Navigating Your ABA Journey: Key Questions to Ask a New Provider

Introduction

Welcome to our latest entry in the Orchid Way blog series, where we aim to empower families on their journey through ABA therapy. Choosing the right ABA provider is a critical step in ensuring the best outcomes for your child. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of essential questions to ask potential ABA providers.

Guiding Questions

These questions are designed to align with the Orchid Way—our commitment to creating life-changing outcomes:

1. What is Your Approach to ABA Therapy?
Every ABA provider has a unique approach to therapy. Ask about their methods, how they tailor strategies to each child, and how they incorporate the child’s interests into therapy. This question helps you understand if their style aligns with your child’s needs.

2. Can You Describe Your Experience with Cases Similar to My Child’s?
Experience matters, especially in cases similar to your child's. Inquire about the provider's background and success stories. This will give you an idea of their expertise and ability to handle your child’s specific challenges.

3. How Do You Measure and Track Progress?
Progress measurement is crucial in ABA therapy. Understand how the provider sets goals, tracks progress, and how often they update these goals. It’s important that these methods are transparent and collaborative.

4. What is Your Policy on Parental Involvement?
At Orchid, we believe in the power of collaborative therapy. Ask about how they view parental involvement, what kind of training or resources they provide for parents, and how they incorporate your input into the therapy process.

5. How Do You Handle Challenging Behaviors?
Understanding how a provider handles challenging behaviors is key. It's important that their methods align with your values and your child's needs, ensuring a safe and positive environment.

6. What is Your Communication Style and Frequency?
Regular and clear communication is vital. Find out how often and through what means they will update you on your child’s progress and any concerns.

7. Can You Explain Your Team’s Credentials and Training?
Knowing the qualifications and ongoing training of the team who will work with your child brings peace of mind. It ensures that your child is in capable hands.

8. Who are the owners, and what are their promises?
Understanding the leadership behind a therapy provider can be as important as knowing the therapy itself. At Orchid, our owners are not just administrators; they are dedicated professionals deeply invested in creating life-changing outcomes for learners, families, and team members.

Conclusion

At Orchid, the heart of our mission stems from the personal journey and dedication of our founders. As professionals and parents deeply rooted in the world of autism and special education, they bring a unique and compassionate perspective to our services.

• From the Classroom to Leadership: Our journey began in the special education classroom. As a former special education paraeducator, teacher, and now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), our founder's professional path is driven by a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of individuals with developmental disorders.

• A Family's Journey: Our founders' personal experience is also deeply intertwined with the world of autism. As parents of a child with autism, they understand the challenges, joys, and nuances that come with this journey. This personal connection fuels their passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of other families navigating similar paths.

• A Promise of Empathy and Excellence: Their dual perspective as professionals and parents equips them with an unparalleled understanding of the needs and concerns of both the families and the children we serve. They promise not just excellence in ABA therapy, but a level of empathy, understanding, and support that only comes from personal experience.

• Driven by Personal Experience, Guided by Professional Expertise: Orchid is more than just a therapy center; it's a culmination of professional expertise and personal passion. Our founders' unique journey inspires our approach to care – one that’s deeply empathetic, highly individualized, and constantly evolving to meet the diverse needs of our community.

This blend of personal insight and professional expertise is what makes Orchid stand out. We’re not just providers; we’re partners on this journey with you, understanding every challenge and celebrating every milestone alongside you and your family.

Selecting the right ABA provider is a significant decision for your family. By asking these questions, you can better understand potential providers and how well they align with your family’s needs. Remember, the right provider is out there, and your child’s successful journey is just around the corner.