You want to choose an ABA provider in Pennsylvania, but you don’t know how, and you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. You may not know where to turn, who to trust, or what happens next.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through it all, so you can feel confident and relax into the process, making an informed decision for you and your family.
Start with Fit, Not Hype
You’ll hear about all of the biggest, flashiest, most “popular” ABA clinics in advertisements. But the clinics with big marketing budgets aren’t always the best fit for your child.
It’s particularly important in your early search days to watch for pretty websites that make pretty promises for quick results. Remember, ABA therapy is a process that often takes many years of growth and learning.
The best programs for ABA are the ones that recognize this by focusing on fit, consistency, and collaboration. Here’s a quick checklist of how to choose an ABA provider in Pennsylvania from the get-go, and then we’ll dive into more details:
- When choosing an ABA provider in Pennsylvania, look for individualized goals for each kid. Some programs will take a cookie-cutter approach, which may work for a handful of children. But, because autism is so specific to each child, so too should the therapy be.
- See if they have a data tracking plan that helps you understand how your child is progressing. You’ll be able to measure your child’s growth in various areas over time.
- A genuinely helpful ABA therapy provider in Pennsylvania will bring the parents into the therapeutic process as well. What the child learns in the clinic will have to be transferred to the home. The best way to ensure that is to have the parent and any other caregiver involved.
- Any provider worth your attention should take an ethical and respectful approach to ABA therapy. The goal in ABA is to provide gentle guidance and positive reinforcement based on the child and their needs. No therapist should ever frame the child as a “problem.”
Understand the Team
Before you get started deciding which clinical team is right for your family, it helps to understand who exactly will be on that team. Of course, you’ll work with the administrative staff to get your paperwork filed out and your first appointment scheduled.
Then, once your sessions start, you and your child will work with two primary figures in the provider: the BCBA and the RBT.
Who’s Who on an ABA Team
- BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst): The BCBA is the clinician who designs the specific program for your child and supervises, or oversees, the therapeutic work your child does. They assess your child’s skills, help you set goals for your child, and monitor the progress of each session. You want your BCBA to be actively involved in your kid’s growth and plan rather than simply approving paperwork in the background somewhere.
- RBT (Registered Behavior Technician): Your RBT, in contrast, will be the professional counselor working directly with your child in each and every session. They will form a bond with your kid and follow the treatment plan created by the BCBA. Before taking on the RBT role, they will have undergone extensive training and excelled in competency assessments.
Questions to Ask About the Team
When you meet your team for the first time, come prepared with a list of questions to ask, so you can make sure you’re getting the best. These can include:
- Who supervises my child’s program, and how often?
- How do you train and support technicians?
- What happens if staff changes?
- How involved is the supervisor on a weekly basis?
Your Pennsylvania Reality Check
While all ABA providers are different, most do operate under the same basic premises of positive reinforcement and evidence-based therapy. Still, each region runs things a bit differently, based on both state and cultural regulations and expectations. Understanding the local context will give you a better sense of how to compare the different providers and get what you need.
In Pennsylvania, ABA therapy is often delivered under the state’s Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) framework. Rather than licensing “ABA providers” as a single profession, Pennsylvania regulates agencies and staff based on roles, credentials, and supervision requirements defined in state code.
This means it’s especially important to ask who is supervising your child’s care, how often supervision happens, and how staff are trained and supported.
You may also hear the term IBHS tossed around quite a bit among this or that ABA provider Pennsylvania has to offer. This acronym stands for Intense Behavioral Health Services. Clinics that call themselves IBHS clinics may or may not specialize in ABA. It may simply be one among many services they offer.
When it comes to ABA, you’re going to get the most out of a provider that specializes in helping your child and your family.
Finally, many ABA clinics will offer ABA therapy in a multitude of settings: the clinic, your home, your child’s school, or even a community center. This approach helps your child practice their newfound skills in real-time in their everyday environments.
Be sure to broach each of these subjects with any provider you’re considering.
The Provider Comparison Checklist
You can screenshot this checklist and even print it out. That way, you can show up at any clinic you visit and be prepared to ask critical questions.
Clinical quality and supervision
- Does the clinic have a clear assessment process?
- Is the supervisor involved?
- How often do they review goals with you?
Communication and parent training
- Does the BCBA or RBT explain your child’s progress in plain language?
- Do they include the parents in the planning process?
- Will they share strategies with you to use at home?
Consistency and staffing plan
- Does the clinic have a plan for staff absences or changes?
- How about a clear supervision structure?
- What kind of support do they offer to the staff to retain good therapists?
Assessment process and timeline
- Does the clinic have a transparent timeline for your child’s progress?
- Will you get a clear explanation for any next steps your family needs to take?
- Do you have the opportunity to ask questions early in the process?
Goals and progress updates
- Does the clinic set measurable, meaningful goals?
- Will you get regular progress reviews?
- How do the BCBA and RBT make adjustments when your child isn’t meeting goals as expected?
Setting options (in-home, clinic, school support)
- What kind of setting options does the clinic offer? In school? At home? In the clinic?
- How does the clinic rationalize the various settings?
- Will the clinic be flexible as your child’s needs change?
Scheduling and attendance policies
- Can the clinic justify the schedule they set for your child?
- What kinds of make-up sessions do they offer?
- Is there clear communication around cancellations?
Safety, background checks, and professionalism
- Is each staff member given a background check?
- Do all staff members have respectful interactions with kids and families?
- Is there an emphasis on dignity and safety?
While these categories and questions are helpful for in-person interviews, you may want to ask a few questions up front. Many times, you’ll get an initial call or consultation, and you can ask the following questions to get you started.
Questions to Ask on Your First Call
Consider asking:
- How do you decide which goals to work on first?
- How will I know therapy is working?
- How do you handle challenging behavior safely and respectfully?
- How often does the supervisor observe sessions?
- How do you involve parents or caregivers?
- What does the first 30 days look like?
- How do you coordinate with my child’s school, if needed?
- How often are goals reviewed?
- What happens if my child isn’t making progress?
- How do you handle staffing changes?
- What does communication look like between visits?
- How do you support skills outside of therapy sessions?
These questions will help you go beyond the surface-level answers you would otherwise get. You can gain more insight into how a provider supports families over time.
Insurance and Funding Basics in Pennsylvania
Of course, before you do anything else, you’ll likely want to know how much you’re going to have to pay for services and what kind of insurance coverage you’ll get.
Act 62 is Pennsylvania’s autism insurance mandate and helps many families access coverage for autism-related services through private insurance, CHIP, or MA/Medicaid, depending on the plan and situation.
Every year, Act 62 adjusts the “cap,” or maximum coverage provided for autism therapy. Make sure to double-check what this year’s cap is with your insurance provider.
You can use this quick checklist to ask any provider you’re interested in about their insurance process:
- Are you in-network with my plan?
- What documentation do you need?
- How long does authorization typically take?
- What will my out-of-pocket costs depend on?
Finding an ABA Provider Near You
You’ve likely already conducted an online search for “ABA provider near me.” It also helps when looking for ABA therapy in your area to search for specific cities, like Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Springfield, West Shore, York, and even Delaware County. Using the specific names of cities can help narrow your search further.
Also, consider whether you’re willing or able to travel for services. If not, you’ll want to find a clinic that offers therapy in your home or in your child’s school. This can also help your child integrate their skills more naturally into their daily routines.
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer because your child has unique needs. You also have a schedule and routine to address. Be sure to look for a clinic that works for you, and not the other way around.
Why Families Choose ABYay!
While there are many amazing clinics in Pennsylvania, ABYay! takes great pride in our ability to meet families where they are, in more ways than one. We check all those boxes on your checklist, including:
- Clear communication
- Family involvement
- Thoughtful supervision
- Support across real-life settings (when applicable)
Contact ABAYay! Today
If you’re comparing providers today, take this checklist with you. And, of course, schedule a conversation with us today.
We would love to help your family navigate autism through ABA therapy.
FAQs
Make the fit your top priority. Then look for qualified supervision and clear communication. Finally, make sure your chosen provider understands Pennsylvania-specific service and insurance considerations.
A BCBA is the supervisor and the one who will design and oversee your child’s treatment plan. An RBT is the professional who works directly with your child in therapy sessions under the supervision of the BCBA.
The number of hours your child spends in ABA therapy will be based on their specific needs. Your BCBA and RBT will determine this number after your initial assessment.
Make sure to ask about supervision, goals, communication, progress tracking, and how much family involvement the clinic allows for. You can use our checklist above.
You may be able to get coverage for ABA therapy through your private insurance, CHIP, or MA/ Medicaid. It will depend on your plan and your situation.
An ABA assessment will typically include a review of your child’s skills and needs. Then, the therapist will take your family’s priorities into consideration, which will help guide the goals you and your therapist set.
Once your child has been evaluated, the ABA timeline for starting therapy will be based on your insurance authorization and your provider’s availability.
Yes! Many clinics provide ABA therapy in your home, at school, in the clinic, or in a community setting. All of this will be based on your child’s needs.
