10 Questions to Ask Before Starting ABA Therapy

Asking the right questions helps you make an informed decision. Here are ten questions worth asking any potential ABA provider.

1. What are your BCBA supervision ratios?

This tells you how much direct oversight your child's program receives. Lower ratios generally mean more individualized BCBA attention.

2. How do you develop treatment goals?

Good providers involve families in goal-setting and focus on meaningful, functional skills—not just reducing behaviors.

3. What does your intake process look like?

Understanding the timeline from first contact to starting services helps you plan accordingly.

4. How do you handle staff transitions?

Therapist turnover is common in ABA. Ask how the provider manages transitions to minimize disruption.

5. What parent training do you offer?

Parent involvement is a key component of effective ABA. Ask about the format, frequency, and content of parent training.

6. How do you measure progress?

Providers should collect data regularly and share it with families in an understandable format.

7. What insurance plans do you accept?

Beyond just listing plans, ask about their experience with your specific insurance and whether they handle authorization.

8. How do you handle disagreements about treatment?

A good provider welcomes parent input and has a clear process for addressing concerns.

9. Do you coordinate with other providers?

If your child has other therapies (speech, OT, school services), coordination can improve consistency.

10. What is your approach to discharge planning?

ABA should have goals that work toward eventual independence from therapy. Ask about how they plan for transitions.

Using These Questions

These questions aren't meant to be a quiz—they're conversation starters. A provider's willingness to engage openly with your questions tells you something about their communication style and values.

This list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.