand for ABA therapy has risen, too. Applied Behavior Analysis is a well-supported strategy to assist individuals with behavioral challenges. It has been an increasingly beneficial approach with traces of success.
From physical to economic, there are many barriers that parents or caregivers have to face in finding ABA therapy solutions. In this post, let us walk you through the common challenges you might be facing and the best ways to deal with them.
Financial Barriers
Applied Behavior Analysis offers a promising opportunity for individuals with developmental delays like autism. However, the initial challenge is the high cost of the therapy. In addition to the cost per hour for the therapy, resources like transportation and add-on help outside the family need attention. Many studies show that individuals with more secure households are more likely to receive ABA therapy. Parents or caregivers with a full-time or part-time job or those who were unemployed or homemakers had better access to ABA.
Both private insurance and Medicaid plans provide coverage for ABA. Yet, there are notions that individuals with Medicaid plans have to face longer waiting to access the therapy. The lower rates of reimbursements can result in another hindrance here.
Finding Qualified Professionals
It’s true that the USA has thousands of Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBAs); there were 68,000 in 2024 only. There was an increase of 10% in 2023 from 2022. However, there is also a rising demand for qualified behavior analysts after the increased prevalence of autism. Besides, being a BCBA is a highly demanding job with several prerequisites for qualification.
As a parent or caregiver, you can play a role in finding reliable and qualified professionals for the child’s ABA program. One way to do this is to navigate the directory of the Behavior Analysts Certification Board. Seeking advice from the child’s healthcare providers and consulting nearby support groups can help. Additionally, you can always verify the qualifications of Behavioral Analysis before finalizing a therapy center for ABA. At BehaviorSpan, we have a team of certified behavioral analysts and RBTs to deliver top-notch therapy. You can reach us for ABA therapy in Denver, Colorado, and be confident about leaving your children in the right hands for early intervention.
Quality of Care
The demand for Applied Behavior Analysis has been on the rise. This brings our attention to the quality of care in the service industry. According to a study published in 2021, the industry faces three common problems. The first one is the unspecified delivery quality of ABA research. Second, the professional organizations cannot control the contingencies. Let us not ignore that organizations offering ABA therapy services can define how their services stand out from other centers.
The quality of care is paramount for Applied Behavior Analysis, and as a parent or caregiver, you can take control of that. Your search needs collaborative research requiring attention from medical practitioners, support groups, and yourself. You need parameters to define the quality measure for the process and outcome of behavior therapy.
Geographical Limitations
We couldn’t be more fortunate about the booming technology and every possible way it uplifts our lives. However, for certain aspects, such as center-based applied behavior analysis, there is often a need for the physical presence of registered professionals. In several rural regions, it might be hard to find qualified and certified behavior analysts and therapists. This can result in longer travel hours to access the services, resulting in more travel time and increased financial burden. Besides, remote locations can face barriers sustaining behavioral analysts.
Similarly, there can be an issue of cultural and linguistic differences that come in the way of catering to extensive care receivers. In situations like these, parent training programs can come in handy in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children at their homes. Focusing on support networks can also help here.
Awareness Limitations
The quote ‘little knowledge is dangerous’ fits right here to describe a common reason why many individuals are deprived of ABA therapy. Often, parents or caregivers fail to provide the child with early intervention therapy for autism and other disorders. It could be because they might be unaware of the possible outcomes. A relationship between knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment plans was found in research evidence by Zuckerman et al. (2015).
Similarly, another research showed that families from lower social backgrounds were less aware of possible alternative and treatment options. The other aspect to consider here is the absence of the right viewpoint on Applied Behavior Analysis. The lack of appropriate information can make it hard for parents to implement the relevant strategies in a child’s home environment.
How To Deal With The Challenges of ABA Therapy?
By now, we have learned about the possible issues hindering access to Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for many. Let’s focus on possible way-outs to challenges parents/caregivers can consider to cater to a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I. Starting with financial strain, parents and caregivers must thoroughly analyze the insurance options. The geographical limitations can be looked into by seeking temporary accommodation in the adjoining localities. It is equally important to indulge in parent training sessions to create and support a nurturing environment for the child at home. Maintaining consistency in Applied Behavior Analysis therapy is also essential.
II. Next comes the need to seek qualified behavioral analysts for therapy and support. Parents and caregivers must research and ask for the credentials of behavioral analysts and therapists. Some criteria to look for are the procedures followed with ABA therapy solutions. These must include regular data collection to upgrade the therapy relevantly. Ensuring quality of care can also require an active role in interacting with the child’s behavior analysts.
III. The need for awareness remains to be the prime one. While learning the early signs of autism is essential, it is also important to focus on the role of access to the relevant information. For this, parents and caregivers must count on reliable sources of information. From thorough research to consultation with pediatricians, it’s essential to find relevant sources accordingly.
Applied Behavior Analysis with BehaviorSpan
BehaviorSpan provides Denver with ABA therapy that aims to accompany every child in their journey of behavior management. We offer center-based learning and team up with parents through training programs to provide a nurturing environment for a child to thrive. We are a center for early intervention to help children with development delays find the direction to a promising and independent tomorrow.
We have teamed up with several insurance providers to help facilitate ABA therapy for children in our center. You can check our website to learn about the insurance our center accepts. The registered behavior technicians deliver individualized care. We regularly track a child’s progress and revise our tailored teaching strategies accordingly. We ensure delivering quality care with strategically planned learning space to deliver positive reinforcements.
For us, ABA works by understanding the behavior, using proven methods, and realizing how the environment works. Reach us to learn more about the workings of ABA and how well we can implement the relevant strategies for your child’s growth and development.
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